Russell Wilson makes his Denver debut for the Broncos in Week 2 as Denver looks to bounce back from Monday’s heartbreaking loss to the Seahawks. Stick here for live updates and analysis as the Broncos take on the Texans at Empower Field at Mile High.
Live updates
Fourth-quarter updates
Overcoming errors (8:24 p.m.): They commit too many penalties. They stink in the red zone. They have a coaching staff who needs a crash course in clock/situation/personnel management. And they are continuing to lose key players to injury.
But at least the Broncos aren鈥檛 winless. Read the full game analysis here. 鈥� Ryan O’Halloran
Not pretty (5:31 p.m.): Broncos win ugly against the Texans, 16-9, as Nathaniel Hackett gets his first win as Denver head coach. Jeudy, Surtain exited with shoulder injuries. The Empower Field crowd is more relieved than impressed. — Kyle Newman
Defense stands tall (5:28 p.m.): The Broncos’ defense held strong stopping Davis Mills and the Texans on their final offensive drive. Denver moves to 1-1 on the year. — Joe Nguyen
Late-game heroics (5:17 p.m.): Randy Gregory with the huge strip sack, but the Texans recover. — Joe Nguyen
馃槫 馃槫
馃摵: CBS
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos)
Up by 7 (5:14 p.m.): A Brandon McManus 50-yard field goal has be Broncos up by a touchdown, 16-9, with 3:36 to go. Now it’s up to the defense to hold on. The good news: Davis Mills is still taking snaps for the Texans. — Matt Schubert
Crowd support (5:10 p.m.): The crowd’s counting down the play clock for the Broncos. Seriously. — Joe Nguyen
Uneasy feels (5:09 p.m.): It’s salt-away the game time for Denver. We even had a Kendall Hinton sighting on second-and-long. The Broncos may hang on to win this, but nobody is going to feel particularly great about it. Broncos 13, Texans 9, with 6:14 to go. — Matt Schubert
No more timeouts (5:05 p.m.): Broncos use last timeout, 7:38 left. Offense was facing delay of game. — Ryan O’Halloran
The need to get all this dumb football out of their system NOW. And it's been a LOT of dumb football, kids.
— Sean Keeler (@SeanKeeler)
Blitz frenzy (5 p.m.): Broncos seem to like to blitz on third down. And it has been quite effective. — Mark Kiszla
Mile-high touchdown (4:54 p.m.): Finally, a couple of minutes into the fourth quarter, the Broncos finally found the end zone. And, yes, the touchdown-scoring play came outside the red zone — a 22-yard lofted pass from Russell Wilson to Eric Saubert that produced got Empower Field on its feet. Broncos 13, Texans 9 with 12:37 to go. — Matt Schubert
馃檶馃檶馃檶
馃摵: CBS
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos)
100-yard day (4:49 p.m.): With that 35-yard catch, Courtland Sutton has 112 yards receiving on the day. It’s his first 100-yard game since Oct. 10, 2021. — Joe Nguyen
Third-quarter analysis 鈥� Texans 9, Broncos 6
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: A tight-end option on third and 1. (Boo.) A 54-yard field goal attempt. (Boo.) A 5-yard penalty on a delay of game. (Boo.) With a minute left until in the fourth quarter, the Broncos had run 26 pass plays, while averaging just 3.5 yards per throw. Meanwhile, tailback Javonte Williams had picked up 77 yards all by himself on 11 touches 鈥� seven yards per tote. If it抖阴ap me, I feed No. 33 until the Texans make me stop. I mean, if I want to win. I鈥檓 not sure WHAT this offense wants to do right now, to be honest.
Mark Kiszla, sports columnist: Coach Nathaniel Hackett appears to have issues organizing his thoughts. Big time. But are we ignoring the elephant in the room? Russell Wilson is getting outplayed by Davis Mills. Yes, Denver is banged up on offense. But for $45 million per year, a franchise quarterback doesn’t get to buy excuses. Denver trails 9-6 after 3Qs? Wilson can’t possibly be Drew Lock all game long, can he?
Ryan O’Halloran, beat writer: I swear, if the Broncos lose this game, I’m leaving town. What a debacle this game has been through three quarters. The Broncos have at least 10 penalties in consecutive games for the first time since December 2018 (Vance Joseph’s final two games as the team’s big whistle).
Matt Schubert, deputy sports editor: The third quarter has come to an end, and the Broncos trail 9-6. By our count, there’s been more rounds of boos (11) than the Broncos have points. This cannot be what Russell Wilson envisioned when he agreed to come to Denver.
Third-quarter updates
Penalties galore (4:45 p.m.): That Melvin Gordon III chop-block penalty was Denver’s 11th of the day for 89 yards. — Joe Nguyen
Another delay of game (4:38 p.m.): The Broncos were dinged with another delay of game penalty (their third of the season) late in the third quarter that wiped out a Brandon McManus field goal that would’ve tied the game. Instead, Denver had to punt. — Joe Nguyen
Houston puts up 3 (4:23 p.m.): The Texans keep throwing rookie Demarri Mathis’ way, but he’s held up for the most part, thanks to Brandin Cooks’ drop at the goal line and then Davis Mills’ third-down pass that had too much air on it. The Texans settle for a field goal instead, going ahead 9-6 midway through the third quarter. — Kyle Newman
Denver’s passing woes (4:11 p.m.): What had looked like a great pass from Russell Wilson to Courtland Sutton ended up resulting in an interception after the ball came loose and was grabbed by Christian Kirksey.
Wilson is having an awful day, completing just 6 of 20 passes for 93 yards and a pick. — Joe Nguyen
A takeaway. Literally.
馃摵 禄
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans)
Injury updates (4:10 p.m.): The Broncos will have to eek out a win against the lowly Texans without two of their best players in the second half — both cornerback Pat Surtain II and wideout Jerry Jeudy are out with shoulder injuries. — Kyle Newman
Halftime analysis 鈥� Broncos 6, Texans 6
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: Somebody upstairs hates Nathaniel Hackett. And by 鈥渟omebody,鈥� I鈥檓 wondering if its not some of the Broncos鈥� assistants. Fans at Empower Field are booing like Pencil Pat Shurmur and Vic Fangio never left. When your best red-zone play is Courtland Sutton leaning into his defender to try and draw a pass-interference flag, there鈥檚 nowhere to go but up.
Mark Kiszla, sports columnist: When making goo-goo eyes at his offensive play sheet, Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett falls in love with cute.
Let’s hope it’s not a fatal attraction.
It’s 6-6 against goshawful Texans at halftime. 抖阴apountry is getting restless, Coach.
Kyle Newman, sportswriter: Thank the football gods for Frisbee Dogs, the halftime entertainment to get the crowd feeling good again. More cheers for these dogs than for the Broncos offense in the first half.
Ryan O’Halloran, beat writer: The Broncos currently reside in last place of the AFC West (Kansas City is 2-0, the Chargers are 1-1 and Las Vegas is rolling). And they deserve it. Too sloppy with the penalties. Too depleted with the injuries. And too locked-up-in-the-brain to follow the right red-zone script. Through six quarters of football, the offense is 0 of 6 in the red zone. They threw three passes from the Texans’ 2 in the first quarter (all incomplete) and threw incomplete on third-and-goal from the 1 late in the second quarter.
Matt Schubert, deputy sports editor: The Broncos are … boring? We’re two quarters into the home opener, and there’s been more rounds of boos than points for the Broncos. Jerry Jeudy is out. Tim Patrick was lost weeks ago. Maybe Nathaniel Hackett and the Broncos can hug it out at the break?
Second-quarter updates
Another field goal (3:53 p.m.): The Broncos drive down to first and goal at the 1-yard-line, but Nathaniel Hackett elects to kick the field goal 鈥� after Denver is pegged with a delay of game penalty. The boos reigned down upon the Broncos from the home crowd just before McManus drilled the 24-yard-field goal to make it 6-6 with 20 seconds left in the half. — Kyle Newman
Broncos driving (3:49 p.m.): Russell Wilson connects with Courtland for a 34-yard reception to get Denver into the red zone. The two connected again for an 11-yard gain on the next play. — Joe Nguyen
Up in San Francisco (3:37 p.m.): The 49ers are beating the pants off the Seahawks, 20-0 after one half, the same Seattle team that edged Denver last week. — Kyle Newman
Another rough drive for Denver (3:35 p.m.): The Broncos punted again after another rough drive. Russell Wilson has completed just 4 of 15 passes for 48 yards on the day. — Joe Nguyen
PS2 injured (3:32 p.m.): And it just keeps getting worse. 抖阴apB Pat Surtain II suffered a shoulder injury and his return is now questionable. Who was the double-digit favorite in this? Texans 6, Broncos 3 with 7:11 left in the second quarter. — Matt Schubert
Another FG for Houston (3:28 p.m.): Texans’ Ka’imi Fairbairn nails another field goal to give Houston a 6-3 lead. — Joe Nguyen
Russell struggles early (3:21 p.m.): Until that last completion, Russell Wilson had thrown six consecutive incompletions. So far, he’s completed just 3 of 11 passes for 38 yards. — Joe Nguyen
Where’s Jerry? (3:20 p.m.): Broncos receiver Jerry Jeudy has not returned to the sideline since injuring his shoulder in the first quarter. If you’re hoping for a return, don’t hold your breath. — Matt Schubert
Right decision? (3:20 p.m.): After the Broncos told Sam Martin to take a hike, electing to save some green by going with Corliss Waitman, are they regretting that decision? After Waitman puts another put into the end zone for a touchback, it’s clear that Martin’s directional punting ability is far superior to Waitman’s, even if the latter has a slightly bigger leg. — Kyle Newman
First quarter analysis 鈥� Broncos 3, Texans 3
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: Jerry Jeudy鈥檚 hurt and the red-zone offense is still limping badly. If Nathaniel Hackett was trying to make a good first (second?) impression at home to 抖阴apountry, dude鈥檚 got a long way to go. Stat to note: The Broncos have had four cracks at the end zone on goal to go. Out of a potential 28 points, they鈥檝e managed six. That抖阴ap gotta change.
Mark Kiszla, sports columnist: The Broncos have red zone issues. If coach Nathaniel Hackett overthinks any harder, I’m afraid his gray matter between the ears might turn into red hot lava. Even a knucklehead like me knows running back Javonte Williams is good. Not sure Hackett has gotten the memo. He’ll learn. Or at least we all hope. BTW: The Texans are awful.
Ryan O’Halloran, beat writer: As a double-digit home favorite, the Broncos felt the need to run a trick play. Wilson looked deep right to Courtland Sutton, but then threw underneath to Jerry Jeudy, who sustained a shoulder injury. The red zone issues continue — the Broncos are 0 for 5. Hackett called fades on first and second down to Sutton (both incomplete).
First-quarter updates
All tied up (3:04 p.m.): The Texans tied up the game with Ka’imi Fairbairn’s 40-yard field goal. — Joe Nguyen
Driskel’s return (3:01 p.m.): Former Broncos quarterback Jeff Driskel, who’s now with the Texans, entered the game to get a 10-yard run for the first down. — Joe Nguyen
Field goal (2:55 p.m.): The Empower Field faithful booed, slightly, as Brandon McManus jogged on to attempt a 20-yard field goal on 4th and 2. McManus hit it to put Denver up 3-0. — Kyle Newman
No TD (2:53 p.m.): And after review, the Sutton TD is wiped off the board as one of his feet was out of bounds on the catch. — Kyle Newman
Injury update (2:51 p.m.): The Broncos say Jerry Jeudy is questionable to return with a shoulder issue. — Matt Schubert
Free play (2:50 p.m.): Russell Wilson drew the Texans offsides, knew he had a free play, then heaved the ball down the sideline to Courtland Sutton, who drew a 42-yard pass interference penalty. The next play, Wilson tossed a two-yard TD pass to Wilson as the Broncos went up 7-0 with 5:43 left in the first. — Kyle Newman
In the medical tent (2:49 p.m.): Into the medical tent. Jeudy is being evaluated in the blue medical tent on the Denver sideline. — Kyle Newman
Uh oh (2:46 p.m.): On a trick play where Javonte Williams threw back to Russell Wilson after Wilson handed the ball off, Wilson threw to Jeudy, who had the pass broken-up. But No. 10 stayed down, holding his arm as trainers attended to him. He walked off the field gingerly as the crowd held its breath. — Kyle Newman
Rookie skills (2:41 p.m.): Montrell Washington is the football player KJ Hamler wants to be when he grows up. — Mark Kiszla
Huge stop (2:40 p.m.): Texans RB Dameon Pierce slipped on third down and the Broncos capitalized, forcing fourth down and another punt for Houston. — Joe Nguyen
Remembering what it feels like (2:26 p.m.): With Blink 182’s “All The Small Things” blaring, the Broncos recognized the Stanley Cup champion Avalanche in the north end zone during a commercial break in the first quarter. The crowd roared as if they haven’t seen a championship team in the stadium in over half a decade. — Kyle Newman
Dropsies (2:34 p.m.): What appeared to be a promising Broncos drive stalled out at the Houston 48-yard line. Or as Nathaniel Hackett calls it: field goal range. Instead, Hackett opted to punt after an Albert O drop on third-and-long. Probably the right call. — Matt Schubert
When Broncos had 4th down at the 48 yard line, kinda thought Nathaniel Hackett would send Brandon McManus out to kick the field goal.
— Mark Kiszla (@markkiszla)
Three-and-out (2:28 p.m.): Broncos defense start off strong, forcing a three-and-out on Houston’s opening drive. D.J. Jones with the big stop behind the line of scrimmage. 鈥� Joe Nguyen
Defer (2:24 p.m.): The Broncos win the coin toss. And defer. 鈥� Joe Nguyen
Pregame updates
Inactives (12:56 p.m.): The Broncos have announced seven players on the inactive list:
- OLB Nik Bonitto
- ILB Josey Jewell
- WR KJ Hamler | Story
- G/C Quinn Meinerz
- OL Billy Turner
- DL Eyioma Uwazurike
- WR Jalen Virgil
— Joe Nguyen
Post predictions
Mark Kiszla, columnist: Broncos 31, Texans 10
OK, after punting on the preseason, rookie head coach Nathaniel Hackett finally got in a practice game at Seattle to work out the glitches, including the malfunctioning of his brain under the duress of those tense final seconds in the fourth quarter. Now, with a loss on his permanent record, are the Broncos ready to play some serious football? I think so. And Hackett better hope so.
Kyle Newman, beat writer: Broncos 21, Texans 13
The Broncos’ passing game finds its rhythm, with Jerry Jeudy getting another TD and tight end Albert Okwuegbunam hauling in his first TD of ’22. The game is not as close as the score indicates, as Denver will own the first half in front of a raucous home crowd. Nathaniel Hackett gets his first win as Denver’s head coach and puts last week’s game management controversy behind him.
Ryan O鈥橦alloran, beat writer: Broncos 34, Texans 17
Is this a must win for the Broncos? Dang right it is. A team can’t start 0-2 in the AFC West and think they have a chance at competing for a playoff spot. The best route to covering the double-digit spread is being bold early (how about some no-huddle/hurry up?) to get the Texans gassed at altitude and building a two-possession game, which will allow Bradley Chubb and Randy Gregory to set their collective pass-rushing sight on quarterback Davis Mills.
Sean Keeler, columnist: Broncos 28, Texans 13
Houston, you have a problem. Denver coaches just put up with a week of national shaming on television, never mind the grilling from the local scribes. Did Seattle expose some 鈥� OK, many 鈥� of the Broncos鈥� leaks? Heck, yeah. But Houston QB Davis Mills is 1-4 on the road in his young career while his teams have been outscored 141-45. If the Orange & Blue can hang on to the dang ball, Russ cooks.
Broncos-Texans NFL Week 2: Must reads
NFL Journal: Time is now for Broncos to flip script of struggling on home field
Ryan O’Halloran shares 11 things about the Broncos entering Sunday鈥檚 home opener against the Houston Texans. Read more…
Kiszla: Don鈥檛 worry, be Hackett? Nope. Against Houston, it抖阴ap win or else for Broncos rookie head coach.
The first time Nathaniel Hackett leads the Broncos on their home field for a regular-season contest as the team鈥檚 head coach, it抖阴ap a must-win game.
Is that fair? Maybe not.
But the honeymoon is over, after only one loss on Hackett抖阴ap resume, Mark Kiszla writes.
Always on alert: When Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson scrambles, teammates know the play could be far from over
Sensing pass-rush pressure, Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson spun out of the pocket and started the scramble drill that has been synonymous with the first decade of his NFL career.
But it wasn鈥檛 during training camp or last week鈥檚 season-opening loss at Seattle. No, this was way back in mid-March, when Wilson was less than two weeks removed from his blockbuster trade to the Broncos and had gathered a group of teammates at his home in San Diego.
Most importantly for the Broncos鈥� skill-position players, the San Diego Sessions were their first in-person glimpse at how Wilson operates in the pocket to extend plays or leaves the pocket to buy additional time so they could recalibrate how they help a scrambling quarterback, Ryan O’Halloran reports.
