Photo: John Bazemore / AP
Arian Foster and the powerful Texans offense have not been broken a sweat through two games this season, but they will be grasping for some air at the Mile High.
Peyton Manning is back and is not better than ever since everybody feels as if they are an expert of some sort when breaking down arguably the greatest quarterback that has ever lived.
Manning struggled miserably against the Atlanta Falcons in the first quarter throwing three picks and it didn’t help matters when the Broncos also coughed it up for a fourth turnover in the opening quarter.
Had they not imploded out of the gates, they could have stunned the red hot Falcons and instead they will be attempting to avoid a 1-2 start when they host arguably the best defense in the AFC.
Everybody knows about the Niners and Ravens, but Houston’s defense is currently as explosive as anybody out there and it will be entertaining to watch DeMaryius Thomas and Eric Decker stretch the field against a ferocious Texans defense.
They are stout up front and are solid in the back four, but the secondary would be their only small weak link. Manning needs a third receiver to draw attention or else both star Bronco receivers will get shutdown.
Tight end Jacob Tamme and third receiver Brandon Stokley could play a vital role in this matchup, and the amount of pressure we see Wade Phillips’ defense bring to Peyton should decide this one.
Offensively, Foster and Ben Tate have been a consistent one-two punch which has opened the passing game up for Matt Schaub.
Andre Johnson has been a pleasant surprise since he was not looking like 100% heading into the season after suffering through several injuries from last season and into this past preseason.
Champ Bailey and Tracy Porter (more on Walter) will attempt to limit the skill position players from the Texans, and that will become a must if Denver expects to stun the top-ranked team in the entire AFC heading into the weekend.
Houston does not need this win nearly as much as Denver does simply due to the fact that the Texans may not lose a game in their division whereas the Broncos are already trailing San Diego by a game and they also happen to have one of the toughest schedules in the league.
Manning will bounce back thanks to Willis McGahee continuing to run downhill, but Von Miller is one of the five best defensive players in the league.
The pressure will be brought on by a Denver defense that is underrated as they will find a way to squeak this one out in the closing moments.
Time: 4:25 p.m. Eastern
Network: CBS (715)
Experts Pick: Texans by 2.5
Danny V’s Pick: Broncos 24, Texans 21
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