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The Denver Broncos opened the third quarter hoping to extend their lead over the Houston Texans. However, on the first play tight end John Phillips was blown up and Trevor Siemian speared on his blindside causing an errant throw.
A short pass to Demaryius Thomas for eight yards would setup a third and short. Siemian would misfire to Emmanuel Sanders, forcing a three and out for the Broncos to start the second half.
The Texans from their own 17, would hand off to Lamar Miller on first down who would bounce outside for a seven yard gain. Brock Osweiler would hit on his longest pass of the game on a twelve yarder to his tight end.
A 36-yard defensive pass interference call on T.J. Ward put the Texans into scoring position at the Broncos 28 yard line. After another first down, Osweiler botched the snap and was tackled for a five yard loss.
On second and 15, Alfred Blue got six yards back to setup a third and long. Osweiler’s pass to Blue would be incomplete as Brandon Marshall found himself in perfect coverage to break it up to send the field goal unit out.
Aqib Talib blocked the field goal attempt, but he was offsides on the play. The Texans would kick the field goal anyway.
Broncos 14, Texans 9.
A false start penalty that looked like an offsides penalty on the Texans, set the Broncos back to start their next drive. A short run and a short pass, both to Devontae Booker, setup the Broncos with a third down and ten.
Siemian would make a poor throw intended to Thomas. Thomas could have been open had Siemian waited a hair longer, but the three and out forced a punt. Riley Dixon’s punt was nearly blocked and the punt fell short near midfield.
After Osweiler was rushed out of the pocket by Von Miller and an incompletion, Blue would break a few tackles for a nine yard gain. On third and one, Osweiler would hit DeAndre Hopkins on a quick pass for a two yard gain and a first down.
Osweiler would escape pressure again and run for eleven yards and another first down. On the very next play, Blue would fumble the ball as both Darian Stewart and T.J. Ward converged on the ball to force the ball loose and Todd Davis recovered.
That @Broncos D!
— NFL (@NFL) October 25, 2016
Forced fumble.
Fumble recovery.
Going the other way! #HOUvsDEN https://t.co/uy1bdIF4Uc
The Broncos, on their next drive, got their running game going. Siemian didn’t even have to attempt a throw early on as Booker and C.J. Anderson shredded the Texans run defense, with Andy Janovich opening up huge holes.
The run game lulled the Texans to sleep as Siemian then hit Emmanuel Sanders deep down the sideline to the Texans five yard line.
This was the offense we were seeing from the second half of the Cincinnati Bengals through the Tampa Bay Buccaneers game. An offense that was completely missing from the beginning of the Atlanta Falcons game through the first quarter of this one.
The relief for this Broncos fan is real. I would prefer not writing another “what’s wrong with this offense” article tomorrow.
Janovich, on the next play, took the ball down to the one foot line. Booker would take the ball on the next play into the end zone to put the Broncos up two scores with the third quarter coming to an end.
Broncos 21, Texans 9.