Two teams that did everything they could to lose in Week 1 will go for their first win of 2022 Sunday when the Houston Texans (0-0-1) visit the Denver Broncos (0-1). Read on for a breakdown of the Texans vs. Broncos matchups, the key injuries, and game predictions from our NFL staff.
Houston Texans vs. Denver Broncos preview
Where to begin? Let’s start the conversation where Week 1 ended: with the most boneheaded coaching decision of the young season. Nathaniel Hackett, the NFL’s renaissance man, significantly shortened his honeymoon by dialing up a 64-yard field goal instead of letting Russell Wilson throw on fourth-and-5 late in regulation. Brandon McManus’ kick, of course, sailed wide, and less than 24 hours after defending his decision, Hackett reversed course.
“Looking back at it, definitely should have gone for it,” Hackett said. It’s good he’s learned from his mistakes. Perhaps now that he has, he’ll learn from the worst goal-to-go offense we’ve ever seen. The Broncos had three shots at it against the Seahawks and came away with three points — thanks to two fumbles at the 1. Oh-for-four in the red zone is how a team that racked up 433 yards could score 16 points.
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The Texans, meanwhile, had their own face-slapper. A team with no expectations had played the favored Colts to a draw for 69 1/2 minutes, and that draw was apparently good enough for Lovie Smith. Instead of going for it on fourth-and-3 at the Indianapolis 49 with 26 seconds left in overtime, Smith elected to punt.
Smith’s explanation? “I felt like a tie was better than a potential loss.” Yeesh. The Texans — who averaged 2.8 yards per carry and 4.4 yards per play — had no business being in that game to begin with, so they were playing with house money. Davis Mills played it safe, too, avoiding interceptions and throwing two touchdowns but averaging just 6.5 yards per pass.
Texans vs. Broncos prediction
Betting line (courtesy of Caesars)
Broncos -10; Broncos -480, Texans +360; O/U 45
Adam Beasley’s prediction
8-8-1 straight-up, 8-9 against the spread in 2022
Broncos 30, Texans 21
Dalton Miller’s prediction
9-7-1 straight-up, 8-9 against the spread in 2022
Broncos 21, Texans 17
Dallas Robinson’s prediction
9-7-1 straight-up, 6-11 against the spread in 2022
Broncos 27, Texans 19
How to watch Texans vs. Broncos
- Date/Time
Sunday, Sept. 18, 4:25 p.m. ET - Channel
CBS - Live streams
CBS All-Access, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV
Texans vs. Broncos matchup and stats
There are many storied rivalries in the history of the National Football League. Texans-Broncos is not one of them. This will be just the ninth time these teams will meet, and the first since 2019 (a game the Broncos won 38-24). We can’t even give you a fun Hackett-Smith factoid. Despite a combined 33 years of NFL coaching experience, they’ve never been on the same staff.
Houston Texans 2022 stats/rankings
- Scoring: 20.0 (T-17th)
- Yards: 293.0 (23rd)
- Yards per play: 4.4 (28th)
- Passing: 222.0 (17th)
- Rushing: 77.0 (23rd)
- Defensive scoring: 20.0 (T-12th)
- Yards allowed: 517.0 (32nd)
- Yards per play allowed: 5.7 (21st)
- Pass defense: 340.0 (31st)
- Rush defense: 177.0 (27th)
Denver Broncos 2022 stats/rankings
- Scoring: 16.0 (26th)
- Yards: 433.0 (fourth)
- Yards per play: 6.8 (fourth)
- Passing: 330.0 (third)
- Rushing: 103.0 (T-16th)
- Defensive scoring: 17.0 (eighth)
- Yards allowed: 253.0 (fourth)
- Yards per play allowed: 5.2 (12th)
- Pass defense: 177.0 (sixth)
- Rush defense: 76.0 (T-eighth)
Injuries to know
Houston Texans
- C Justin Britt (personal matter, out)
- TE Brevin Jordan (ankle, questionable)
- DL Mario Addison (injured reserve)
- LB Christian Harris (injured reserve)
- TE Teagan Quitoriano (injured reserve)
- DL Derek Rivers (injured reserve)
- DB Kendall Sheffield (injured reserve)
- DB Tavierre Thomas (injured reserve)
- WR John Metchie III (non-football injury)
Denver Broncos
- WR K.J. Hamler (knee/hip, out)
- OL Quinn Meinerz (hamstring, out)
- OLB Randy Gregory (shoulder/knee, questionable)
- ILB Josey Jewell (calf, questionable)
- DL DeShawn Williams (back, questionable)
- CB K’Wuan Williams (wrist, questionable)
- OL Billy Turner (knee, questionable)
- LB Christopher Allen (injured reserve)
- RB Damarea Crockett (injured reserve)
- TE Greg Dulcich (injured reserve)
- WR Brandon Johnson (injured reserve)
- CB Michael Ojemudia (injured reserve)
- WR Tim Patrick (injured reserve)
- S Justin Simmons (injured reserve)
- OL Tom Compton (physically unable to perform)
