Broncos at Texans second quarter recap

On third and nine, Drew Lock went deep to Tim Patrick for a 39-yard gain and a first down into Houston Texans territory. Two plays later, Lock found a wide open Devontae Booker for a catch and run of 25 yards and another first down at the Texans 15 yard line.

After a short pass to Courtland Sutton and another short screen pass to Royce Freeman, the Broncos were faced with a third and three from the Texans eight yard line. Lock went to Jeff Heuerman outside who was wide open who walked it into the end zone for the touchdown to put the Broncos up 21-0.

Once again, the Texans - for the fourth time and on every drive - found themselves out to at least midfield on offense. A big play by Coutee who beat Todd Davis put the Texans down at the Broncos 30 yard line, but a false start knocked them back five yards from there.

Kareem Jackson continued to be in on seemingly every play. He almost intercepted a pass on second and 15, then on third down Deshaun Watson threw it up to DeAndre Hopkins and it had no chance. The Texans would get a 54-yard field goal out of it, though to get the Texans on the board.

Phillip Lindsay got involved on the next drive with a tough catch for no gain, then an eight yard run up the middle. In between, Drew Lock found Tim Patrick on a slant for a first down. After a Royce Freeman six yard run, Denver would cross midfield again.

A great play design left Noah Fant as wide open as could be who snagged the short pass and turned it up field for a 28-yard gain down to the Texans 21 yard line.

Two straight runs by Lindsay were stuffed for short gains, then on third and six, Lock looked for Booker outside who was well covered and tackled for no gain. Brandon McManus would boot through a 36-yard field goal to put the Broncos up 24-3 with three minutes to go in the half.

Kareem Jackson continued his revenge game against Houston as he made a big time tackle on Darren Fells for no gain on third and one to force a punt. After the two minute warning, Houston changed its mind and went for it on fourth down and one at their own 34-yard line.

From an empty set, Watson had his pass deflected by Shelby Harris to give the Broncos another chance to put points on the board before halftime.

Lock hit Courtland Sutton for an 11-yard gain on second down to get Denver into field goal range with just over a minute and half left in the first half. The Texans gifted another first down a few plays later on a defensive holding penalty on Sutton, which was probably smart since he would have come open in the end zone had he not been held.

Two plays later from the Texans 15 yard line, Lock found DaeSean Hamilton over the middle for a nine yard gain to setup a third and one. Lock redirected Tim Patrick to another part of the end zone, but the pass went to no one as Patrick was tackled in the end zone for what ended up being a defensive holding call for another automatic first down.

On first and goal from the three yard line, Lock tossed to Royce Freeman for another touchdown and an amazing 31-3 halftime lead for Denver on the road over Houston.