Broncos Pick 'Em: Is Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans a must-win for Denver?

Well, that’s not how Russell Wilson’s first start as a Denver Bronco was supposed to end. But, as Nathaniel Hackett said, the team is on to Week 2 and the Houston Texans.

After a surprising and unexpected loss in Week 1, is Denver’s second game of the season already a must-win?

The DNVR Broncos Crew debates in the second installment of Broncos Pick ’em.

All odds below are courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.

Is Sunday’s game a must-win for the Broncos?

Zac: Absolutely — Could the Broncos roll off 15-straight wins after starting 0-2? Sure. Could they finish the season on a 11-4 run to secure a playoff spot? Of course they could. Would it be likely? No chance. Probable? Not at all, especially with the Broncos’ brutal schedule after their Bye Week.

And that’s just what Denver would have to do in order to have a successful season. The Broncos didn’t trade away the future for Russell Wilson in order to miss the playoffs this year. To make sure Denver gets to the postseason, and thus has a successful season, they have to get 11 wins.

Losing to the Texans wouldn’t just put Denver in a massive hole statistically—no team that started 0-2 last year made the playoffs—it would significantly change the outlook of this team. If the Broncos can’t beat the Seahawks and the Texans, they’ll be in big trouble against the three other AFC West teams.

RK: Yes — In reality, I’m somewhere in between here, but there reality is this: From 1990 to 2019, only 12 percent of teams to go 0-2 made the playoffs. Then, they expanded the playoffs to seven teams per conference, which should have helped, but since then zero teams have made the playoffs that started 0-2.

To be honest, though, that stat is not what makes this a must-win game for me. If anyone can pull off a 12% miracle like that it would be Russell Wilson. What makes this a must-win game to me is what it would say about the Broncos if they start the season with lossess to the Seahawks and Texans, two of the worst teams in the NFL. To me, that would say that everything we thought about the Broncos being “a quarterback away” was wrong.

One loss like that is an anomaly, two in a row is a trend. Win or we have some serious questions about the construction of this roster.

Hank: Not quite — I get it, nobody wants an 0-2 start. Especially when you’re the second-biggest favorite this week, according to FiveThirtyEight. It’s a serious hole to dig out of. But winning 10 of 15 the rest of the way is totally doable for this team.

Don’t forget about Peyton Manning’s first Broncos team opening up with two wins in five games but finishing 13-3. Change takes time to set in.

Sunday’s game is important because it prevents the Sunday Night Football matchup against the 49ers from becoming a must-win game. That game would take on playoff importance but with an apprehensive atmosphere. A bad combo. There’s no coming back from 0-3 without a miracle.

Picks Picks Picks

Russell Wilson passing + rushing yards over/under 254.5

Zac: Over. Easily.

RK: Over.

Hank: Over. I took his under last week and paid the price. Sorry, Russ.

Davis Mills passing yards over/under 223.5

Zac: Under.

RK: Under.

Hank: Over. He’s hit this in seven of his last 10 full games.

Javonte Williams rushing yards over/under 59.5

Zac: Over.

RK: Over.

Hank: Under.

Dameon Pierce rushing yards over/under 42.5

Zac: Over.

RK: Under.

Hank: Under. The staff likes Rex Burkhead.

Jerry Jeudy receiving yards over/under 58.5

Zac: Over.

RK: Over.

Hank: Over.

Courtland Sutton receiving yards over/under 52.5

Zac: Over.

RK: Under.

Hank: Over.

Brandin Cooks receiving yards over/under 63.5

Zac: Under.

RK: Over.

Hank: Over.

Brandon McManus kicking points over/under 7.5

Zac: Over.

RK: Under. Touchdowns this week.

Hank: Under.

Texans total points over/under 17.5

Zac: Under.

RK: Under.

Hank: Under.

Broncos @ Texans total points: 45

Zac: Over. Slightly.

RK: Under.

Hank: Over.

Texans @ Broncos (-10)

Zac: Broncos.

RK: Broncos win but Texans cover.

Hank: Broncos.

Cardinals @ Raiders (-5.5)

Zac: Cardinals. Too many points.

RK: Cards.

Hank: Raiders.

Leaderboard

Last week

Zac: 6-4

RK: 5-5

Hank: 4-6

Overall

Zac: 6-4

RK: 5-5

Hank: 4-6