The rest of the 2019 season is all about the development of Drew Lock. For the Denver Broncos, it is painfully clear that they’ll never return to contention until they figure out what to do with the quarterback position.
In his first game, Lock looked like the moment was not too big for him and he played well enough to secure a rare win for Denver. This week, however, is going to be a completely different kind of animal for Lock.
Game Preview
While the Houston Texans have been a bit up and down at times this year, the Broncos are catching them at the height of their season coming off a complete dismantling of the New England Patriots in Week 13. You can guarantee that they will be fired up this week and the crowd more than a little rowdy.
Drew Lock will need to show that he can handle such a hostile environment and still produce successful drives as the starting quarterback. If, and this is a big if, the Broncos injury-depleted defense can keep the Texans from scoring too much, then the Broncos could make a game of it.
Here is how to watch.
TV Schedule
When: Sunday, December 8, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. Mile High time
Where: NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas
Channel: CBS / Local
Announcers: Kevin Harlan (play-by-play), Rich Gannon (analyst), and AJ Ross (sideline reporting).
Local Radio: KOA - 850 AM | 94.1 FM & The Fox - 103.5 FM | Spanish Radio KNVR 1150 AM | National Radio - Sports Radio
If you see BLUE in your area below, you will get the Broncos-Texans game on CBS locally. And if you thought the area was tiny last week, well it is even small this week.
If you see BLUE in your area, you will get the #Broncos #Texans game on CBS this weekend. #DENvsHOU https://t.co/nzS2XeNKdT
— Tim Lynch (@TimLynch1978) December 6, 2019
Online Streaming
FuboTV (Available if being televised in your area)
NFL Game Pass (After the game)
Denver Broncos injury report
Player | Pos. | Injury | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Game Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Player | Pos. | Injury | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Game Status |
Ron Leary | G | Concussion | DNP | DNP | ||
Will Parks | S | Hand | DNP | LIMITED | ||
Malik Reed | OLB | Ankle / Shoulder | DNP | LIMITED | ||
Jeremiah Attaochu | OLB | Lower leg | LIMITED | FULL | ||
Royce Freeman | RB | Ribs | LIMITED | FULL | ||
Alexander Johnson | ILB | Knee | LIMITED | LIMITED | ||
Connor McGovern | C | Back | LIMITED | LIMITED | ||
Von Miller | OLB | Knee | LIMITED | LIMITED | ||
Shelby Harris | DE | Ankle | FULL | FULL | ||
Ja’Wuan James | T | Knee | FULL | FULL | ||
Tim Patrick | WR | Shoulder | FULL | FULL | ||
Mike Purcell | NT | Knee | FULL | FULL |
Houston Texans injury report
Player | Pos. | Injury | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Game Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Player | Pos. | Injury | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Game Status |
Taiwan Jones | RB | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | ||
Gareon Conley | CB | Hip | LIMITED | LIMITED | ||
Will Fuller | WR | Hamstring | LIMITED | LIMITED | ||
Bradley Roby | CB | Hamstring / Toe | LIMITED | LIMITED | ||
Brennan Scarlett | LB | Shoulder | LIMITED | LIMITED | ||
Carlos Watkins | DE | Hamstring | LIMITED | LIMITED | ||
Angelo Blackson | DE | Shoulder | FULL | FULL | ||
Jordan Akins | TE | Knee | NOT LISTED | LIMITED |
Odds
The Broncos are overwhelming underdogs on the road against the Texans. The line is currently over 9-points in most places. It’s hard to argue against it, since one team is 4-8 and looking to 2020, while the other is 8-4 and fresh off a win over the Patriots.
Matchup History
Since the Texans became a franchise 20 years ago, they have been pretty even with the Broncos. Denver owns a 4-3 advantage over Houston during that span. You may recall last years’ matchup when some coaching errors helped ensure a 19-17 road win for the Texans.
Hot Reads
Fan Sentiment
There was a huge jump in fan confidence in the Broncos this week. It wasn’t just the 23-20 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, but also the way Drew Lock carried himself in his first start. There is much to be optimistic about after just one win, especially if Lock continues to develop his game to finish out this season.
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Broncos podcasts
We have a new podcast schedule for the regular season. Please subscribe and check in every weekday morning for a new MHR Radio show. Details here.
It’s Drewcember on MHR Radio and every other podcast show this week. Ian and Adam think that Lock could lead this young Broncos offense for a long time.
Luke Patterson of Broncos on the Rox thinks that Drew Lock - after just one game - is the best starting quarterback in Denver since Peyton Manning retired.
On the Broncos & Bratwurst podcast, there is a sense that Drew Lock is the hero we’ve all been waiting for. They are fully on board the Drewtrain.
You can subscribe to our podcast feed on ApplePodcasts, GooglePlay, iHeartRadio, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn and anywhere else you get your podcasts.
Social Media Information
MHR Facebook Page: Mile High Report: A Denver Broncos Blog
MHR Twitter: Follow @MileHighReport
MHR Instagram: Follow @MileHighReport
Denver Broncos Fan Group: Denver Broncos Football
MHR Live on Twitch: Follow @ MHR_Live
Broncos 2019 regular season schedule
Wk | Date | Opponent | Time (MT) | TV | Score | Record |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wk | Date | Opponent | Time (MT) | TV | Score | Record |
1 | Sep 9 | at Raiders (MNF) | 8:20 PM | ESPN | 24-16 L | 0-1 |
2 | Sep 15 | vs Bears | 2:25 PM | FOX | 16-14 L | 0-2 |
3 | Sep 22 | at Packers | 11:00 AM | FOX | 27-16 L | 0-3 |
4 | Sep 29 | vs Jaguars | 2:25 PM | CBS | 26-24 L | 0-4 |
5 | Oct. 6 | at Chargers | 2:05 PM | CBS | 20-13 W | 1-4 |
6 | Oct 13 | vs Titans | 2:25 PM | CBS | 16-0 W | 2-4 |
7 | Oct 17 | vs Chiefs (TNF) | 6:20 PM | NFLN | 30-6 L | 2-5 |
8 | Oct 27 | at Colts | 11:00 AM | CBS | 15-13 L | 2-6 |
9 | Nov 3 | vs Browns | 2:25 PM | CBS | 24-19 W | 3-6 |
10 | Nov 10 | BYE | ||||
11 | Nov 17 | at Vikings | 11:00 AM | CBS | 27-23 L | 3-7 |
12 | Nov 24 | at Bills | 11:00 AM | CBS | 20-3 L | 3-8 |
13 | Dec 1 | vs Chargers | 2:25 PM | CBS | 23-20 W | 4-8 |
14 | Dec 8 | at Texans | 11:00 AM | CBS | 38-24 W | 5-8 |
15 | Dec 15 | at Chiefs | 11:00 AM | CBS | 23-3 L | 5-9 |
16 | Dec 22 | vs Lions | 2:05 PM | CBS | 27-17 W | 6-9 |
17 | Dec 29 | vs Raiders | 2:25 PM | CBS | 16-15 W | 7-9 |