OVERALL
The Texans overcame the loss of rookie receiver Tank Dell with a season-ending fractured fibula to defeat Denver.
This game wasn’t settled until safety Jimmie Ward intercepted Russell Wilson in the back of the end zone with 9 seconds remaining to secure the 22-17 victory. The Texans broke Denver’s five-game winning streak, elevated their record to 7-5 and stayed tied with Indianapolis for second place in the AFC South.
They got outstanding performances from wide receiver Nico Collins, defensive end Will Anderson Jr. and cornerback Derek Stingley Jr.
Grade: A
QUARTERBACK
C.J. Stroud withstood five sacks to throw for 274 yards and a touchdown. He didn’t throw an interception against a Denver defense that had forced 15 turnovers in its last four games.
Stroud averaged 10.1 yards per attempt and finished with a 106.1 rating. As always, he showed tremendous poise under pressure, even when his pass blockers were letting blitzing players drill him.
Grade: B-plus
RUNNING BACKS
Going against the worst run defense in the NFL, the running game was a disappointment, especially in the second half.
The Texans finished with 30 carries for 89 yards. Dameon Pierce (15 for 41) had 14 for 19 if you subtract his 22-yard run. Devin Singletary carried eight times for 46 yards.
After rushing for 77 yards on 17 carries in the first half, the Texans ran 13 times for 12 yards in the second half. That’s pathetic!
Grade: D
WIDE RECEIVERS
It was the Nico Collins Show. With Tank Dell lost for the season with a fractured fibula while blocking on Dameon Pierce’s 3-yard touchdown run, no other wideout caught more than one pass.
Noah Brown was targeted twice and dropped one. Robert Woods wasn’t even targeted. John Metchie III had one catch for 9 yards.
Collins was fantastic with nine catches for 191 yards and a touchdown. He averaged 21.2 yards per catch after having three receptions for 59, 51 and 39 yards.
For the season, Collins has 59 receptions for 991 yards (16.8 average) and six touchdowns.
Grade: A
TIGHT ENDS
With Dalton Schultz missing the game because of a hamstring injury, Brevin Jordan stepped up big time. He caught three passes for 64 yards, a 21.3-yard average.
When Schultz returns, Jordan will give C.J. Stroud two dangerous weapons at tight end.
Grade: B
OFFENSIVE LINE
The overall run blocking was atrocious, especially in the second half when the Texans had 12 yards on 13 carries. That kind of production is inexcusable.
Stroud was sacked five times for 28 yards in losses. All weren’t the linemen’s fault because blitzes weren’t picked up, but the line was an issue for a second consecutive game after being so impressive during three-game winning streak.
Grade: D
DEFENSIVE LINE
Will Anderson Jr. had an incredible game with five tackles, two sacks, eight pressures, two tackles for loss, four quarterback hits, one tipped pass that led to a Derek Stingley Jr. interception and a tipped punt that set up a short field and led to a field goal.
The pressures tied his season high. Jonathan Greenard had a sack and pressured Russell Wilson on his last pass that was intercepted by Jimmie Ward.
Sheldon Rankins and Maliek Collins combined on six tackles, four by Rankins. The linemen played the run well and pressured Wilson.
Grade: A
LINEBACKERS
The Broncos ran 30 times for 118 yards, a 3.9 average per carry. But their three running backs, Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine and Jaleel McLaughlin combined for 18 carries, 62 yards and a 3.4 average.
The linebackers did a good job stopping the backs, but Russell Wilson was an issue because he ran 10 times for 44 yards, including valuable first downs.
Christian Harris, Blake Cashman and Denzel Perryman were each in on six tackles.
Grade: B
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Derek Stingley Jr. was outstanding. He intercepted Russell Wilson two times. He made a leaping interception on a deep pass in the middle of the field and another one on his knees.
Jimmie Ward secured the victory when he intercepted Wilson with nine seconds remaining. Desmond King participated in nine tackles.
Jalen Pitre led the team with six unassisted tackles but gave up a touchdown on a long pass to Courtland Sutton. Sutton had a 45-yard reception and Jerry Jeudy a 41-yarder.
Grade: B
SPECIAL TEAMS
They were called for penalties on back-to-back punts by Cam Johnston that affected field position. Johnston punted seven times, including two inside the 20. His gross average was 50.6 yards and his net was 43.9.
Matt Ammendola was perfect on three field goals, connecting from 29, 38 and 38 yards.
Grade: B
COACHING
DeMeco Ryans and his assistants have led the Texans to seven victories – their combined total from the last two seasons. They’ve helped the team overcome injuries at almost every position except quarterback, but nothing seems to faze them.
That’s a sign of terrific coaching, and Sunday was another example. Ryans, offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, defensive coordinator Matt Burke and special teams coordinator Frank Ross as well as the position coaches have improved the coaching significantly.
Grade: A-minus
John McClain can be heard Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday on SportsRadio 610 and Monday, Thursday and Sunday on Texans Radio, also on SportsRadio 610. He writes five columns a week and does three Houtopia Football Podcasts for SportsRadio610.com.