Houston Texans @ Denver Broncos. 3:25. 9/23. **Official GameDay Thread**

[ThaShark316]

These ain't yo' daddy's Texans, Peyton.

The Houston Texans have had little trouble rolling over a couple of overmatched opponents in the first two weeks.

It would seem they'll get a much stiffer test in their third game with a date with an old adversary, but with the way Peyton Manning played last week the Texans could be poised for another lopsided victory.

Houston tries to open with three wins for the first time in franchise history Sunday when it visits the Denver Broncos and Manning, who is looking to bounce back from a forgettable performance.

The Texans are first in the NFL in total defense (196.0 yards per game) and scoring defense (8.5 per game), but that shouldn't come as much of a surprise considering their first two opponents were Miami and Jacksonville. They forced four turnovers in Ryan Tannehill's debut in a 30-10 win over the Dolphins in Week 1 and allowed a franchise-low 117 yards in last Sunday's 27-7 victory in Jacksonville.

Houston, the only NFL team to open 2-0 in each of the last three seasons, expects a much greater challenge this time around.

"These two are behind us, and it's time to start looking forward,'' said Houston coach Gary Kubiak, who backed up John Elway with the Broncos from 1983-91 and later worked on Denver's staff under Mike Shanahan. "We know we've got a huge test coming down there, with Peyton leading the way for them and the type of player he is."

The type of player Manning is, however, isn't completely clear.

After throwing two touchdowns and finishing with a 129.2 passer rating in leading the Broncos to a 31-19 victory over Pittsburgh in Week 1, Manning had three interceptions in the first eight minutes of Monday night's 27-21 loss to Atlanta. The NFL's only four-time MVP insists the picks were because of poor decisions and not his surgically repaired neck.

More picks here: http://challengegames.nfl.com/pickem...me-day-morning

What I want to see:

Pressure up-the-gut on Mr. Manning.

Now, I know this might be rather tough with the fact that the 'D' might be in a lot of 2-3-6 (nickel), but still, this means a lot of JJ Watt and Ninja reeking havoc on Denver's interior line. Going to be looking for some twists, stunts, etc to try and get their line feeling the heat, thus making Peyton feel that same heat.

Come out throwing, then pound 'em with the run.

Nothing changes when it comes to that. Throw the ball, get that D on their heels and make them have to stop everyone and everything. Our offense is one of the best in the game. Let's show the nation why that is. I don't think (I'm guessing) we won't feature the muddle huddle as much as we did vs. JAX due to wanting to keep Manning off the field, but I expect some of it.

Help Newton with Miller (or Dumervil).

Chip Miller with a running back or TE as much as possible to slow him down a bit. We can not have Schaub running for his life and/or allowing the dreaded sack-fumble from Miller or Dumervil.

Go for some strips of McGahee/Moreno; watch for their trap runs in the Gun.

The Broncos two RB's have both lost fumbles in back to back weeks. With that said, go for the football. Winning turnover battles might be cliche, but on the road it's huge. Also, don't forget about the Falcons game. ATL had some issues stopping the run when Denver got in the shotgun. McGahee was especially effective.

Week 3 is upon us, fam. First time for everything week! First win over Manning on the road, first 3-0 start, and first win at Denver. You like the sound of all those, because I damn sure do! 1-0. That's the goal every week! Let's get this W and show the nation who these brothers are! LET'S MUTHA****IN' GO, TEXANS!!!!

[Fili]

Didn't know we'd be favored by that much. Still think it'll be a great game, but pull through 2nd half.

[ThaJokaa]

[Norg]

it would make me so happy if the texans win since monday i have to go to the denist .... ewwwwww

[GlassHalfFull]

Originally Posted by Norg

it would make me so happy if the texans win since monday i have to go to the denist .... ewwwwww

Somehow, I never pictured you with teeth.......

Anyway, back to business. Bronco busting bidness that is.... Go Texans

[CloakNNNdagger]

Turnovers against the broncos could be crucial, but let's not minimize the importance of Foster/Tate securing the ball all game long.

[Kthx]

Hope we open up the deep ball today, get a few touchdown lead and force Peyton to have to throw the ball deep due to time restraints. Open up strong offensively and make Peyton have to hold onto the ball longer, or take longer shots downfield which gives us a better chance for a few Int's. Still like 8 hours left.. hate middle day games.

[Thorn]

Originally Posted by GlassHalfFull

Somehow, I never pictured you with teeth.......
Anyway, back to business. Bronco busting bidness that is.... Go Texans

Poor norg, he sure does take a lot of crap around here.

Back to my game, then I gotta figure out what I'm cooking today. I think some highly spiced up chicken and rice sounds good.

[ObsiWan]

Originally Posted by GlassHalfFull

Somehow, I never pictured you with teeth.......

Now that wasn't very nice....

[dream_team]

Need to keep the winning streak going! I live in the SF Bay Area and I'm getting tired of everyone around here claiming they have the best team in the NFL.

[Malloy]

I'm nervous about this game. We win it, we're legitimate, we lose it we might be in trouble the rest of the season.

[Showtime100]

I wonder what EmDiggy would do right now.

[Thorn]

There's only one thing I can't stand about football season, I can't sleep late on Sunday mornings. The second I stir just a tad, I'm wide awake.

GO TEXANS!

[Cjeremy635]

This will be one of the few games I haven't watched on TV. I'm in Arroyo City, last morning fishing Laguna Madre. No way I'll make it back in time for kickoff. I have the DVR set to record & I'm hoping to be able to listen to the game on the drive back.

Denver makes me nervous, but our boys are one tough & determined group. I'm looking forward to making Peyton pay for a decade's worth of ass whippins'!

[ObsiWan]

Originally Posted by Thorn

There's only one thing I can't stand about football season, I can't sleep late on Sunday mornings. The second I stir just a tad, I'm wide awake.

GO TEXANS!

You apparently aren't drinking enough on Saturday night

[steelbtexan]

Originally Posted by Thorn

There's only one thing I can't stand about football season, I can't sleep late on Sunday mornings. The second I stir just a tad, I'm wide awake.

GO TEXANS!

Me too

I'm sure looking forward to the Texans taking out some revenge on Peyton for all of those yrs of beatdowns.

[TejasTom]

Texans' inactives at Denver: WR Posey, QB Beck, CB Carmichael, CB Harris, ILB Dobbins, T Gardner, G Brooks.

Posted using Tapatalk from my phone. May contain errors.

[Rey]

I dont like dobbins being inactive. I wonder when he got hurt...

I could have sworn he started or came in super early in place of bradie James last week.

[kiwitexansfan]

Time for our guys to put on their big boy pants and show the world why they should be considered superbowl contenders. Need to go out there and dominate another good team.

MOOD: Nervous but optimistic.

[Showtime100]

I'm nervous, but that describes every NFL Sunday of my life.