Denver Broncos vs. Houston Texans: Week 2 preview and predictions

Denver Broncos vs. Houston Texans Top Storylines

Justin Simmons Lands on IR After Season Opener

The close loss the Denver Broncos suffered at the hands of the Denver Broncos was tough enough to take, but insult only added to injury followed by the news shortly after that Justin Simmons had suffered a thigh injury in the game and would be placed on Injured Reserve. He is eligible to return Week 6 against the Los Angeles Chargers.

It certainly is not the ideal way to start such a pivotal season, but with how well second-year safety Caden Sterns performed in his rookie campaign in 2021, along with PJ Locke and the addition of Anthony Harris, there is confidence the Broncos will make it through while Simmons recovers.

Texans Secure First Tie in Franchise History

Week One provided an interesting end result for fans of the Houston Texans as well, as they tied with their divisional rivals, the Indianapolis Colts, for the first time in the team’s history.

Though the Texans had the opportunity to try to take the lead with 26 seconds remaining in the game, they instead opted to punt, settling for the 20-20 tie. Coach Lovie Smith explained: “I felt like a tie was better than a loss in that situation” (per ESPN). While that thinking may be bizarre to some, especially considering that the Texans were in Colts territory, it does illustrate how much trust Smith placed in his defensive unit to keep the Colts from scoring one more time.

It is worth thinking that Smith will keep his same faith in his defense in Week 2, though facing an arguably tougher assignment against Russell Wilson and this potentially-loaded offense that is just waiting to explode.