3 things to expect in Denver Broncos vs Houston Texans matchup
The Denver Broncos host the Houston Texans at Empower Field on Sunday following a devastating loss to the Seahawks on Monday Night. The Broncos have already turned the page and are focused on their next opponent. What’s done is done. That game came down to the wire but the team’s decision to attempt a field goal instead of attempting a fourth and five was highly scrutinized.
Of course, the loss was followed by some taking to social media to pull the plug on Nathaniel Hackett already, which is obviously just ridiculous. That being said, onto the next game, where the Broncos get to host the Texans in Week 2.
Denver Broncos #1 thing to expect vs Texans: An even better Russell Wilson…
In week one, the Broncos were just getting their feet wet. It’s a new offense and a new defense that they have this year as well as a new head coach and a quarterback who, while successful in Seattle, is new on the team.
Naturally, it’ll take some time to get things going.
We got the distraction of Russell Wilson’s return to Seattle out of the way. While players and coaches would tell you that it’s business as usual, that just didn’t seem to be the case on Monday night, specifically with the amount of booing aimed at Wilson.
The media talked about the return as was to be expected. Wilson was asked about it many times. It’s hard to not call that a distraction. Even still, Wilson went 29 of 42 for 340 yards and one touchdown against his former team. His completion percentage would have been better if not for a number of drops by his receiving targets.
Denver Broncos #2 thing to expect vs Texans: Everybody on the Texans being involved in the passing game…
If there was one major concern about the Denver Broncos’ defense it was their inside linebacker position. With Jonas Griffith and Josey Jewell out, Alex Singleton was in and it did not go well… at all. Singleton’s debut as a Bronco was low-lighted by a missed opportunity of a sack of Geno Smith in which Singleton was on a blitz but overshot Smith.
That’s something that absolutely cannot happen if you’re playing against the Texans in Week 2. I personally view this as a should-win, but if the Broncos make too many mistakes, it won’t be a win. The Texans completed five passes to running back Rex Burkhead against the Indianapolis Colts. They completed 18 more between eight other targets, including O.J. Howard and Brandin Cooks, both of which can take the top off a defense with their speed and physicality.
Denver Broncos #3 thing to expect vs Texans: A more-balanced offense…
While we now have a future Hall of Fame quarterback, it is not ideal to have him throw the football nearly 50 times in a game. That is what the Broncos did against the Seahawks. Wilson threw the ball 42 times. The Broncos ran the football just 19 times—18 if you don’t count Wilson’s one scramble for two yards.
I absolutely fully endorse Wilson leading this team in the passing game, but it is crucial to have a balanced offense. Run the football, throw the football, sprinkle in play action. I also don’t necessarily want to see a whole lot of gadget plays such as end-arounds and jet sweeps unless the Broncos see the perfect look from the Texans’ defense. I just can’t have them trying to look too cute, as they say.
We have two solid running backs in Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams. Unfortunately, both of those players fumbled the football on Monday, which negated long drives to the goal line.
The run game will have to be locked in. I’m fairly confident in the pass game as of right now. The sky is not falling, but there are things to clean up on offense.