Denver’s offense had to operate without its defense forcing a turnover against the Texans.

And the Broncos’ offense struggled in Houston.

After forcing three or more turnovers in four consecutive games and 16 total during their five-game winning streak, the Broncos failed to snag an interception or recover a fumble in the 22-17 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday at NRG Stadium.

During the win streak, Denver’s longest since 2015, the Broncos struggled to convert those turnovers into points and scored just 35 on 16 turnovers – two touchdowns and seven field goals.

In contests where the Broncos failed to force a turnover this season – now three games – they’re 0-3.

Except for a season-high 33 points against Washington in Week 2, the Broncos have also struggled to score in those games.

Against Miami in Week 3, the Broncos allowed an NFL season-high 70 points to the Dolphins and only scored 20.

On the road in Houston, the Broncos struggled to find their rhythm on offense.

“They did a good job of stopping us on third down,” Denver quarterback Russell Wilson told reporters postgame. “We had some key plays on first and second down that could have given us a little more action down the field and run game …they did a good job of making it third and long, third and medium. Third down is about finding a way whether that’s throwing it or running it.”

And the Broncos never found that path.

Denver finished the game 0 for 11 on third downs and had three second-half interceptions that led to six points for the Texans.

Wilson’s final interception occurred in the end zone with 16 seconds left in the game.

The 12-year vet had not thrown three interceptions in a game since Dec. 22, 2022, in a 51-14 loss to the Rams.

Prior to Sunday, Wilson had not tossed three picks in a half since Jan. 19, 2015, when he was a Seahawk and had two completions and three picks against the Green Bay Packers in the first half of the NFC Championship, which Seattle won 28-22.

“You hate losing – as a competitor you always want to win,” Wilson said. “You go out there and you play to win. … We felt like we were going to come out on top. I have to play cleaner; we all have to be better, but I have to play cleaner.”