Broncos (6-2) at Texans (3-4)<\/p>\n
When:\u00a011 a.m. Sunday<\/p>\n
Where:\u00a0NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas<\/p>\n
TV\/radio:\u00a0FOX\/850 AM, 94.1 FM<\/p>\n
Broncos-Texans series:\u00a0There isn\u2019t a long history for this matchup. The Broncos and Texans have played just 10 times, with Denver leading the series 6-4. They have faced off in the Payton Era, though, giving some sense of familiarity. The Texans put away the Broncos 22-17 in December 2023, when former QB Russell Wilson threw three picks and Texans WR1 Nico Collins went off for 191 yards and a score.<\/p>\n
In the spotlight: Offensive line faces serious challenge vs. Texans\u2019 edge rushers<\/p>\n
Down in Dove Valley, newly minted Broncos left guard Alex Palczewski\u2019s locker sits directly across from Garett Bolles. And for a 26-year-old who profiles as a tackle and says his last time playing on the left side of the O-line was the \u201cObama administration,\u201d there may not be a better mentor in the NFL than the 33-year-old Bolles.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just how much of a professional he is \u2014 like, he just takes care of himself in all facets, physically, mentally,\u201d Palczewski said of Bolles. \u201cPuts himself in the best positions to succeed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bolles has succeeded in one facet better than any other tackle in the NFL this year. He has stared down some edge warriors the past couple of weeks, including the Giants\u2019 Brian Burns and Abdul Carter in Week 7, and not allowed a single pressure since Week 6. On the year, he\u2019s allowed a quarterback pressure on just .09% of his total snaps. That\u2019s best in the league among all tackles with 300-plus snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.<\/p>\n
\u201cI always knew my better football was always ahead of me,\u201d Bolles told The Post. \u201cThe older I get, I just get more comfortable, and more calm, and more composed. And I knew that was going to happen, because that\u2019s just the type of player that I am.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bolles, the longest-tenured Bronco on this current roster, wants the NFL\u2019s inaugural Protector of the Year award<\/a>. And he\u2019s been the best protector in the NFL through seven weeks. This weekend\u2019s trip to Houston, though, brings a pass-blocking challenge like few others on the Broncos\u2019 schedule.<\/p>\n There aren\u2019t many edge duos in the league that can hold a candle to the Broncos\u2019 speed-rush pairing of Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper. The Texans\u2019 Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter, though, are on that level. Third-year rusher Anderson sits at fifth in the NFL in total pressures (36). Ten-year veteran Hunter hasn\u2019t quite been playing at his normal five-time Pro Bowl level, but he still has four sacks through seven games.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re extremely fast,\u201d Broncos head coach Sean Payton said of Houston\u2019s defense. \u201cAnd the edges, man, when you look at Danielle Hunter, and \u2014 both of these edge players, with wide techniques, are problems.\u201d<\/p>\n That speed is the most pressing problem. The 6-foot-5, 300-pound Bolles and right-tackle-mate Mike McGlinchey were both first-round picks due to their athleticism; they now are going head-to-head with the quickest group of pass-rushers in the league. The Texans rank just 21st in the NFL in total pressures (82), but first among all teams in average time to pressure (2.64 seconds).<\/p>\n Ultimately, this allows Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke to live in heavy doses of base personnel and four-man rushes without having to blitz much. Teams have attacked Houston quickly: The Texans surrender more yardage per game on throws under 2.5 seconds than over.<\/p>\n The Broncos blew the brakes off the Cowboys last week, and got quarterback Bo Nix in rhythm, because of an offensive line that often gave Nix a comical amount of time to throw. They\u2019ll need a continued superhuman effort from Bolles this week, and the line around him, to give Nix time to go through progressions against a stingy Texans secondary.<\/p>\n \u201cI say this respectfully, it\u2019s not there\u2019s a multitude of things,\u201d Payton said of his impression of Houston\u2019s defense. \u201cBut the things they do, they do exceptionally well.\u201d<\/p>\n Who has the edge?<\/p>\n When Broncos run:\u00a0J.K. Dobbins just keeps on chugging. He\u2019s had one bad game out of eight this season, and just posted his single-season high with a 15-carry, 111-yard effort against Dallas. Ideally, the Broncos start to get rookie RJ Harvey more involved after a two-touchdown performance in just seven carries last week. This might be a Dobbins game, though, as the Texans\u2019 run defense has surrendered the lowest yards per game on outside-tackle runs in the NFL. Edge: Even<\/p>\n When Broncos pass: Bo Nix got rolling last week, just in time for \u2026 one of the best secondaries in the NFL. This group is stingy. Cornerback Jalen Pitre has three interceptions. Second-year safety Calen Bullock has allowed just seven catches on 18 targets in coverage. Even linebacker Henry To\u2019oTo\u2019o has a 63.4 quarterback rating against. The Texans have allowed the fewest passing touchdowns in the NFL. The way to beat Houston is to try and hit the intermediate part of the field, where they\u2019re 25th in average yards per game. Edge: Texans<\/p>\n When Texans run:\u00a0There\u2019s a kinda similar dynamic here in Houston and Denver\u2019s backfields: a go-to-guy with an injury history (Nick Chubb) and a rookie change-of-pace back (Woody Marks). Chubb has had an up-and-down season, though, averaging 4.0 yards a carry. His longest gain of the year is 27 yards. Marks is starting to assert himself, running for 62 yards on just 11 carries in last week\u2019s win over San Francisco. All in all, it\u2019s a decent but not-imposing rushing attack, especially against a Broncos defense that\u2019s surrendering the fifth-lowest average yards per carry in the league. Edge: Broncos<\/p>\n When Texans pass:\u00a0For all the talk about C.J. Stroud\u2019s fall-off since his offensive rookie of the year campaign in 2023, he\u2019s putting up the highest completion percentage (67%) of his career, and he just went 30 of 38 for 316 yards against the 49ers. The Texans\u2019 issue is a lack of explosiveness, and Stroud has been iffy in the intermediate part of the field. Nico Collins\u2019 health is the key here, as he\u2019s been in concussion protocol and will likely match up with Denver\u2019s Riley Moss with Pat Surtain II hurt<\/a>. Edge: Even<\/p>\n Special teams:\u00a0Texans rookie Jaylin Noel brings juice in the return game, with similar average yards-per-punt and yards-per-kick returns to the Broncos\u2019 All-Pro Marvin Mims Jr. Broncos punter Jeremy Crawshaw far outranks the Texans\u2019 Tommy Townsend in average punts downed inside the 20-yard-line, though. Denver also has a special-teams ace in safety Devon Key, who is second in the league in special-teams tackles<\/a>, according to TeamRankings.com.\u00a0Edge: Broncos<\/p>\n