Live In-Game Updates: Texans sustain 16-9 loss To Broncos
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HOUSTON — Following a controversial tie against the Indianapolis Colts, the Houston Texans will try to win their first game of the 2022 campaign against the 0-1 Denver Broncos.
The Texans' offensive line unit will look different from their season opener, as starting center Justin Britt will be out due to personal reasons. In his place, Scott Quessenberry will be Britt's replacement. Rookie offensive lineman Kenyon Green will start at left guard over veteran Justin McCray.
The Texans will be going up against a motivated Broncos team that is coming off an embarrassing loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Monday. Wilson, who threw for 340 yards and two touchdowns against his former team, has registered a 33-11 record coming off a loss in his career.
To add more fuel to his motivation, the nine-time Pro Bowler has put together a 3-0 record against the Texans. A potential loss to Houston will spoil his perfect record. But more importantly, Wilson will begin his Broncos career 0-2.
Since Wilson entered the league in 2012, the Texans have yet to beat the nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback.
In three career games against the Texans, Wilson is undefeated. Dating back to the 2013 campaign, Wilson has recorded 835 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions while posting a passer rating of 102.4.
"Two weeks in a row we’re facing a future Hall of Fame quarterback," safeties coach Joe Danna said. "He [Wilson] knows the game. There’s nothing that he sees on Sunday that he hasn’t seen before. A good decision-maker. A good athlete who has got good arm strength. The total package — so we’ll have our hands full.”
1st Quarter
The Texans received the ball first at Empower Field at Mile High stadium. Rookie running back Dameon Pierce rushed for eight yards during the Texans' first drive, but Houston went three-and-out to start the game.
Change of possession.
Rookie defensive back Derek Stingley Jr. had a nice pass breakup between Wilson and wideout Courtland Sutton, but his aggression led to a penalty. The Broncos failed to convert any yards following the automatic first-down.
Change of possession.
Second drives of the game, the Texans were able to move the chains behind quarterback Davis Mills. While making quick decisions in the pocket, Mills completed his first three pass attempts, finding Brandin Cooks twice and Nico Collins once.
After picking up a first down, the Texans failed to convert. Pierce loss five yards on 3-and-1 after being tackled behind the line scrimmage by Broncos defensive lineman Randy Gregory.
Change of possession.
After a missed tackle by linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis that resulted in a 39-yard gain by wideout Montrell Washington, a holding penalty by running back Melvin Gordon saved the Texans from giving up significant yardage.
A few plays later, Jerry Jeudy sustained an injury after a pass break-up by cornerback Steven Nelson. On the very next play, a pass interference called on Stingley put the Broncos at first-and-goal.
Wilson's touchdown pass attempt to Sutton was overturned, which resulted in the Broncos settling for a field goal.
Broncos 3, Texans 0
Change of possession.
Pierce put together great production out of the backfield during the Texans' third drive of the game. He recorded 19 yards on two carries, but the Texans could not sustain their drive. Ka'imi Fairbairn drilled a 40-yard field goal to even up the score with the Broncos.
Broncos 3, Texans 3
2nd Quarter
The Texans put together a solid defensive drive against the Broncos, but back-to-back penalties helped Denver stay on the field.
Wilson's struggles continued as he failed to lead the Broncos down the field. Following his third offensive drive of the game, the Texans have held Wilson to 38 yards while going 3-for-11 from the field. Rasheem Green recorded the Texans' first sack of the game, which resulted in the Broncos punting on fourth down.
Change of possession.
The Texans put together their best offensive drive of the half. Houston utilized Pierce in the rushing attack and as a pass catcher, as the rookie from Florida accounted for 19 of Houston's 54 yards.
Mills put together a nice drive by going 5-for-5 for 38 yards, but the Texans were unable to get into the end zone. Fairbairn drilled his second field goal of the day to put the Texans ahead 6-3 over the Broncos.
Texans 6, Broncos 3
Change of possession.
Headline by Stingley, the Texans' defense continued their impressive play against Wilson and the Broncos. Denver notched only 14 yards on five plays before being forced to punt on 4th-and-6.
Change of possession.
The Texans followed up their best offensive drive of the half with arguably their worst. Mills fumbled a snap for a loss of seven yards as Houston went three-and-out.
Change of possession.
The Texans are once again having a rough time trying to play a clean game as back-to-back penalties helped the Broncos move the ball downfield. Denver's offense received a significant boost as Williams rushed for 17 yards.
Williams' rush helped the Broncos get into the red zone, but the Texans' defense prevented Denver from closing the drive with a touchdown. The Broncos notched a 20-yard field goal for a 6-6 tie against the Texans.
Texans 6, Broncos 6
End of Half
3rd Quarter
Linebacker Christian Kirksey recorded the Texans' first takeaway of the game with an interception. Wilson's intended target was Sutton.
Change of possession.
On the shoulders of their rookie running back in Pierce, the Texans put together another impressive drive. The Texans recorded 39 yards on 11 plays but could not convert in the red zone. Fairbairn drilled a 24-yard field goal to give the Texans a 9-6 lead over the Broncos.
Texans 9, Broncos 6
Change of possession.
The Texans had modest production during their second defensive drive of the half, as Houston gave up 34 yards on eight plays. The Broncos failed to score as a delay of game penalty forced the team to punt instead of connecting on a field goal.
Amid their second defensive drive of the game, Pierre Louis went down with a groin injury.
Change of possession.
The Texans could not get anything going during their latest offensive drive. Three-and-out for Houston.
Change of possession.
4th Quarter
Wilson connected with Sutton for a 35-yard reception, which later resulted in the Broncos taking a 13-9 lead over the Texans. Wilson finished the drive with a 22-yard touchdown pass to tight end Eric Saubert.
Broncos 13, Texans 9
Change of possession.
Mills got things going for the Texans with a 29-yard completion to Collins. Unfortunately, the Texans could not sustain their offensive outing for the second consecutive drive.
Change of possession.
Outside of a sack by Jonathan Greenard, the Texans' defense is starting to fall apart. Houston gave up 54 yards on a dozen plays.
Broncos 16, Texans 9
Change of possession.
Mills did a great job leading the Texans down the field with two consecutive plays of finding Collins and Cooks for 20-plus yards. Unfortunately, miscommunication with the offensive line led to a nine-yard sack on Mills.
Denver's sack killed the offensive momentum the Texans started to build. Houston was forced into a turnover on down with less than two minutes to go in the fourth quarter.
Change of possession.
With the game in hand, the Broncos began to use the game clock to their advantage. Three-and-out for Denver.
Change of possession.
Mills tried to lead the Texans to an improbable comeback, but Houston could not get anything going during their final drive of the game. Texans sustain a 16-9 defeat to the Broncos.
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