Texans at Broncos: 3 things we learned from Denver

The Houston Texans traveled to Denver to take on the Broncos in an AFC matchup on Monday Night Football. Here is three things we learned.

Brock Osweiler made a not-so triumphant return to Denver on Monday night, as the Broncos throttled the Houston Texans by a score of 27-9. Osweiler struggled all night, fumbling the ball three times, as he just could not move the ball with any consistency. Denver returned to the win column after losing two straight, and appear to be rounding into playoff form.

Houston jumped out to an early 6-0 lead through the first quarter, as Nick Novak kicked two field goals in the opening frame. However, Denver got the ball rolling in the second quarter, scoring two touchdowns. They would head into the locker room with a 14-6 lead, and really had taken control of the momentum in the game.

In the third quarter, Novak would make his third field goal of the game, cutting the lead to five, but that was as close as they would get. Rookie running back Devontae Booker scored the first touchdown of his young career late in the third quarter, giving the Broncos a 21-9 lead. A Brandon McManus field goal would extend the lead to 24-9, and the Broncos would put the game away from there.

With the AFC Week 7 matchup in the books, let’s take a look at the three things we learned from Monday night’s action.

1. Denver has a two-headed monster at running back

There was plenty of talk of rookie Devontae Booker taking the starting spot from C.J. Anderson prior to Monday night’s game. The fact is, the Broncos do not need to name either player the starter, as both appear to have the ability to shoulder the load. Having two stellar running backs is definitely a plus in this league, where it is proven you can win with a good running game and a solid defense.

On Monday night, both Booker and Anderson scored touchdowns, and each of them showcased a different kind of skill set. Anderson is a shifty running back, who can make people miss in open space. Booker likes to run people over, and showed incredible strength on his one-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.

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Trevor Siemian is still figuring it out, and having both Anderson and Booker in the backfield is a luxury any young quarterback would like to have. The Broncos’ ability to run the ball effectively allowed Siemian to take some chances downfield, and he connected a few times for long gainers in the passing game. Denver’s defense is the class of the AFC West, and their running backs are not too far off.

2. Brock Osweiler was not worth the money

Sure, it is only seven games into the Houston Texans career of Brock Osweiler. On Monday night, Osweiler headed back to Denver to take on the Broncos in enemy territory, and he was downright awful. He just looks confused under center, and he definitely does not look like someone who deserves a four-year, $72 million deal.

I know he is young, and it is only his 14th career start. However, you have to be concerned if you are a member of the front office of the Houston Texans. When he looks bad, he is awful, and does not look like the kind of quarterback who can get you to the Promised Land. There have been six starting quarterbacks under head coach Bill O’Brien, and the organization was hoping that Osweiler would be the franchise quarterback they have been missing.

Osweiler is a big kid, and he has a ton of weapons on the offensive side of the ball. DeAndre Hopkins is one of the better wide receivers in football, and Lamar Miller appears to be a great pickup. The Texans will retain sole possession of first place in the AFC South even with the loss, so Osweiler needs to get his stuff together if they are going to actually be a contender in the AFC.

3. The Broncos defense is as good as advertised

Do not be mistaken. The Denver Broncos defense is first class, and they put the hurting on the Houston Texans on Monday night. Playing without DeMarcus Ware once again, the Broncos were dominant against both the pass and the run, and made Brock Osweiler’s homecoming a living hell. The AFC West is one of the best divisions in all of football in 2016, and the Broncos just may be the best of the bunch.

On a team with a first-year starter at quarterback, the Broncos knew that their defense would have to be special this season. They came into the year rated as the best in all of football, and aside from a few hiccups, they have been as good as advertised. They continue to get better every week, and aside from the Patriots, they have allowed the least amount of points in the AFC this season.

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Next week, the Broncos will host the San Diego Chargers, who beat them two weeks ago by the score of 21-13. They will travel to Oakland to take on the 5-2 Raiders the following week, in a game that should be for bragging rights in the AFC West. Denver has not allowed more than 23 points in a game this season, and on Monday, the Texans did not find the end zone the entire game.

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