Official Texans vs. Broncos Game Thread, 12/22/2013
 

The 2-12 Texans take on the 11-3 Denver Broncos Sunday for a noon game at Reliant. The Texans are coming off a 25-3 road loss to the Indianapolis Colts. The Broncos are coming off a 27-20 home loss to the San Diego Chargers approx. a week ago on TNF.

TV = CBS (channel 11 local), noon CST, Sunday

Announcers = Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts

The line = Broncos by 10 to 11.5

I dunno, how did we luck out and get Arizona @ Seattle instead of the Dallas game ?

Dunno, but seems like it's usually the other way around i.e., Dallas not getting the Houston game.

Also, Thursday Night Football ended last week. Next week (last week of regular season), Monday Night Football ends, so this Monday's ATL @ SF game is the last one....

How is 2/3rds of the country getting Denver/Houston instead of KC/Indy? Have they not looked at the standings?

I understand Texas and the Rocky Mountain states getting this game but much of the South, New England, Upper Midwest and Far West are also getting this game too. I guess I can see New Englanders having an interest regarding the Patriots and the #1 seed. But I'm still puzzled.

As to the Arizona/Seattle question: the Cowboys game is on at the same time as the Houston game. The Fox affiliate in Houston decided they could get better ratings not going head-to-head with the Texans.

I agree. The Indy-KC matchup obviously is more compelling.
OK then, did not realize that the Dallas game (unlike Ar-Seattle) was a noon start. That then is an easy explanation and of course makes sense - thanks. It's interesting to, I didn't realize that Fox (or CBS in a similar situation) had that much latitude in going with the early or late start ?

Peyton Manning. Everybody loves Peyton Manning. :) (not I)

Actually, he might break the passing TD record this game. I think he needs 3 more to tie Brady's 50-in-a-year.....

Roofs open....

Broncos win the toss and defer. Texans to receive.

Kickoff goes out of the endzone. Texan's ball at their 20.

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DJ for 3 up the gut. 2nd and 7 coming up.

Short pass to G Jones picks up 4. 3rd and 3 coming up.

Schaub's pass to Hopkins a little high, inc. Texans to punt.

Nice return by Holliday but flags are down..... illegal blocks/holding on the Broncos..... Places the ball at the Bronco 8.

Interesting that Denver and Seattle have more penalties than Texans thru 14 games.

Short pass by Manning goes for 6.

Pass to Tamme gets 4 and the 1st down.

Pass to Decker gets 16.... flags down... illegal formation Broncos makes it 1st and 15 at the Bronco 13.

Pass is short and inc. 2nd and 15 coming up.

Pass to Thomas gets 13. 3rd and 2 coming up.

Flags presnap.....false start Broncos...Makes it 3rd and 7 coming up.

Pass to Caldwell is good for the 1st down. Ball at the Bronco 34.

Deep pass to Caldwell too long, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Moreno goes right up the gut for 31 yards. Ball at the Texan 35.

Pass to Decker gets 14.

Pass to Thomas in the endzone is broken up, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Ball sweeps left for 7. 3rd and 3 coming up.

Short pass is broken up by Keo, inc. Broncos to go for the FG.

Prater's 32-yarder is good.

Broncos 3, Texans 0

8:50 left in the 1st quarter.

DJ downs the ensuing kickoff in the endzone, touchback. Texan's ball at their 20.

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Pass to Martin a little behind but off his hands, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

DJ for no gain.

On 3rd and 10, pass to Martin gets about 3 but flags down......illegal block in the back on DJ is declined. Texans to punt.

Holliday gets 7 on the punt return and is smashingly greeted by Tuggle. Bronco's ball at their 30.

Our receivers aren't getting open even if OL gives Schaub lots of time. Oh well.

Tuttle had a nice hit on Holiday on the punt return.

If you wanted any more proof the Texans are doomed today, the Bushes are in the building. We never win when Babs is in the house.

Manning's pass to Decker goes for big gainer. 35 yards.

Moreno for about 2. 2nd and 8 coming up at the Texan 34.

Pass to Green gets 7. 3rd and 1 coming up.

Moreno gets 3 and the 1st down but flags down..... holding on Broncos -10. Makes it 3rd and 11 coming up.

Pass to D Thomas gets 8. Manning want to go for it on 4th down and 4....

Pass to J Thomas only gets 2 or 3 so the Texans takeover on downs. Ball at the Texan 26.

DJ pops for about 9. 2nd and 1 coming up.

DJ gets the 1 yard and a 1st down.

Pass to AJ goes for nice gainer....Ball at the Bronco 31.

DJ caught in the backfield for loss of 1. 2nd and 11 coming up.

Pass to Griffin gets 5. 3rd and 6 coming up.

Pass to AJ down the sideline too long, inc. Texans to go for the FG.

Bullock's 45-yarder is good!

Texans 3, Broncos 3

2:02 left in the 1st quarter.

Rex Ryan is going to be fired after the season. Do we want him?

Holliday brings the ensuing kickoff back to the Texan 36. Bronco's ball.

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Pass to Caldwell goes nowhere. Loss of 1. 2nd and 11 coming up.

Pass to Moreno goes for nice gainer. 17 yards. Ball at the Texan 48.

Moreno for 3. 2nd and 7 coming up.

Dumpoff to Moreno gets 9 and the 1st down at the Texan 36.

End of the 1st quarter.

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Long pass to D Thomas gets the TD. 36 yards.

Broncos 10, Texans 3

14:54 left in the half.

DJ brings the ensuing kickoff back the Texan 17. Texan's ball.

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DJ for 1 up the middle. 2nd and 9 coming up.

Pass to AJ goes for nice gainer. 18 yards and a 1st down.

Pass to G Jones is too high, inc but flag on the Broncos for late hit, +15 yards. Places the ball at the Bronco 49.

Karim for no gain. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Schaub gets sacked back at the Texan 43. Makes it 3rd and 18 coming up.

Pass to AJ over the middle only gets 5. Texans to punt on 4th and 13.

Holliday fair catches Lechler's punt at the Bronco 11. Bronco's ball.

11:36 left in the half.

How did McCain not catch that, however he recovers and makes a good play.
Nice punt return !

Pass to D Thomas gets 19 and a 1st down at the Bronco 30.

Moreno for about 3. 2nd and 7 coming up.

Manning's pass is nearly INT'ed but McCain but inc. 3rd and 7 coming up.

Manning's pass is broken up by McCain, inc. Broncos have to punt.

Nice punt return by Martin! 53 yards! Ball is placed at the Bronco 28.

Defense gets a stop. Denver targeting McCain but he held due to lots of pressure on Manning by JJ.

DJ for about 9. 2nd and 1 coming up.

DJ gets about a half yard. 3rd and 1 coming up.

DJ gets the 1 and the 1st down. Ball at the Bronco 18.

DJ for 1. 2nd and 9 coming up.

Screen to DJ gets blown up. 3rd and 11 coming up.

Schaub's short pass to AJ off the mark, inc. Texans to go for the FG.

Bullock's 35-yarder is good.

Broncos 10, Texans 6

6:06 left in the half.

FG kicking more consistent these last few games.

Holliday brings the ensuing kickoff back to about the Bronco 25. Bronco's ball.

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Pass to D Thomas gets 8. 2nd and 2 coming up.

Ball rushes for 9 and the 1st down at the Bronco 43.

Ball for 3. 2nd and 7 coming up.

Pass to Decker gets about 10 and a 1st down.

Moreno for 2. 2nd and 8 coming up.

Pass to D Thomas gets 9 and the 1st down. Ball at the Texan 33.

Manning pressured, throws a short pass, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Timeout Broncos with 2:30 left in the half.

Dumpoff to J Thomas gets 11 and a 1st down at the Texan 22.

2 minute warning.

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Pass to D Thomas goes to Texan 4. 1st and goal.

Flags presnap....false start Broncos. Ball at the 9.

Pass to D Thomas broken up by KJ, inc. but holding on the Broncos makes it 1st and goal from the 19.

Short pass to Decker goes to the 7. 2nd and goal.

Manning's pass in the endzone is broken up by Keo, inc. 3rd and goal coming up from the 7.

Manning's pass to Decker is off the mark, inc. Broncos to go for the FG with 59 seconds left in the half.

Prater's 25-yarder is good.

Broncos 13, Texans 6.

The ensuing kickoff goes out of the endzone, touchback. Texan's ball at their 20.

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Schaub's pass is batted down, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up with 52 seconds left in the half.

Schaub's pass slips out of his hand and is inc. 3rd and 10 coming up. Play is being reviewed to make sure it wasn't a fumble....

Play stands as an incomplete pass.

On 3rd and 10, Schaub's deep pass down the sideline is inc. Texans to punt with 39 seconds left.

Holliday brings the punt back to the Bronco 31.

What could it hurt to start T.J. in the second half??

Pass to Decker gets 12. 20 seconds left in the half. Timeout Broncos.

Pass to J Thomas gets 23 yards and a 1st down. 11 seconds left in the half.

Pass to Tamme gets about 8. Broncos to go for the FG with 5 seconds left.

Prater's 44-yarder is good.

Broncos 16, Texans 6

Halftime.

What the hell, nothin to lose ? Schaub has certainly been ineffective and that last series was particulaly disappointing.

Halftime stats:

Passing: Schaub 7/15, 66 yards, 0 TD's, 0 INT's

Rushing: DJ 10/25, Karim 1/0

Receiving: AJ 3/56, many with 1

Tackles: KJ 7, Sharpton/Keo/Pleasant/Swearinger 4 each, B Reed 3, McCain/McClain 2 each

Time of possession: Texans 13:21, Broncos 16:39

1st downs: Texans 5, Broncos 16

Total yards: Texans 83, Broncos 355

3rd down efficiency: Texans 1/7, Broncos 1/5

Red zone: Texans 0/1, Broncos 0/2

Penalties: Texans 0/0, Broncos 7/57

Turnovers: Texans 0, Broncos 0

Holliday brings the 2nd half kickoff back to the Bronco 17. Bronco's ball.

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Pass to Moreno goes inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Moreno for about 5 on the delay. 3rd and 5 coming up.

Pass to Decker a little off, inc. Bronco have to punt.

Martin brings the punt back to the Texan 26. Texan's ball.

Schaub's pass to DJ off the mark, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Pass to Martin gets 7. 3rd and 3 coming up.

Throwback pass to Griffin goes for big gainer. 40 yards.

DJ sweeps left for 1. Ball at the Bronco 26. 2nd and 9 coming up.

Schaub's pass to Hopkins off the mark, inc. 3rd and 9 coming up.

Schaub's short pass to Martin goes for about 10 and the 1st down. Ball at the Bronco 16.

Karim for maybe 2. 2nd and 8 coming up.

Oh man, AJ drops it in the endzone.....inc. 3rd and 8 coming up.

Schaub finds Martin in the back of the endzone for the TD! 15 yards!

Broncos 16, Texans 13

10:33 left in the 3rd quarter.

Schaub throws 2 TDs on one drive, only gets credit for one.

That was a nice drive by Schaub and Martin.

Holliday brings the ensuing kickoff back to the Bronco 22.

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Short pass goes inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Pass to Thomas goes inc.

On 3rd and 10, Manning is sacked by Watt! Broncos have to punt on 4th and 13.

Martin brings the punt back for 11 but flags are down.....holding on Texans... places the ball at the Texan 19. Texan's ball.

Karim for about 3.

On 2nd and 7, Schaub scrambles for about 5 or 6. Brings up 3rd and 2.

Pass to Hopkins gets 6 and the 1st down. Ball at the Texan 35.

Schaub pressured, throws it inc. 2nd and 10 coming up. 7:30 left in the 3rd quarter.

Pass to Jean broken up, inc. 3rd and 10 coming up.

3rd down pass to AJ is broken up, inc. Texans to punt.

Holliday brings the punt back to the Bronco 25. Bronco's ball.

Ball at the Bronco 24.

Manning's pass to Ball off the mark, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Manning pressured, throws inc. 3rd and 10 coming up.

Timeout Broncos with 6:53 left in the 3rd quarter.

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On 3rd and 10, pass to Decker only gets about 4. Broncos have to punt.

Martin brings the punt back to about the Texan 35. Texan's ball.

Deep pass to AJ too long (!) inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Pass to Griffin gets 17 and a 1st down at the Bronco 46.

Karim gets about 14 and a 1st down.

Karim goes right side for 5. 2nd and 5 coming up.

Schaub sacked/stripped but Griffin falls on it, still Texan's ball. 3rd and 12 coming up.

Schaub sacked again puts the Texans out of FG range. Texans to punt.

Punt is fielded by the Texans at the Bronco 21. Bronco's ball.

Moreno for 4. 2nd and 6 coming up.

Pass to J Thomas goes for 11 and a 1st down at the Bronco 35.

Moreno for 5 but flags down.....hands to the face on the Broncos backs it up 10. 1st and 20 coming up.

Pass to Decker gets 6. 2nd and 14 coming up.

Pass to D Thomas gets 11. 3rd and 3 coming up.

Manning pressured, throws it inc. Broncos have to punt.

Broncos down the punt at the Texan 9. Texan's ball.

21 seconds left in the 3rd quarter.

Karim gets 5. 2nd and 5 coming up.

End of the 3rd quarter.

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On 2nd and 5, Karim gets 5 and the 1st down. Ball at the Texan 20.

Schaub's pass is INT'ed by the Broncos at the Texan 28. Bronco's ball.

Moreno runs for 18. Ball at the 10.

Pass to Decker goes for the TD. 10 yards.

Broncos 23, Texans 13

13:26 left in the game.