Houston Texans

Houston Texans: Defeat the Broncos if they do these three things

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Houston Texans are looking for their first road win on the season, here are three keys to them getting a victory against the Denver Broncos

The Houston Texans are about to play their second straight prime time game, and third in their first seven of the year. Their first moment in the lights was a thorough beatdown handed to them by the New England Patriots on Thursday Night Football.

They were shutout in that one, and lost by a score of 27-0. This past week they looked to be headed in the same direction as their Sunday Night Football game against the Indianapolis Colts was getting ugly.

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They trailed by 14 in the final quarter and made a miraculous comeback for an overtime win, which enabled them to create some space in the AFC South.

Now they face the defending Super Bowl Champions, the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football. Most predictions are saying that things will be ugly for Houston, and there’s a good reason for that.

Their terrible start on the road is one thing. Their 27-0 loss was the first road game, and their second was a 31-13 beating from the Minnesota Vikings.

Another reason for the bleak outlook is the way they played for most of the game last week. They were struggling on offense against a team that is horrific on defense. The Broncos are not horrific on defense.

This doesn’t mean the Texans should count this as a loss and be content. They very well could surprise fans and get a win. In order to do so there are three key things they must do to win.

Oct 16, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) acknowledges the fans following Houston

1. Protect the Football

First year Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler at times has looked lost on the field. At other times, he looked spectacular like when he led the team to 14 quick points in their upset over the Colts.

He has been shaky to say the least though and his inconsistencies are rattling the team. The one area he has been consistent in though is not a good one.

In all six games so far for the Broncos, Osweiler has thrown at least one interception. He currently has eight on the season and if Houston hopes to beat Denver, he needs to stay at eight on the season.

The Broncos are a nasty defense and their team feeds off that energy. Offensively they aren’t much to worry about as long as Trevor Siemian is under center, so avoiding surrendering free points and great field position is a must.

Osweiler will have a ton of pressure on him as he faces his old team. If he can keep from making the bad plays he has so far, Houston stands a chance.

Oct 16, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans running back Lamar Miller (26) against the Indianapolis Colts during the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

2. Utilize Lamar Miller

Last week Lamar Miller rushed for 149 yards and added another 29 yards on three receptions. One of his receptions went for a score late in the fourth and was a fantastic play where he dodged Colts players one after another before finding his way to pay dirt.

This game it will be even more imperative that Miller gets going. He is such a great weapon with the ball in his hands and he can be the biggest weapon in slowing down the Broncos fierce pass rush.

Denver linebacker Brandon Marshall already showed his hand. He said the Broncos want to “kill” their former teammate Brock Osweiler. His statement shows that the team may have some weak links who are focused on personal vendettas rather than staying glued in on the task at hand.

This means he and his friends will be queued in on Brock. Delayed handoffs, screen passes and quick outs to Miller will be extremely effective against a team so focused on sending Osweiler to the sidelines.

It may not seem like much, but a few short plays to Miller that move the chains will do wonders to get Denver on their heels, which would open things up down field for the big play makers.

3. Remind the Broncos that Trevor Siemian is just Trevor Siemian

Whether the big media outlets want to admit it or not, the Houston Texans have the better quarterback.

Sure, the numbers don’t say it, but Siemian has just had better luck up to this point. Yet, if you take out his one great performance where he threw four touchdown passes, he has been average at best.

Last Thursday night he was just bad. He struggled to move the ball against the weak San Diego defense and the Broncos dropped that game.

Where Siemian really struggles is getting the ball down field. He doesn’t have the strongest arm for an NFL quarterback so Houston needs to be up close to the receivers and daring Denver to pass deep.

If they give any cushion at all, Siemian will get the ball out quick and their stud receivers will make Houston pay.

The Texans needs to attack the Broncos, rather than react. They need to create pressure on Siemian and force him to make mistakes.

Denver is weak at times on offense. This is where Houston has to attack to be able to steal a victory.

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