The Denver Broncos lost their first game since mid-October on Sunday, and this time, they lost to another playoff contender in the Houston Texans. If Denver misses the playoffs by one game, this will be the game everyone points to as the one that got away.
Here are studs and duds from the 22-17 loss.
Stud: Running game
The Denver Broncos ran for over 100 yards Sunday, finishing with 118 overall. Javonte Williams led the way with 46 yards on 13 carries. When Denver is able to build a lead and rely on the run, they can win football games with their rushing attack. Unfortunately, the Broncos played from behind for almost all of Sunday’s game.
Dud: Turnovers
For the first time in five weeks, the Broncos did not create a turnover. On the other side of the ball, Houston intercepted quarterback Russell Wilson three times, which in the NFL, is typically a death knell for teams to win games. The Texans scored seven points off Broncos turnovers, which ends up being the deciding points of the game.
Dud: Getting started early
The Denver Broncos never led in the game, and one could point to the opening drive and say it was the catalyst for a less-than-stellar day. On that drive, Wilson threw two passes to wide receiver Courtland Sutton; the first was into double coverage, and knocked away. The second hit Sutton right in the hands, and he dropped the pass, which would have been a 25-30 yard gain. The Broncos punted four times out of five drives in the first half, and were down at halftime 13-3.
Dud: Alex Singleton
Although Singleton finished with a game-high 12 tackles (eight solo), a penalty by Singleton made the ultimate difference in the game. On Houston’s third drive, and on a fourth-and-two inside the Denver 10, the play was originally blown dead due to a false start. Singleton continued the play, eventually shoving Texans quarterback CJ Stroud, earning an unnecessary roughness penalty, giving Houston new life, and, two plays later, paydirt. This gave the Texans a 10-0 lead in the first quarter. That penalty should never have happened, and it could have cost Denver the game. Consequential penalties were a constant through the game.
Dud: End of a win streak
During the game, the Broncos reverted to some of the ugly habits that caused the team to start 1-5. The worst stat from Sunday may be third downs: Denver went 0-for-third-down (0-11) during the game. Denver failed to create turnovers, played from behind and ultimately came up short in a battle between two potential playoff teams. It is too soon to tell if this loss is the backbreaker for the season, but it was a winnable game, and Denver needs to go into Los Angeles next week with a spark under their backsides.
