Denver vs Houston NFL Handicapping
In what was originally billed during preseason as the AFC matchup of the year, the Denver Broncos will travel to Houston on Sunday to take on the Texans who are looking to avoid their 13th consecutive defeat.
When: Sunday, Dec.22, 2013 at 1 p.m. EST
Where: Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas
TV: CBS
LINE: +10 (Texans), O/U 52.5
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Denver (11-3) in the meantime can inch a little close to grabbing the AFC West title with a win, after losing to 27-20 last week at home to San Diego.
The high-octane Denver offense was held to season lows of 20 points and 295 yards in its loss to the Chargers, and will once again be without receiver Wes Welker who is out for the second straight game with a concussion.
That shouldn’t slow down the Broncos too much though, as quarterback Peyton Manning can still rely on on a bevy of talented receivers, such as Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas, both who have surpassed 1,000 yards this season.
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Denver is the is the first team in NFL history to have four players score at least 10 touchdowns in a season, and Manning leads the pack with 47 touchdown passes on nearly 5,000 yards. Four shy of passing up Tom Brady’s league record of 50.
Meanwhile, running back. Knowshon Moreno has racked up 939 yards, breathing new life into Denver’s rushing attack.
Defensively, the Broncos stop the run pretty well, and hadn’t allowed a 100-yard rusher all season until San Diego’s Ryan Mathews rushed for 127 on Dec. 12. They will look to bounce back against the Texans, who will be without leading rusher Ben Tate.
Tate has rushed for 771 rushing yards, but was placed on injured reserve earlier this week along with quarterback Case Keenum.
In the wake of Keenum’s injury, the Texans (2-12) have reactivated starting signal caller Matt Schaub, who will return after being injured and pulled earlier in the season following a dismal start that produced just nine touchdowns to 10 interceptions.
On the defensive side of the football, the Texans rank fourth in total defense and are led by standout defensive end J.J. Watt, who will look to apply some pressure to Manning. Watt leads the Texans with 9.5 sacks.
Matt’s Free Prediction
I think Christmas will come a few days early for Denver fans, as Manning and company have a field day in Houston, rolling over the Texans on their way to the AFC crown.
Broncos 42, Texans 20
