The Denver Broncos (6-2) and Houston Texans (3-4) meet in Week 9 on Sunday, Nov. 2. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. ET from NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. The game will broadcast on FOX.
The Texans are 1.5-point favorites over the Broncos on the spread (Texans -1.5; -118); the game total is 40.5 points. Houston is a -130 moneyline favorite; Denver is a +114 underdog.
Let's get into my Broncos vs Texans predictions and picks for today's game.
Denver Broncos vs Houston Texans Predictions & Picks
- Broncos vs Texans pick: Texans -1.5 (-110)
My Texans vs. Broncos best bet is on Houston to cover the spread. Find the best odds by checking our live NFL odds page.
Broncos vs Texans Odds
| Broncos Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -104 | 40.5 -110o / -110u | +114 |
| Texans Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 -118 | 40.5 -110o / -110u | -130 |
Broncos vs Texans Week 9 Preview, Prediction
I'm going to keep it simple: I like the Texans in this spot. They have the better quarterback, the better defense and they’re playing at home.
C.J. Stroud hasn't exactly lived up to the expectations that he set during his standout rookie year, but he’s still comfortably ahead of the Broncos' Bo Nix in almost every metric.
Stroud also enters today's game with positive moment after going 30-for-39 for 318 yards and two touchdowns against the 49ers.
Houston’s defense has also been lights out, especially against the pass – one of the most efficient units in the league so far this year.
Meanwhile, Denver’s defense takes a massive hit with Patrick Surtain II sidelined with a strained pectoral. His absence completely changes how the Broncos can play.
Surtain erases top receivers and allows the Broncos defense to be aggressive. Without him, the drop-off to Kris Abrams-Draine is huge, and the ripple effect through the rest of the secondary is even bigger.
The Broncos may sit at 6-2, but look at the schedule — they barely survived against the Cowboys, needed a miracle comeback against the Eagles, beat Jake Browning, and beat the Titans. The Broncos have four one-possession wins on the year.
Broncos vs Texans Predictions, Spread Betting Analysis
The Texans should get Christian Kirk and Nico Collins back for this game, which is big for their passing attack.
C.J. Stroud looked sharper last week against San Francisco, and with Woody Marks emerging as a real weapon out of the backfield, there are enough options for the Texans to stress a depleted Denver defense.
The Broncos rank bottom-three in the league defending running backs in the passing game, which could be a difference-maker in a matchup with a low total.
It won’t be pretty, but in what should be a grind-it-out game, I’ll back the better quarterback and the more complete defense at home.
Pick: Texans -1.5 (-110)
Texans vs Broncos Spread Prediction
My Texans vs Broncos bet is on Houston to cover the spread.
Moneyline
I'm targeting the spread instead of the moneyline in this game.
Over/Under
I have no play on the game total.
Broncos vs Texans Betting Trends
Broncos vs Texans Viewing Info: Channel, Start Time, Streaming
| Location: | NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas |
| Date: | Sunday, Nov. 2 |
| Time: | 1 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming Options: | FOX |
For the latest on NFL injuries, be sure to check out our NFL Injury Report page.
