Inside The Villain’s Venue: Denver Broncos vs. Houston Texans

Matt Schaub (8) hands off the ball to running back Arian Foster (23) in the first half of their game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. (Phil Sears-US PRESSWIRE)

As the Denver Broncos are just a day away from hosting the undefeated Houston Texans, I took the time to ask Riley Cavanagh, senior editor of Toro Times, some questions about the Houston Texans. The Broncos and the Texans have met just three times in franchise history to let’s go Inside the Villain’s Venue with Toro Times.

Predominantly Orange: The Broncos have been good at limiting yards on the ground in the first two weeks. In fact, they held the Steelers to 2.9 yards per carry in week one and then they held Michael Turner to 2.5 yards per carry in week two. Arian Foster is a different beast, however. Do you think they will be able to limit him? Talk about what Ben Tate brings to the Texans’ running attack. 

Toro Times: I think that the Texans have a strong rushing offense regardless of the new bodies on the right side. In fact the Texans lead the league in yards rushing to the right side. I believe that Arian Foster is patient and waits for his hole to open whereas Ben Tate is far more instinctive and plows straight towards where he thinks the hole will be, that’s his greatest strength and weakness.

PO: The Texans’ defense ranks first in the league in many categories, but they haven’t seen an offense led by the likes of Peyton Manning yet. Manning is 16-2 against the Texans all time. What will the team have to do to slow him down?

TT: While no Texan fan will ever be able to see Peyton Manning as anything but a threat, the defense has shown that they are the real deal. Peyton certainly hasn’t looked like himself and I’m excited to play him in week 3 as opposed to week 13 because once he has chemistry with his line and receivers it will be a tough matchup for anyone. J.J. Watt is an unbelievable player and while the Broncos line is pretty good everyone has had trouble with the second year man out of Wisconsin especially when we send Connor Barwin on a blitz from that side as well. In order to slow Manning down the front seven has to get pressure and Kareem Jackson has to continue to play to she standard that he set fro himself so far this year.

PO: Are you worried that the Texans might be too run-heavy? Matt Schaub does just have one passing touchdown in the first two weeks.

TT: The Texans are one of the most balanced teams in the NFL. Matt Schaub has thrown it 66 times and the running back stable of Foster, Tate and Forsett has rushed it 71 times. The offense takes what the defense gives them and has yet to commit a turnover. Also, while Schaub only has one touchdown he only has 30 yards fewer than Peyton Manning.

PO: Finally, your prediction for the game?

TT: I predict a Texan victory. I see the Texans as a Super Bowl team this year and in order to prove it to the rest of the world they need to have a victory against a potential playoff team.

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