In what could be the most important game for the Denver Broncos in the post-Manning era, they travel to Houston to face the Texans. Let's make three bold predictions for this pivotal matchup. We cannot overstate how important this game is. The Broncos will be in prime playoff position if they win this game, but could all but kiss their playoff hopes goodbye if they lose.
The breakout Texans are 6-5, and rookie QB CJ Stroud is playing elite-level football. Rookie head coach DeMeco Ryans has been a homerun hire thus far, and the Texans simply will be a handful. The Broncos are riding a five-game winning streak and are approaching some history.
Getting to 7-5 would be their best 12-game start since 2016, when they began the year 8-4 and finished 9-7. Let's make three bold predictions for the Broncos in Week 13.
Bold Prediction #1: The Denver Broncos block a punt
I have no idea why I feel this way, but I've felt it for multiple days now. The Broncos have had a handful of electric special teams plays, all by Marvin Mims Jr in the return game. He should make the Pro Bowl as a return specialist, which is insane given that he's only a rookie. Kicker Wil Lutz has been great this year, and he's even just won the Special Teams Player of the Month.
However, one part of the special teams that we haven't gotten much from is the punting side of things. Again, I have no idea why I feel this way, but I do. I think the Denver Broncos are going to block a punt in Week 13. And given how close this matchup will be, a play like that could be the deciding factor.
Bold Prediction #2: A Broncos' receiver has a 100-yard game
The Houston Texans have the 26th-ranked passing defense in 2023. They give up a ton of yards through the air, but have only allowed 11 passing touchdowns, which I find interesting. So, one thing that is certain is that the Denver Broncos and Russell Wilson should be able to move the ball through the air with ease.
This bodes well for the team's pass catchers, who could see WR Brandon Johnson return to the lineup. I do think a Broncos pass catcher will have a 100-yard game, and all of Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, and Marvin Mims Jr could do it. This might be a game where Mims can catch multiple long receptions like he did early in the season.
This could also be a game where Sutton is frequently targeted in the passing game. Russell Wilson seems to trust him the most. And Jerry Jeudy has the rare combination of route-running, separation, and speed to breakout at any moment. We may not see Wilson throw for three TD passes, but I think he can hit the 300-yard mark if the offense is forced to throw the ball a ton to stay in the game.
Wilson hasn't thrown for a ton of yards in recent games, and he might be forced to push the ball down the field in Week 13.
Bold Prediction #3: Texans miss a game-tying FG as time expires
I think we're in for another close game. During the team's winning streak, they've had close games three times, against the Green Bay Packers, Buffalo Bills, and Minnesota Vikings. Each of those games forced the Broncos to step up in some way as the clock ticked down. What I see happening, is the team taking the lead by three late in the game.
And I think the defense will be forced to come up with a stop. During the potential go-ahead drive by CJ Stroud and the Texans, the Broncos defense won't be able to stop them, as they'll get into FG range, but it'll be right on the edge. And guess what? With time running out, they'll miss the game-tying field goal, giving the Broncos the ball back to run out the clock.
And it'll be a sweet, sweet victory to continue the team's winning streak. They'd get to 7-5 with head-to-head tiebreakers over the Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, and Houston Texans, which all look like teams battling for a Wild Card spot. I don't think it'll be another game where the Broncos pull it away in the end.
This might be the second-best team Denver has played during their current win streak, and I don't think CJ Stroud being a rookie and this roster being young means that they can't hang around with a more veteran roster.