Here are the heroes and zeros from the Broncos’ 22-17 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday afternoon at NRG Stadium.
Heroes
Denver’s situational defense: It could have been a rout by halftime. But the Broncos personified the bend-don’t-break ideal, making timely stops in the final third of the field. Houston was held to field goals of 29, 38 and 38 yards while Denver’s offense could do nothing but punt. The second of those field goals built the lead to its largest margin: only 13-0 despite total yards favoring the Texans 194-23 at that point early in the second quarter.
Stroud to Collins: As much as the Broncos’ defense deserved credit for keeping them in the game, the one thing they couldn’t contain was Houston’s young quarterback-receiver connection. Nico Collins compiled 191 receiving yards on nine catches including the decisive touchdown from C.J. Stroud early in the fourth. They also connected for a pair of 50-yard receptions.
Wilson’s downfield passing: In a game characterized early by Denver’s offensive futility, the Broncos rallied by suddenly figuring out how to make explosive plays through the air. Russell Wilson hit Courtland Sutton with a 45-yard touchdown on a deep ball to cut the deficit to 16-10, then to set up Denver’s other touchdown, Sean Payton drew up a nifty play using Sutton’s route to get Jerry Jeudy open on a wheel downfield.
Zeros
Alex Singleton’s machismo: The linebacker lost his composure and cost the Broncos four points in one of the defining moments of the game. The Texans kept their offense on the field on fourth-and-2 in the red zone but committed a pre-snap penalty, seemingly backing them up five yards and forcing a field goal. But Singleton, rushing the passer as the play was blown dead, got baited by Stroud into a light shoving match. The unnecessary roughness penalty led to Houston’s only touchdown of the first three quarters.
Denver’s offensive line: Maybe former Crimson Tide star Will Anderson Jr. was inspired by the College Football Playoff selection committee’s controversial decision. Or maybe the Broncos just couldn’t block him. Anderson had a sack and four quarterback hits to spearhead a pass rush that chased Wilson all day in key moments, including the game-clinching interception with nine seconds left. Wilson threw three picks, but another one of those was an unmarked Anderson deflecting a pass to teammate Derek Stingley Jr. Denver was 0 for 11 on third down, and Wilson was scrambling on fourth downs to keep the Broncos alive before the final play.
Texans fans: For a state that prides itself on football fanaticism more than just about anywhere else in the U.S., Texas didn’t look like the fiercest road environment Sunday. The crowd in Houston was speckled with a startling amount of orange. Texans fans have tons of reasons to feel optimistic right now, from the breakout rookie season C.J. Stroud’s having to the team’s unexpected playoff contention. Instead, Broncos Country showed out in a pivotal game.
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