Fresh off a rout of the Dallas Cowboys and sitting atop the AFC West, the Denver Broncos (6-2) travel to Houston to take on a Texans team (3-4) that is starting to feel a little bit better about themselves and their postseason hopes following a convincing win over San Francisco.

However, the Raiders' front office has been rebuilt in the image of the Broncos, with several key executives, including GM John Spytek, formerly being part of Denver's scouting department. Spytek was a scout under former GM John Elway during the Peyton Manning years.

The Denver guard hadn't played on the left side of the line since "the Obama administration," but he has thrived in place of Ben Powers.

After starring on special teams with the Broncos from 2023-2024, cornerback Tremon Smith left the club during free agency this offseason to return to Houston, where he previously played from 2021-2022. Smith was one of three in-house free agents that Denver lost after attempting to re-sign them this spring.

The Denver Broncos bucked off the Dallas Cowboys 44-24 in their most convincing win of 2025. The Broncos' offense looked unstoppable, and their defense bullied Dak Prescott to the tune of two sacks and two interceptions despite missing Patrick Surtain II for half the game.

Facing teams with poor pass rushes, such as the Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers or BESFs, Texans QB C.J. Stroud is able to quickly toss darts to the fleet footed receiving corps, with a little help from TE Dalton Schultz and RB Woody Marks.

The Broncos have won a league-leading nine-straight home games. Overall, they're tied with the Patriots with five-straight wins in 2025.