Quick Hits: Texans vs. Broncos

As the Texans come down off the mountain top high of soundly defeating the New England Patriots at home last Sunday night, they welcome another AFC opponent to NRG this week in the ailing Denver Broncos, led by ex-Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco rookie QB Drew Lock.

While this has ALL the makings of a trap game, the Texans also have all the makings of a team about to go on a tear. While the any given Sunday principle is always in effect, the stats certainly tell a tale of Houstonvictory.

• Texans defeated the Broncos 19-17 in their last meeting on 11/4/2018.
• Broncos lead the all-time series 4-3.
• Houston beat the New England Patriots last week 28-22.
• Denver defeated the San Diego Chargers last week 23-20.
• The Texans offense is averaging 24.4 points per game while the defense is yielding 22.6.
• The Broncos offense is averaging 16.5 points per game while their defense is giving up 19.8.
• Houston’s offense is gaining 372.8 yards per game, their defense is surrendering 374.0.
• Denver’s offense is gaining 295.8 yards per game, their defense is surrendering 324.3.
• Deshaun Watson has completed 267 of 386 passes for 3133 yards, 23 touchdowns, 7 interceptions and a QB rating of 105.9.
• Drew Lock has completed 18 of 28 attempts for 134 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 pick and a rating of 84.5.
• Carlos Hyde has carried the rock 184 times for 853 at a yards per carry average of 4.6, scoring 4 touchdowns so far.
• Phillip Lindsay has 164 carries for 766, a 4.7 yards per carry average and 5 trips to the end zone.
• DeAndre Hopkins has 86 catches for 903 yards with a 10.5 yard per catch average, 6 receiving touchdowns and 1 touchdown pass.
• Courtland Sutton has 54 receptions for 906, 16.8 yards per catch and 6 touchdowns.
• Whitney Mercilus is still chasing his next sack, with 5.5 on the year so far. Jacob Martin has 2.5 in the last 2 games.
• Von Miller currently has 6 sacks.
• Tashaun Gipson has 2 interceptions.
• Justin Simmons has 3 interceptions.
• The Texans are +1 in turnover differential with 15 takeaways and 14 giveaways.
• The Broncos are -1 with 12 takeaways and 13 giveaways.
• Deshaun Watson completed 18 of 25 passes (72%) with 3 TDs vs. 0 picks for 140.7 rating & had TD catch last week, becoming 2nd player in SB era (Jim McMahon) with 3+ pass TDs & rec. TD in single game.
• Watson passed for 1,237 yards (309.3 per game) with 13 TDs vs. INT for 133.9 rating in his past 4 at home.
• Watson threw for 213 yards with 2 TDs and 0 interceptions for 125.9 rating in last meeting. He has 2+ TD passes & 115+ rating in 4 of 5 career games vs. AFC West.
• Rookie QB Drew Lock passed for 134 yards with 2 TDs vs. 1 INT for 84.5 rating in 1st career start last week.
• Romeo Crennel has made a career out of feasting on rookie quarterbacks.
• Duke Johnson had 90 scrimmage yards (season-high 54 rec., 36 rush) & 1 touchdown catch last week. He’s going for his 3rd in row vs. AFC West with a receiving touchdown.
• Carlos Hyde has 199 rush yards (99.5 per game) & rush TD in his past 2 vs. AFC West.
• Phillip Lindsay had 58 rush yards in Week 13 and 84 scrimmage yards (60 rush, 24 rec.) in last meeting. He’s shooting for 3rd in row vs. AFC South with 75+ scrimmage yards. Lindsay needs 51 scrimmage yards to become 3rd undrafted player in common-draft era with 1,000+ scrimmage yards in each of 1st 2 seasons.
• DeAndre Hopkins had 5 catches for 64 yards last week and 10 catches for 105 yards & TD in last meeting. Hopkins is only player in NFL with 900+ rec. yards & 75+ catches in each of past 6 seasons.
• Kenny Stills had 61 receiving yards & 1 TD catch in Week 13. He had 5 catches for 98 yards & TD in only career game vs. Den. (12/3/17 with Miami).
• Darren Fells had 1 touchdown catch last week & ties for NFL lead among TEs with 7 receiving TDs this season. Fells has a TD in 3 of past 4 at home.

• Courtland Sutton had 4 catches for team-high 74 yards & 2 TDs in Week 13. He had 57 rec. yards in last meeting. Sutton is hunting for 3rd in row vs. AFC South with 70+ rec. yards.
• Jeff Heuerman had TD catch & career highs in catches (10) & rec. yards (83) in last meeting. Has rec. TD in 2 of 3 career games vs. AFC South.
• Noah Fant leads all rookie TEs in rec. yards (379) & ranks 2nd with 31 catches. Has most catches & rec. yards by rookie TE in Denver’s history.
• Bradley Roby (ex Bronco) had 1 sack & 1 interception last week. He is 1 of 5 CBs with sack, INT & FF in 2019.
• Jacob Martin had career-high 1.5 sacks in Week 13. Aims for 3rd in row with sack.

• Zach Cunningham had half a sack last week. Aims for his 7th in row with 7+ tackles.
• Von Miller aims for his 3rd in row overall with sack & 4th in row on road with sack. He had 1 sack in last meeting. Miller currently has 7 TFL & 5 sacks in his past 4 vs. AFC South.
• Todd Davis led team with 10 tackles & had PD in Week 13. He had 1 PD in last meeting.
• Alexander Johnson had 9 tackles & 2 TFL last week.
• Dre’Mont Jones had 1 INT last week. Jones is the only AFC rookie defensive lineman with INT & sack this season.
• Justin Simmons aims for 4th in row vs. AFC South with PD. S WILL PARKS had 1st-career sack in Week 13.
• Former Texan Kareem Jackson has played in all 11 of Denver’s games in 2019. He has 1 interception, 1 forced fumble and 41 solo tackles with 3 tackles for loss.

While the Broncos certainly aren’t a team to sleep on, Houston should win this one. When it’s all over, several of these players will have some highlights to discuss next week. Who do you think that will be and how do you see them making their mark at NRG this Sunday?