The Broncos are certainly one of a handful of groups sporting a brand new have a look at quarterback in 2022, having traded main draft capital to Seattle again in March for Russell Wilson. They took the connection to the following degree a pair weeks in the past, handing Wilson a five-year, $245 million contract extension that, barring a commerce demand, will make him a Bronco doubtless for the remainder of his profession.
The Texans are heavy underdogs, 10 level underdogs, to be actual, within the first of what could possibly be a handful of Texans video games that sport a double digit betting line this season. Let’s lay out the storylines to control this Sunday:
4. Hungry Broncos
The Broncos misplaced on nationwide tv on Monday evening, 17-16 in Seattle, within the worst attainable manner — by turning the ball over twice on the opposing one-yard line after which having their head coach take advantage of boneheaded determination of the season for ANY coach to this point (extra on that in a minute). The Broncos have been closely favored (6.5 level unfold) in Seattle on Monday, and within the gauntlet that’s the AFC West, they’ll sick afford to lose one other sport to a workforce that they, fairly truthfully, most likely chalked up as a win earlier than the season. Briefly, the Texans will get the perfect model of the Broncos, and sure the perfect model of the Broncos crowd in Wilson’s first residence sport in Denver. The Broncos’ subsequent 4 video games are, in complete, a reasonably treacherous stretch — Sunday Night time Soccer towards the 49ers, Week 4 at Las Vegas, then a brief week for Thursday Night time Soccer versus the Colts, and capped off by Monday Night time Soccer on the Chargers.
3. Pierce Takeover
The 2 greatest issues that angered Texans followers about Sunday’s tie, except for the mere existence of ties as an idea, have been Lovie Smith’s determination to punt the ball late in extra time and settle for the tie (extra on that in a minute), and the utilization of Rex Burkhead over Dameon Pierce because the lead working again. Pierce was the discuss of the preseason right here in Houston, and he was shoved to the again burner for the plodding, uninspiring working type of Burkhead. Lovie Smith admitted the error in again utilization a pair occasions this week, so that you Pierce fantasy house owners, go forward and begin him once more. And also you offended Texan followers, let’s hope that the offensive line learns tips on how to run block sooner or later, or it will not matter who’s toting the rock.
2. Secondary beneath siege
The Texans’ protection held up properly for 3 quarters on Sunday, largely by some splashy performs like Jerry Hughes’ interception within the second quarter and a fumble restoration on a botched snap. Issues cratered within the fourth quarter and the Colts wound up with over 500 yards of complete offense for the sport. The Texans are going through a extra balanced, extra gifted ability group on Sunday. Huge receivers Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton will check the Texans’ revamped secondary, for positive, however the actual fear is the usage of the Bronco tight ends and the working backs within the passing sport. RB Javonte Williams caught 11 balls on Monday towards the Seahawks, and within the Texans’ tie, the Colts focused LB Kamu Grugier-Hill within the passing sport 16 occasions. SIXTEEN! The guess right here is that the Broncos hunt down the place Texans jersey quantity 51 is on passing downs, and it may get ugly.
1. Two embattled head coaches
It is not a stretch to say that this sport matches up the 2 head coaches who made probably the most polarizing choices of Week 1 final weekend. Properly, Lovie Smith’s determination to punt in extra time was polarizing, a minimum of, as there have been sound arguments on both facet of that selection. For Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett, there was nothing actually polarizing, as a result of polarizing is outlined as “separating into two contrasting teams.” There was no contrasting group for Hackett’s determination to aim a 64-yard subject aim to attempt to win the sport on Monday, versus letting Wilson attempt to convert a brief fourth down at midfield.
EVERYONE knew within the second the choice was idiotic. In order that can be a enjoyable storyline on the 2 sidelines — if this sport is shut within the second half, which coach flinches and botches easy sport administration?
Sadly, for Texans followers, I do not assume this one is shut.
SPREAD: Texans +10
PREDICTION: Broncos 30, Texans 13
SEASON RECORD: 0-0-1 SU, 1-0 ATS
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