By intercepting Russell Wilson, the Houston safety ended the Broncos' winning streak.
Houston Texans (7-5) – Denver Broncos (6-6): 22-17
In a match that took a long time to get going, both teams gave us a suspenseful end to the match. With just under five minutes left in the game and trailing by five points, the Broncos started on their 20-yard line. Arriving at Houston's 8 and with only 23 seconds on the clock, Russell Wilson (15/26, 186 yards, 1TD, 3int; 10 races, 44 yards, 1TD) desperately tries to find a target. The first and second attempts do not find a receiver's hands. The third finishes in those of Jimmy Ward.
JIMMIE WARD. GAME OVER. pic.twitter.com/t4wkBvspZ2
— NFL (@NFL) December 3, 2023
In a match that they led from start to finish, the Texans scared themselves. CJ Stroud (16/27, 274 yards, 1TD) was quickly deprived of Tank Dell, injured in the ankle. He was able to count on Nico Collins (9 receptions, 191 yards, 1TD) who for a long time seemed to be the only player capable of moving the chains on the field.
Nico Collins and that's it
The start of the meeting is to the advantage of the locals. Carried by Collins, who had already accumulated 117 yards at the end of the first quarter, the Texans quickly took off. A touchdown from Demeon Pierce (15 races, 41 yards, 1TD), and two field goals from Matt Ammendola bring the score to 13-0.
Opposite, it's running out of fuel. Between scoring points and making their punter shine, the Broncos chose the second solution. Denver's first four possessions ended with a punt. We had to wait until the fifth to see the Broncos open their counter. A field goal at the end of the first half reduced the deficit, 13-3 at the break.
When we return from the locker room, the rhythm does not change. The Broncos are as harmless as ever and the Texans only advance with Nico Collins. The receiver allows his team to score a third field goal, 16-3.
Broncos too short
Trailing by 13 points, Denver came very close to disaster. A slightly hasty whistle saved him from a fumble that had been returned for a touchdown. A decision with serious consequences since it leaves the Broncos in the match. On the next possession, Wilson took the opportunity to put his team back in the game. Ihe finally connects with Courtland Sutton (2 receptions, 77 yards, 1TD) for a 45-yard touchdown16-10.
The match finally gets underway. Under pressure, Stroud lets the ball escape but is saved by a teammate who recovers the fumble. The Texans punted and limited the damage. Wilson will not have the same success. His first pass, following the touchdown, ended up in the hands of a defender. The locals found themselves with ball in hand on the opposing 21 yards and did not let the opportunity pass them by. Collins is found in the endzone, the Texans take off again, 22-10.
Denver does not give up and Wilson finds Jerry Jeudy (3 receptions, 51 yards) for a gain of 41 yards. On the 1 yard, Wilson concludes himself and brings his team to five points. The defense makes sure to send the Houston offense to the bench and immediately gives the ball back to the Broncos. With 10 minutes left, Wilson had the ball to take the lead for the first time in the match. But once again, he will make the wrong decision. His pass to Sutton is a little too low and Derek Stingley takes the opportunity to sign his second interception of the match.
The Broncos defense continues its harassment work on Stroud and gives the ball back to his attack, with a little less than five minutes to play, 22-17. But once again, the possession ended with an interception and Denver's winning streak ended at five. The Texans bounce back after the defeat against the Jaguars and are in the race, more than ever, for the playoffs.
