The Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson gives his scouting report for Sunday’s game between the Broncos (6-2) and Texans (3-4) at NRG Stadium in Houston.

Offense

In last Sunday’s 44-24 win over Dallas, the Broncos finally showed some consistency on offense throughout a game. Bo Nix threw for 247 yards and four touchdowns and J.K. Dobbins ran for 111 yards. But that was against a team that came in ranked No. 32 and last in the NFL in total defense. It will be much tougher at Houston, and Denver won’t have receiver Marvin Mims Jr., who is out with a concussion. The Texans struggled on offense to start the season, which is why they got off to a 0-3 start. But after averaging 12.7 points in their first three games, they’ve averaged 31.3 in the past four while winning three of them. Quarterback C.J. Stroud has thrown for 1,623 yards and 11 touchdowns. He has nine touchdowns and just two picks in the past four games. Houston alternates running backs Nick Chubb and Woody Marks, who have combined for 535 yards.

Advantage: Broncos

Defense

The Broncos are No. 5 in the NFL in both scoring and total defense, and players regularly say they have the league’s top unit. But Denver will be without star cornerback Pat Surtain II, who has a pectoral strain. Kris Abrams-Draine was solid filling in for Surtain in the second half against Dallas. The Broncos have a league-best 36 sacks, but edge Nik Bonitto hasn’t had one in the last two games after having 8 in the first six. Statistically, the Texans have the top unit, being No. 1 in the NFL in both scoring and total defense. They have a pair of intimidating edge rushers in Will Anderson, who has 5 sacks, and Danielle Hunter, who has 4. Derek Stingley Jr. made the Pro Bowl last season and is developing into one of the NFL’s top cornerbacks. Safety Jalen Pitre has three interceptions.

Advantage: Texans

Coaching

After some grumbling about Sean Payton’s play calling, the Broncos scored 44 against the Cowboys, the most points in his three Denver seasons. The Broncos got their run game going early with Dobbins and with rookie RJ Harvey, who had two rushing touchdowns, one a 40-yard jaunt, and a receiving touchdown. Payton, regarded as one of the NFL’s top offensive head coaches, will match wits with Houston’s DeMeco Ryans, one of the league’s top defensive head coaches. Ryans, a former NFL linebacker in his third season with the Texans, has molded a tough, hard-hitting team. Ryans has a solid 23-18 coaching record and is looking to lead the Texans to a third straight playoff berth. They have won a playoff game in each of the past two seasons. Before his arrival, the Texans had gone three straight years without a playoff berth.

Advantage: Broncos

Intangibles

The Broncos are looking to make up for a devastating 22-17 last-second loss at Houston in Week 13 in 2023. The defeat broke a five-game winning streak and hampered Denver’s chances of making the playoffs. The Broncos have won five straight games and are as confident as they have been under Payton. But the Broncos know a lot of what they did on offense against the Cowboys might not work at Houston. The Texans are desperately trying to fight their way back into playoff contention after their 0-3 start. They are coming off an impressive 26-15 home win over San Francisco that was considered a must-win game. With the Texans having been energized, a raucous crowd is expected at NRG Stadium. Houston is 2-1 at home this season and 13-7 in Ryans’ three seasons with the team.

Advantage: Texans