WHEN: 12:00 p.m. CT
WHERE: NRG Stadium
FORECAST: Partly cloudy, 72 degrees, 6 mph winds (indoors)
FOLLOW: @therealmarklane, @averydduncan
LISTEN: Sports Radio 610 [KILT-AM] and 100.3 The Bull [KLOL]
WATCH: CBS (Kevin Harland & Rich Gannon)
Red: Baltimore at Buffalo
Blue: Denver at Houston
Green: Indianapolis at Tampa Bay
Yellow: Miami at NY Jets
Brown: Cincinnati at Cleveland
Source: 506 Sports
10: carlos hyde’s rank for rushing yards per game
The 29-year-old running back produces 71.1 rushing yards per game, good for the 10th-most in the NFL among running backs. Technically, he would be 11th because Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is at the 10th spot. Nonetheless, Hyde has had two games with 100-plus rushing yards, tying his total from 2016, which was also his best season with 988. Hyde is currently at 853.
9: noah fant’s drop percentage
The rookie first-round pick from Iowa has dropped 9.1% of his targets, tied for the 10th-most in the NFL. What it means is he is a key part of their passing game. What it also means is that he is a rookie adjusting to the pro game and the execution is not quite consistent. However, Fant burned Cleveland for three catches for 115 yards and a touchdown on Nov. 3. The talent is there. The capability is there. The Texans have to squelch it early.
8: Texans’ rank for opposing passer rating
Opposing quarterbacks have compiled a 99.5 passer rating against the Texans’ defense, the eighth-highest overall. Last week, Broncos rookie quarterback Drew Lock had an 84.5 rating in his first career start. The Texans defense will have to keep the second-rounder from Missouri off balance and disguise looks to keep him away from that near-triple digit mark.
7: deshaun watson’s interceptions
The Pro Bowler has chucked seven picks this season, and it is one of the only ways Denver has a chance to beat the Texans at NRG Stadium. The Broncos defense has some inside information with defensive back Kareem Jackson, a former Texans 2010 first-round pick, now in the fold. Can his information be enough to help get an edge on Watson?
6: texans’ rank for sacks
The Houston defense has generated 25 sacks this season, tied with the Los Angeles Chargers for the sixth-fewest in the NFL. The only other team in the bottom-10 of this category are the Seattle Seahawks, who are fourth on the list. To affect a rookie quarterback, the pass rush will have to ramp it up.
5: Houston’s rank for missed tackles
The Texans have missed 96 tackles through 12 games, the fifth-most in the league. Houston needs to make sure they don’t get burned by this deficiency as they attempt to corral running backs Royce Freeman and Phillip Lindsay, who, if get going, would be great friends for a rookie quarterback making his first career road start.
4: denver’s yards per carry
The real number is 4.2, but rounding makes one go down; therefore, four. Even though the Broncos don’t have an impressive figure compared to the rest of the league, they still have running backs capable of activating their run game. It should be a more challenging proposition with starting guard Ron Leary out for the game.
3: denver’s rank for third down conversions
The Broncos are third-worst in the NFL at third down conversions at 29.5%. If Houston can get Denver to third down, it should bode well for getting them off the field. The Texans’ defense gives up the third-most yards per drive in the NFL at 35.6. Having better play on first and second down will be key.
2: courtland sutton’s 100-yard receiving games
The second-year wideout from SMU has not had big games this season, and it could be due to the quarterback play. Last week against the Chargers, Sutton caught four passes for 74 yards and two touchdowns. The talent is there, and the size is assuredly there at 6-4, 216 pounds. Sutton is a big target and can post up any one of the Texans’ corners. Houston will need to use its pass rush to affect the timing and get rookie quarterback Drew Lock off target.
1: wins needed to post a winning record
The Texans have to beat the Broncos to get nine wins on the season. If they do that, it secures their eighth winning season in franchise history. Coach Bill O’Brien will extend his lead for the most by a single coach in team history with five. It would be a great way to start the final quarter of the season and help provide a boost as they seek to initiate their last AFC South series of the season against the Tennessee Titans.