The Denver Broncos came into today’s game with something very important on the line, but they got what they wanted. The Broncos beat the Texans, 37-13 to improve to 12-3. This win along with the Kansas City Chiefs loss to the Indianapolis Colts (23-7), means the Broncos have clinched the AFC West title and a bye week in the playoffs. In beating the Texans, Peyton Manning set an NFL record of 51 passing touchdowns on the season.

The First Half

Denver deferred the opening kickoff and Houston Texans received the ball to start the game. The Texans were unable to capitalize on the first possession going three and out, while the Broncos had a 12 play 78 yard drive that ended in a field goal. The Texans found similar success on the second drive of the game as the Broncos defense again held them to a three and out. While the Broncos’ second possession ended in the first unsuccessful fourth down conversion of the season as they went five plays for 44 yards.

The first half was not what you’d expect from a potential number one playoff seed going against a team poised for the first overall pick. The Broncos went into the second half with a 16-6 lead, and the defense was doing a tremendous job leaving the Texans to punt on four out of six possessions.

The Second Half

The first half deferral by the Broncos didn’t prove to be effective. The Broncos punted on every drive of the third quarter which was also the first four drives to start the second half....CONTINUE READING