Offense — C
The running game, so good last week at Kansas City, mostly hit a brick wall against Houston, gaining only 75 yards on 20 carries (22 yards on one attempt). Quarterback Case Keenum played his first turnover-free game of the year (26-of-42 passing for 290 yards and one touchdown). Tight end had 10 catches for 83 yards and tight end ’s only catch gained 44 yards. Like other parts of this team, the offense hurts itself with missed blocks, missed throws and missed opportunities. Losing center (fractured fibula) is a huge loss.
Defense — C
The rush defense continues to dig itself out of the hole that was self-created last month. Texans running backs combined for only 60 yards on 27 carries. The pass rush was relatively consistent, posting four sacks and forcing quarterback Deshaun Watson into several throwaways. But this remains a defense that commits penalties at the wrong time (such as safety Su’a Cravens’ holding call on third-and-11). They eventually forced a punt late in the game, but not until Houston flipped the field and ran nearly four minutes off the clock. All told, though, it should have been a winning effort.
Special teams — F
made his first 11 field-goal attempts this year, but has missed three over the last two games. He missed a 62-yarder at the end of the first half and a 51-yarder at the end of the game. “Terrible kicks,” he said. Punter Colby Wadman averaged 44 net yards on five attempts, including a 59-yard attempt. His consistency, though, leaves a lot to be desired. The Broncos have an issue in the return game. It was left to veteran Adam Jones to handle punt and kick returns and he averaged 2.4 yards on five punt returns. Rookie DaeSean Hamilton’s return should boost a stagnant return game.
Coaching — D
Where do we start with ? The first half or the second half? Letap start with the first half. A 62-yard field goal is a big ask, even at altitude, and he admitted he got “greedy.” McManus’ miss set Houston up for a field goal that it made. And at the end of the game, the Broncos went the spot-the-ball-for-McManus route instead of trying to gain yards and make his attempt shorter. The run game was bottled up for three quarters and the biggest gain was running to the edge for 22 yards. They should have challenged the Texans on the perimeter more often.
Game Balls
TE Jeff Heuerman. His career high entering Sunday was four catches. He more than doubled that with 10 receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown.
LB Todd Davis. Playing with a leg injury sustained in the first half, he still made a game-high 10 tackles.
LB Bradley Chubb. He posted a sack and five other tackles, including two for lost yardage.
