/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51459359/615125198.0.jpg)
Brock Osweiler returns to Denver for the first time since spurning the Denver Broncos for a much more lucrative $72 million deal with the Houston Texans this offseason. Spurn might be a strong word, but most Broncos fans would love to see him get hammered by the Broncos defense this week.
If the defense continues to have the same problems it has had all year, then Osweiler might be able to get some offense out of the Texans on Monday Night Football. Here is what to know about the most anticipated game of the year for Broncos Country.
Game time
Kickoff is set for Monday, October 24, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. Mile High time at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado.
TV schedule and TV channels
The game will be broadcast on ESPN with Sean McDonough (play-by-play), Jon Gruden (color analyst) and Lisa Salters (sideline).
Online stream
NFL Game Pass offers live audio and re-airs after the game.
DirecTV's NFL Sunday Ticket has expanded its online streaming service. Verizon subscribers can watch games live with the NFL Mobile app (subscription required, and usual TV blackout rules apply even online).
For more information about streaming Broncos games, check out our comprehensive online streaming guide.
Radio
Nationally, the game will be broadcast on WestwoodOne with Kevin Kugler (play-by-play), Kurt Warner (color analyst) and Max Starks (sideline reporting).
Colorado can listen on KOA (850 AM) or The Fox (103.5 FM) with Dave Logan (play-by-play), Ed McCaffrey (color analyst) and Andy Lindahl (sideline reporting).
Spanish radio KNVR (1150 AM) will also broadcast the game with Javier Olivias (play-by-play), Carlos Valdez (color analyst) and Hector Salazar (sideline reporting).
Odds
The Broncos opened a 6.5-point favorite over the Texans, but that line has been growing incredibly with each passing day. At the time of this writing the line is up around 9 and even 10 points in some places. Bettors are expecting a Broncos blowout.
Participation
Reports suggest that Russell Okung is likely going to be ready to play on Monday, which should give Broncos fans some relief. Cody Latimer is unlikely to be back from his concussion by then. Outside of DeMarcus Ware still recovering, it’s nearly a full go for the Broncos this week.
Quotable
Wade Phillips is always a fun guy to listen too. A reported asked what Phillips thought of Jon Gruden suggesting they play more zone, to which Phillips replied with some savagery.
Phillips asked about how Gruden thinks they should play more zone: "Jon Gruden hasn't coached in a while, has he?"
— Ryan Koenigsberg (@RyanKoenigsberg) October 21, 2016
“We were playing zone on quite a few of those plays,” Phillips said when asked about playing more zone. “You just have to look and see. We haven’t played as well as we wanted to because we didn’t win. We’re still doing some good things, I think. We’re still first in pass defense in the National Football League against a lot of top passing teams and quarterbacks, but we’re 4-2 instead of 6-0. We want to be better.”
Predictions
The Broncos want to “kill” Osweiler in this game, so they will be fully motivated to give him a proper Mile High greeting. However, if they struggled early again and frustration mounts we could see some undisciplined play for the third week in a row.
I have to believe they will bounce back, but I am doubtful they can rely on a strong offensive performance. If I were a betting person, I’d take the Broncos, but give the Texans the points here. There are just too many questions on offense to expect a blowout.
Broncos 17, Texans 13.