Broncos on Hard Knocks this week thanks to Texans preseason game

The Broncos have been approached in years past about being the featured team in HBO's Hard Knocks show, but politely declined, team spokesman Patrick Smyth said on Twitter earlier this month.

Denver will be on the show tonight, though.

The Texans are the featured team this year, and they hosted the Broncos in Week 2 of preseason last weekend. Denver won the game, 14-10.

At the end of last week's episode, Hard Knocks narrator Liev Schreiber said, "On the next Hard Knocks . . . the team prepares for a showdown, as Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos ride into town."

Manning went 8-of-14 for 52 yards in the game. A bigger story line was rookie Trevor Siemian, who threw the game-winning touchdown pass for Denver.

This week's show will likely focus on Jadeveon Clowney's return to practice, Brian Hoyer being named the team's starting quarterback, and Houston's loss to Denver.

If you do not have HBO, you can sign up for a 30-day free trial of HBO Now, which will allow you to stream tonight's episode tomorrow evening (HBO Now usually costs $14.99/month). You can also stream episodes the next day on HBO GO, but that requires a cable subscription.

Tonight's episode airs at 10 p.m. ET.