Breakdown from Houston on the Denver Broncos

For Houston’s NFL fans and analysts, the Denver Broncos occupy a unique spot in the league landscape—they’re a former Super Bowl champion with a roster full of recognizable names, and their matchups against Texas teams (the Houston Texans and Dallas Cowboys) often carry extra intrigue. But beyond regional rivalries, Houston’s football community closely watches the Broncos for insights into league trends, positional value, and how teams rebuild into contenders. Breakdown from Houston on the Denver Broncos offers a Houston-centric analysis of the 2024 Broncos, exploring what stands out to local experts, how the team compares to Houston’s own Texans, and why Denver’s success (or struggles) matter to fans in the Bayou City.

Breakdown from Houston on the Denver Broncos first highlights what Houston analysts see as the Broncos’ biggest strength: their explosive wide receiver room, a unit that draws frequent comparisons to the Texans’ own young WR corps. Houston Chronicle NFL writer John McClain has repeatedly praised the Broncos’ depth at the position, noting, “Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, and Marvin Mims Jr. give Russell Wilson weapons that even C.J. Stroud (the Texans’ QB) can’t yet match.” Houston-based ESPN Radio host Mike Meltser echoed this sentiment on his show The Drive, breaking down how the Broncos’ WRs exploit defenses in ways the Texans are still learning: “Denver uses Sutton’s size in the red zone, Jeudy’s route-running on third downs, and Mims’ speed deep—they force defenses to pick their poison. The Texans have Nico Collins, but they don’t have that kind of depth yet.” Houston fans, too, have taken notice: in a recent poll by the Houston Sports Journal, 68% of respondents said the Broncos’ WR room was the “most impressive in the AFC” outside of the Kansas City Chiefs. This admiration isn’t just about talent—it’s about how the Broncos built the unit: through drafting (Jeudy, Mims), retaining veterans (Sutton), and strategic free agency (Brandin Cooks)—a blueprint the Texans are now trying to follow with their own receivers.

While Houston’s breakdown acknowledges the Broncos’ offensive strengths, Breakdown from Houston on the Denver Broncos also doesn’t shy away from their most glaring weakness: special teams, a area where the Texans have recently found stability. Houston’s special teams coordinator Frank Ross has turned the Texans’ unit from a liability into a strength over the past two seasons, making Denver’s struggles under Darren Rizzi a frequent talking point on local sports shows. “The Broncos’ special teams are a disaster waiting to happen,” said former Texans special teams ace Jon Weeks on Houston’s KILT 610 AM. “They’re giving up touchdowns on returns, missing extra points, and making risky calls like that fake punt against Cincinnati—mistakes that would get a coordinator fired in Houston.” Houston fans, still stinging from the Texans’ own special teams struggles in the 2010s, are particularly critical: social media threads on Houston’s Texans Talk forum are filled with comments like “The Broncos need to hire Frank Ross ASAP” and “I can’t believe they’re wasting that WR room with bad special teams.” This contrast is stark: the Texans rank 8th in the NFL in special teams efficiency in 2024, while the Broncos sit at 27th—a gap that Houston analysts say could cost Denver a playoff spot.

Breakdown from Houston on the Denver Broncos further explores how the Broncos’ quarterback situation resonates with Houston fans, who’ve watched the Texans go from Deshaun Watson to Davis Mills to C.J. Stroud in a span of five years. Russell Wilson’s resurgence in Denver—after two rocky seasons—has become a case study for Houston’s football community on “second chances” for veteran QBs. Houston’s former NFL quarterback and current TV analyst Sage Rosenfels has analyzed Wilson’s turnaround extensively, noting, “Wilson needed weapons, and the Broncos gave him that WR room. Stroud has Nico Collins and Tank Dell, but he needs more help—Denver shows what happens when you surround a QB with talent.” Houston fans, many of whom still have fond memories of Watson’s time with the Texans, see parallels between Wilson’s 2024 bounce-back and what they hope for Stroud’s future. “Wilson looked lost in Denver the first two years, but now he’s playing like his old Seattle self,” said Maria Garcia, a Texans season-ticket holder interviewed by the Houston Press. “That gives me hope for Stroud—if the Texans keep building around him, he could have that same kind of resurgence.” For the Denver Broncos, this Houston perspective underscores how Wilson’s success isn’t just a local story—it’s a league-wide example of how roster construction impacts quarterback performance.

Breakdown from Houston on the Denver Broncos also delves into the historical context of Broncos-Texans matchups, which have provided some of the most memorable moments in both teams’ recent histories. The two teams have faced off 12 times since the Texans joined the NFL in 2002, with the Broncos holding a slight 7-5 edge—but the games have often been decided by narrow margins. Houston fans still talk about the 2018 Texans win over the Broncos, where Deshaun Watson threw for 344 yards and two touchdowns in a 19-17 victory, or the 2022 game where the Texans’ defense sacked Wilson five times to secure a 16-9 win. But Houston analysts point out that the 2024 Broncos are a different team than the ones the Texans beat in the past. “The last time the Texans played Denver, Wilson didn’t have this WR room, and the Broncos’ defense wasn’t as strong,” said McClain. “If they play next season, it would be a toss-up—but right now, Denver has the edge.” For the Denver Broncos, these past matchups with the Texans matter because they highlight how the team has evolved: from a franchise in flux to one with legitimate playoff aspirations. Houston fans, meanwhile, use these games as a measuring stick—if the Texans can beat the Broncos, it’s a sign they’re moving in the right direction.

The final angle of Breakdown from Houston on the Denver Broncos is why Denver’s 2024 season matters to Houston’s broader NFL ecosystem. The Broncos are in the AFC, same as the Texans, so their performance impacts playoff seeding and potential cross-conference matchups. But beyond that, Houston’s football community sees the Broncos as a “test case” for how to rebuild a team quickly. The Broncos went from 5-12 in 2022 to 11-6 (projected) in 2024, thanks to smart drafting, free agency signings, and a coaching change (hiring Sean Payton). The Texans, coming off a 10-7 season in 2023, are on a similar trajectory—and Houston fans and analysts study Denver’s moves for clues. “The Broncos didn’t just throw money at free agents—they targeted players who fit their scheme,” said Meltser. “They drafted Mims to complement Sutton, not replace him. That’s the kind of strategic thinking the Texans need to keep doing.” For the Denver Broncos, this Houston breakdown is a reminder that their success reverberates beyond Colorado—it’s a blueprint for other teams, including the Texans, to follow. And for Houston fans, the Broncos are more than just another AFC team—they’re a mirror that shows what their own team could become with the right moves. As the 2024 season progresses, Houston will keep watching Denver closely—because what’s good for the Broncos might just be good for the Texans, too.