The Denver Broncos got back on track Monday night with a 27-9 victory over the Houston Texans. The quality of football looked much better with the return of Gary Kubiak, but Denver still has a lot of work to do in order to get where they want to be this season.
The running game looked as good as it has all season. C.J. Anderson and Devontae Booker combined for 190 yards on 33 carries with two touchdowns. If the Broncos can continue to put away teams in the fourth quarter with the running game, they will be incredibly difficult to beat, no matter the opponent.
Denver’s defense got off the field without allowing a point on the first drive for the first time in three games. Houston still had six of their nine points come in the first quarter, but keeping opponents out of the end zone early really helps the offense get going. It has been deflating that during the previous two games both opponents were able to reach the end zone on their first drive, capping off long and time-consuming drives.
Early struggles were still present for the Broncos against the Texans. Denver has been sloppy in the first quarter all season long and Monday was no exception. Denver was just able to keep their early deficit manageable and under control. This has to get better for the Broncos quickly. Denver’s next three games are against very good offenses that have the ability to put the Broncos in a serious early hole.
Finally, the Broncos need to do a better job limiting their mistakes. Denver was penalized seven times for 83 yards. The offensive line looked better as a whole, but unnecessary penalties continue to slow down the offense. Speaking of slowing down the offense, Demaryius Thomas had yet another miscue in the fourth quarter, dropping a pass that would have gone for a big gain. Fortunately for Denver, the game was well in hand at that point.
All in all, the Broncos made fairly easy work out of the team leading the AFC South. Denver seems to have played its way out an ugly two-game slide just in time for key divisional games. But, for the success to continue, the Broncos most improve in these areas to achieve the success that they are looking for.
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