Broncos vs. Texans: Week nine Madden simulation
By Tylor Walden
How do Madden and I see the game between the Denver Broncos and Houston Texans playing out? I go up against the CPU and figure out the results.
The Denver Broncos and Houston Texans face off in week nine of the NFL season. Both teams are on opposite ends. Houston is riding a winning streak that they hope continues along with their lead in the AFC South. The Denver Broncos, while a talented team, are on the outside looking in with a 3-5 record and currently in third place in the AFC West.
As it stands right now, the Broncos are the slight favorite to win against the Texans. But it will be difficult for the Broncos if their offense cannot get things rolling. Houston has a solid defense. They are in the top of the ranks in most categories.
It might be a defensive game. Which would not surprise me. Denver needs this game if they are going to have a shot at getting back to the playoffs.
We turn our attention to this game. And I decided to go up against Madden to see how the Broncos would fair against the Texans. A little note, injuries and releases were not updated, so some players that you see are either not with the team or not playing this weekend.
Let’s get to it.
The first quarter was mostly a defensive battle. One factor that I noticed while playing was that some of the play calls that were recommended were out of place. Might be a foreshadowing event.
Houston got on the board first. After an ill-advised interception by Case Keenum, shortly after Deshaun Watson threw one the play before, DeAndre Hopkins raced down the sidelines for the touchdown.
But Denver would respond back, as Case Keenum took them down the field. With less than ten second remaining in the first, Keenum found Courtland Sutton for the Broncos’ first touchdown.
The first quarter ended with both teams tied at seven. The second quarter was the same story, a defensive battle. But different results as far as points. After Chris Harris Jr. intercepted Watson for the second time today, the Broncos knocked on the door, but could not get into the end zone.
They would settle for a Brandon McManus field goal. Denver took the 10-7 lead. But right away, the Houston Texans responded. This time with a touchdown. The secondary was picked apart and the front seven could not get any pressure on Watson. Houston took a 14-10 lead into the half.
A nightmare start for the Denver Broncos began the third quarter. After forcing a three and out, Houston’s defense swarmed Case Keenum. As he dropped back, he was hit hard and fumbled the football. Jadeveon Clowney would scoop up the fumble and return it for a touchdown.
From that point on, the Broncos offense would either squander opportunities or get close and have a costly turnover. Denver had seven turnovers in the game. It clearly was not my best performance.
It seemed as if the rout was on, until Bradley Roby (who I know is not playing Sunday, apparently Madden did not know) intercepted Deshaun Watson. It was Watson’s third interception of the game. Roby took it all the way for a pick six. Denver decided to go for two and Keenum found Sutton in the end zone to convert the two points. With all the chaos, Denver was only down three.
The fourth quarter was a test of whose defense would come up with the bigger plays. Unfortunately, it was the Texans who showed up and made one or two bigger plays. Denver had an opportunity to get the game tying field goal as they were in Houston territory, but a Keenum interception sealed the deal.
It was a frustrating game as the offense could not get much going in the second half. The Broncos committed seven turnovers in the game. There were not a lot of positives that came out of the game. It was just that Denver could not take advantage of the situations that were given to them.
Chris Harris Jr. and Courtland Sutton were the bright spots of this game. Sutton did not record 100 yards receiving, but he made some big catches in key situations. And Chris Harris Jr.’s two interceptions helped slow down the Houston offense.
Hopefully the result on Sunday is a lot different than it was in this game.