Houston Goes Up 31-11The Texans followed up a 46-yard completion from quarterback Matt Schaub to wide receiver Lestar Jean with a 14-yard touchdown strike from Schaub to tight end Owen Daniels. The score gives Houston a 31-11 lead.
Earlier in the drive, Schaub hooked up with tight end James Casey for 12 yards. Houston ran the ball just once on the five-play, 72-yard drive.
Texans Field Goal Makes It 24-11Houston now leads by 13 thanks to a 41-yard field goal by kicker Shayne Graham.
Graham’s kick capped a 7-play, 39-yard drive. The drive was aided before it started on a 15-yard kick-catch interference call. The Texans also got a boost from a pair of 15-yard, roughing-the-passer penalties on back-to-back plays.
A pair of runs set the Texans up with third-and-2 before linebacker Von Miller drew a holding penalty that forced Houston into a third-and-12. Schaub’s pass was defended by Chris Harris to bring on the field goal unit.
Broncos Induct Rod Smith
The Broncos inducted wide receiver Rod Smith into the Ring of Fame at halftime of this afternoon’s contest against the Houston Texans. Smith becomes the 23rd member of the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame.
Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen presented Smith his ring at midfield, and the crowd watched a video tribute on the scoreboard. Smith thanked Denver fans and everyone who supported him, then led the crowd in a “Go Broncos” chant.
I really can’t start thanking everybody, but definitely (Broncos owner) Mr. (Pat) Bowlen runs a first-class organization,” Smith said. “Everybody that has ever worked for the Denver Broncos, from the guys who cut the grass to the trainers and every single person.”
Smith went on to describe how much the honor means to him.
“It’s special to be the 23rd person (in the Ring of Fame),” Smith said. “It means I did something right along the way, and I just appreciate this organization; I appreciate the community. I’ve always just wanted to do one thing, and that’s earn the respect of the organization and the community, and, I think this is one of those moments that’s awesome for me and my family.”
Smith, who started his 14-year tenure as a Bronco as an undrafted free agent, went on to amass 849 receptions for 11,389 yards and 68 touchdowns. He was a key member of the Broncos’ Super Bowl champion teams in 1997 and 1998.
Half Ends With Woodyard’s Pick Setting Up Prater’s 53-yarderWith Houston driving and nearly in field goal position, Broncos linebacker Wesley Woodyard ended the threat when he jumped in front of a pass by Matt Schaub and recorded a one-handed interception, the second pick of his career.
The interception set up the Broncos for a quick field goal drive. Quarterback Peyton Manning found wide receiver Eric Decker for completions of 22 and 6 yards, putting the Broncos in field goal range for kicker Matt Prater with six seconds left in the half. The kicker drilled a 53-yarder to pull Denver to within 10 points at 21-11. That’s the score at halftime.
Injury UpdateBroncos Cut Lead To 21-8The Broncos responded to the Texans’ touchdown with a 9-play, 75-yard drive featuring consecutive completions to the Broncos’ tight ends. First, quarterback Peyton Manning found Joel Dreessen for a gain of 30. Manning followed that completion with a 6-yarder to tight end Jacob Tamme.
The Broncos moved inside the Texans’ red zone on a 23-yard completion to wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, with Denver picking up extra yards thanks to a roughing-the-passer penalty. But the Broncos were unable to find the end zone, setting up a 23-yard field goal by kicker Matt Prater.
Texans Push Ahead 21-5Taking over at their own 43-yard line, the Texans quickly put together a third straight scoring drive that covered 57 yards in just two plays.
After a 5-yard gain on first down by running back Arian Foster, Houston quarterback Matt Schaub found wide receiver Kevin Walter open deep down the middle of the field for a 52-yard touchdown pass on play-action. The score is now 21-5, Houston.
Long Drive Gives Houston 14-5 LeadStarting at their own 3-yard line, the Texans marched 97 yards for a touchdown that brings the score to 14-5, Texans.
The Texans started the drive with most of the yardage coming on the ground, including a 22-yard run and an 8-yard run by Arian Foster.
Houston then moved into scoring position with a 19-yard pass on third-and-11 from quarterback Matt Schaub to wide receiver Keshawn Martin that put the ball on the Denver 31-yard line. On the following play, Schaub hooked up with tight end Garrett Graham for a 27-yard gain that set Houston up on the 4-yard line.
On first down, Broncos defensive end Elvis Dumervil pressured Schaub into an incompletion. But on second down, Schaub finished the drive by finding Foster in the flat for a 3-yard touchdown completion.
Prater Makes It 5-0, Texans AnswerThe Texans have a 7-5 lead with 6:28 to play in the first quarter on a 60-yard bomb from quarterback Matt Schaub to wide receiver Andre Johnson.
The Broncos led 5-0 after a 32-yard field goal by kicker Matt Prater. That scoring drive started on the Broncos’ 40-yard line after the Texans had to punt following a safety.
The Broncos moved the ball 46 yards in 10 plays for the field goal. The drive was highlighted by a 14-yard pass on third down from quarterback Peyton Manning to tight end Jacob Tamme, which put the ball on the Texans’ 20-yard line. Earlier in the drive, Manning found fullback Chris Gronkowski for an 11-yard gain along the sideline.
The Texans quickly responded on the following drive, with Schaub finding Johnson for the long touchdown on first-and-19. The strike followed back-to-back false start penalties on the Texans.
Safety Puts Broncos on the BoardOn the Texans’ first offensive snap of the game, Broncos defensive end Elvis Dumervil got to Houston quarterback Matt Schaub for a safety.
The sack is Dumervil’s first of the season and gives the Broncos a 2-0 lead and possession of the football. It marks the Broncos’ first safety since Dec. 30, 2007. The big play was set up by a 57-yard punt by punter Britton Colquitt, who pinned the Texans on their 5-yard line.