Houston Texans first half struggles result in loss to Denver Broncos
In a game where the Houston Texans couldn’t afford a letdown, they did just that and then some in a losing effort to the Denver Broncos in Week 14.
The Houston Texans are out of excuses when it comes to not showing up in a consistent manner week-in and week-out.
Following a week where the Texans defeated the New England Patriots, the Texans failed to have a hot start in the first half against the now 5-8 Broncos, resulting in a 38-24 loss this Sunday in Week 14.
Houston trailed by a 31-3 score at halftime, and it was too much of a hole to dig out of. For what it is worth, Houston outscored the Broncos, 21-7 in the final two quarters played at NRG Stadium, and that wasn’t enough.
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Houston’s secondary made rookie Drew Lock — who was making just his second NFL start — look like John Elway as Lock was 22-of-27 for 309 yards with three touchdown passes and one interception. Lock also rushed for 15 yards on three carries.
The Texans defense also had no answers for Denver rookie tight end Noah Fant who had four receptions for 113 yards and one touchdown on four targets.
Then there was the offensive play by the Texans who saw quarterback Deshaun Watson finish 28-of-50 for 292 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.
Carlos Hyde led the Texans with 14 carries for 73 yards, while DeAndre Hopkins was Houston’s leading receiver with seven receptions for 120 yards and one touchdown.
The loss goes all the way back to the first half where Houston did their defense no favors with too many miscues, false starts and untimely penalties on third down. Houston was also unsuccessful on a fourth-and-one play where they decided to throw the football instead of running it. The defense doesn’t get a free pass though as the secondary wasn’t into this game, allowing a lot of big plays by the Broncos.
Like the Texans did when they lost big to the Baltimore Ravens earlier this season, they must learn something from this loss, forget about it, and get ready for the Tennessee Titans in Week 15, because they are a tough team right now as well.
Even with the loss — moving Houston to 8-5 overall — if the Titans win their game against the Oakland Raiders in Week 14, the Texans would still be tied for first place in the AFC South with three weeks to go, and that is about the only positive from this loss.
Next. Texans add Shalom Luani to bolster their practice squad. dark
Check back to the Toro Times for more from the loss to the Broncos.