Brock Osweiler’s return to the Mile High City was not a happy one for the former backup quarterback who famously left the Denver Broncos in the offseason. In a game that was all about the running attacks and defenses, Osweiller rarely threatened the Broncos vaunted defense.
The real problem for Denver’s star-studded group was the Houston Texans running game early on, who broke off a pair of big runs in the early going to put Houston up 6-0. Lamar Miller gashed the defense with a 25-yard gain off left tackle and Alfred Blue found another 17 in back-to-back drives to setup the two Houston field goals.
In the second quarter, after three consecutive punts to start the game, the Broncos offense showed some life. Devontae Booker and C.J. Anderson got rolling and Trevor Siemian ran the offense smoothly. Without facing a single third down, Denver got down the field in rhythm. C.J. Anderson found the end zone with a 7-yard touchdown run, giving the Broncos a 7-6 lead they wouldn’t relinquish for the rest of the game.
The Broncos very next offensive drive went very much in the same way as Booker began to shine. The young rookie ran his way to three consecutive first downs, leaving the Texans defense short of answers to the bruising youngster. After the rookie lay the foundation, Siemian found Emmanuel Sanders first for a 29-yard gain and then Demaryius Thomas for a 4-yard score on 3rd and goal. Just like that, the Broncos were up 14-6 going into halftime.
In the second half, Houston put up a fight, finding another field goal to close the gap to 14-9 and stopping the rhythm Denver’s offense had going. Just as the Texans began to find some offensive rhythm themselves, T.J. Ward came up with the hit of the game with a booming whack to the ball with his helmet forcing a Blue fumble and the first Broncos turnover.
That was all the attack needed. Setting Houston up with some more big runs, this time by Anderson, Siemian again put the dagger into the Texans with a big gainer to Sanders. This time a 31-yard back shoulder pass, putting Denver at the doorstep again. Booker would score with a run up the gut two plays later pushing the lead to 21-9, Broncos.
The defense gave Osweiler and the Texans headaches all game. The pass rush forced lots of ugly passes from the $72 million dollar man and Aqib Talib blanketed DeAndre Hopkins the entire game. Brock would cough the ball up in embarrassing fashion to seal the game soon after that and two more Broncos field goals would bring the game to its final score, 27-9.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Talib certainly merits serious consideration for his otherworldly job on Hopkins most of the game but how can you not give it to C.J. Anderson? Anderson didn’t have to run with volume but he sure was efficient. In only 16 carries, he managed 107 yards and 1 touchdown, for an outstanding average of 6.7 per run.
C.J.’s longest run was only 16 yards but he seemed to eat up 8-10 yards every carry. That’s the staple of a Gary Kubiak offense, not a home run threat back but one who can slowly but surely eat up yards and wear you out.
PLAY OF THE GAME
This has to be the Ward forced fumble. Mind you, this isn’t just a spectacular play or big play because it’s a turnover but this was also a giant momentum-swinging play as the Texans were driving while trailing by only 5 points. The Ward forced fumble came on a huge 3rd and 5 and turned the game around.
It’s also one hell of a hit!
That @Broncos D!
Forced fumble.
Fumble recovery.
Going the other way! #HOUvsDEN https://t.co/uy1bdIF4Uc— NFL (@NFL) October 25, 2016
QUOTE OF THE GAME
“Devontae is pushing CJ to be the best he can be and CJ responded.”
– Head coach Gary Kubiak
TURNING POINT
A huge turning point was obviously the play of the game as mentioned above. But even more so were the two offensive drives that got the Broncos on the board and leading by more than a touchdown at the end of the first half.
The second scoring drive, in particular, when the Broncos didn’t face a single third down until the goal line. Booker getting the offense in rhythm and setting up the passing game to the outside was huge in that scenario.
Also, Denver found some much needed red zone efficiency in this one, finding a way to punch the ball home in it’s first three attempts.
BY THE NUMBERS
190 – The Broncos rushed for their highest total of the season, surpassing the century mark for only the third time this year and the first time since Week 2. Both Broncos runners looked in fine shape and rushed for a combined average of 5.8 yards per carry.
131– In his return to Denver, Brock Osweiler had his lowest passing total of the season while only completing 22/41 passes. A rough outing to say the least.
140– Denver’s defensive struggles on the ground continued as the defense allowed 140 yards Monday Night. This is the fifth game already, in seven, which the Broncos have allowed 100 yards rushing or more.
LASTING IMPACT
This was a big win in keeping pace with the rest of the AFC West. The top three teams sit atop the division with two losses each while the San Diego Chargers are slowly climbing their way back into contention. In what is looking like the best division in football, Denver needed this ‘W’ and got it.
Offensively, this was an example of a pure Kubiak offense. The run set up the passing game and broke off consistent 10-yard gains to keep the chains moving and everything in rhythm.
With a game plan like that, it’s easy for Siemian to then find his spots and make a difference in the passing game. Booker had a breakout game and showed how using him more can aid in keeping Anderson fresher. Look for the RBs by committee and emphasis on the run to continue.
WHAT’S NEXT
After a long week, the Broncos will have a quick turnaround as they’ll face the Chargers again for the second time in three weeks. After a tough loss in San Diego on Thursday night look for Denver to have fixed some key issues in their approach to try and even the score with the Bolts.
