A final look at the Broncos’ 19-17 loss to the on Sunday:
1. The Courtland Sutton Era began by him playing 56 snaps (his second-highest total of the season). He was targeted five times and had three catches for 57 yards: Twenty-one yards (19 yards after the catch) on third-and-8, a 43-yard would-be touchdown catch broken up by cornerback Shareece Wright, a pass break-up by cornerback/safety Kareem Jackson (seven yards downfield) and catches of 22 (10 YAC) and 14 (five YAC) yards.
2. Tight end caught 10 passes for 83 yards and 53 yards came post-catch. On his 12-yard touchdown, which came on third-and-goal and gave the Broncos their only lead (17-16), Heuerman caught quarterback ’s throw between two Texans defenders (Jackson and linebacker Bernardrick McKinney).
3. The Broncos rushed five or more players on 11 of 34 drop-backs by quarterback Deshaun Watson (32.3 percent). The sacks were by defensive ends (3.46 seconds, pressure created by linebacker ) and DeMarcus Walker (4.83, Watson crashed into a blocker and fell to the turf), Chubb (5.53 seconds, good coverage downfield) and linebacker (2.56 seconds when he went around the right edge).
4. Houston rushed five or more players on 14 of Keenum’s 45 drop-backs (31.1 percent). The Texans’ two sacks: Linebacker Jadeveon Clowney in 3.72 seconds when he lined up over left guard and knifed inside and defensive end in 2.57 seconds when he stunted inside and caught right guard Eli Wilkinson semi-off balance and used power to beat him.
5. We booked the Broncos with five missed tackles: One apiece by defensive end , cornerbacks Tramaine Brock and Adam Jones and safeties (a missed sack) and .
6. Gotsis spear-headed a solid run effort defending the run. The Broncos held their opponent without an explosive rush (at least a 12-yard gain) for the second consecutive game and their 15 run “stuffs” (gain of three or fewer yards) was their second-highest total of the season (16 against the Jets). Gotsis and linebacker had three “stuffs” apiece.
7. The Broncos’ final touchdown drive was led by running back . He gained 11 yards (two broken tackles) , caught a 12-yard pass and, two plays later, another 12-yard pass (underhand flip from Keenum) in which he broke two more tackles. But in yet another example of not building on momentum, the Broncos allowed Houston to take the lead on the ensuing drive. And then the Broncos did not answer. Lindsay gained five yards on two carries and Keenum was sacked by Clowney.
8. Wasted field position in the fourth quarter. The Broncos moved to the Texans’ 40 on Lindsay’s 22-yard run that was perfectly designed. Lindsay took the pitch and headed to the left edge. Sutton de-cleated safety Tyrann Mathieu with a block and left tackle Garett Bolles pushed Jackson out of the way some 15 yards downfield. But … Keenum threw it away on first down (Wilkinson allowed a pressure), Watt sacked Keenum on second down and his third down throw 30 yards downfield to was broken up. The Broncos punted.
9. The Texans were at their five-yard line after Gotsis drew a holding penalty. A chance for the Broncos to get a three-and-out and prime field position for a winning drive. But on first-and-15, rookie linebacker Josey Jewell made a rookie-type mistake. Watson was under pressure in the end zone. Instead of staying as the spy to running back , Jewell rushed to get Watson, who flipped it to an open Miller for a 16-yard gain.
10. Had the Broncos won, receiver ’ fourth-and-8 catch would have been the reason. Sanders started from the left slot and Jackson was in off coverage. Sanders used a double move – out-and-up route to not only get by Jackson but fool safety Justin Reid into thinking he was running a corner route toward the sideline. Keenum delivered an 18-yard dart to keep the game alive.
