The Good, Bad & Ugly from Broncos' 22-17 Loss to Texans
The Denver Broncos knew Sunday's contest against the Houston Texans would have serious playoff implications, akin to a rock-throwing fight. Unfortunately, the Broncos' offense didn't pull any rocks out of the bag until the third quarter, as the Texans won 22-17.
This battle, marked by missed opportunities and late-game heroics, left the Broncos reflecting on what could have been in a game where they did not play their best football. As the postmortem continues, let's recount the good, bad, and ugly in the Broncos' sixth loss of the season.
The Good
Run Game Breaks 100
Despite a rocky start, the Broncos showed glimpses of excellence, especially in their rushing game. Javonte Williams led the charge with a hard-fought 46 rushing yards. Still, Russell Wilson added a spark with a crucial rushing touchdown, contributing 44 yards on the ground.
Wilson's overall rushing performance was a silver lining, displaying his dual-threat capabilities.
3 Explosive Pass Plays
Led by Courtland Sutton, Denver's receivers did make some significant plays. Sutton's 77 yards on just two receptions, including a stunning 45-yard touchdown catch, was a highlight, showcasing the explosive potential of this offense, while Jerry Jeudy's 41-yard reception late helped give the Broncos life.
Second-Half Defense
Not to be forgotten, the Broncos' defense made the game competitive by keeping the Texans' running game in check and seriously limiting C.J. Stroud in the second half, sacking him five times.
The Bad
Third Down Woes
The Broncos' third-down struggles were glaring, stymieing many promising drives. This inability to convert on critical downs left the offense sputtering and inconsistent.
Passing Game
Like being stuck in a time machine, Wilson's consistency in the passing game appeared to regress to last season. With a completion rate of just over 57% and three interceptions, his quarterback rating of 53.2 reflected a day when his precision and decision-making were not up to par.
These giveaways were pivotal, as the Broncos lost the turnover battle, a critical factor in their inability to sustain momentum and capitalize on scoring opportunities over the previous five-game winning streak.
The Ugly
Three-&-Outs
The ugliest aspect of this game was the Broncos' inability to utilize time and maintain possession productively. With a time of possession of just under 27 minutes compared to Houston's 33, the Broncos could have managed the game's pace.
While robust in certain aspects, the Broncos' defense could not compensate for the offense's shortcomings. Conspicuously, the Texans' Nico Collins torched the secondary for 191 yards, highlighting a significant risk in the Broncos' defensive scheme. This vulnerability against serious threats could be a concerning trend if defensive coordinator Vance Joseph does not address it promptly.
In a game where the Broncos' offense resembled a rusty engine — occasionally roaring to life but mostly sputtering — and their defense bent but didn't entirely break, this match against the Texans was a mixed bag. Wilson's dual-threat nature provided some solace.
However, his aerial misfires and the team's inability to maintain possession painted a picture of a team still searching for its identity. As the Broncos pick up the pieces, one can't help but chuckle at the irony of a team known for its high altitude struggling to get off the ground.
Denver's path ahead is steep and winding, but with tweaks and more consistency, head coach Sean Payton might find the right formula to regain momentum and compete for the team's increasingly sundowning playoff hopes.
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