The Denver Broncos may be the favorites of people who bet on NFL when they clash with the Houston Texans on Monday, October 24th at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, but the that it was heformer’s QB Brock Osweiler is a man on a mission. And that mission is to show the Broncos it was he who should have led Denver to Super Bowl glory last season, and not Peyton Manning. Sure, he did get a championship ring even though he was benched, but that doesn’t count; it’s like that sham honorary Oscar they gave Peter O’Toole.
Texans +9 (-115) 40½ (-110) +295
Broncos -9 (-105) 40½ (-110) -360
Most people who bet on NFL at online sportsbooks might not believe this, but Mr. Osweiler is actually a very shy individual. As a matter of fact, he waited until a large portion of the local fans had left the stadium to throw two touchdown passes in less than 2 minutes in the fourth quarter to rally the Texans to a 26-23 overtime victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. He connected with running back Lamar Miller on a 10-yard catch-and-run score with 2:47 left.
Then he found tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz on a 26-yarder that tied the proceedings. Osweiler finished 25 of 39 for 269 passing yards. Inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney sacked Andrew Luck in the first overtime possession to force a punt. Osweiler threw a 36-yard pass to wide receiver Jaelen Strong to get the Texans to the 12. Kicker Nick Novak then converted a 33-yard field goal to win the game and make Houston the first team since the Broncos in 2011 to come back from a 14-point deficit in the last 3 minutes.
So hell bent is Osweiler on making Denver pay for its past sins that he is expected to play on Monday even after being added to the injury report with a foot injury. On the other hand, the Texans’ offense will be enhanced with the return of wide receiver Will Fuller who, like most of the crowd, missed the dramatic win last Sunday, due to a hamstring injury. Additionally, Houston expects to have a healthy starting offensive line for the first time this season, including Jeff Allen and Derek Newton. CB Kareem Jackson is also expected to return. All things considered, Texans fans who bet on NFL have reason to be optimistic.
Of course, the only return that really matters is that of Osweiler to Sports Authority Field. To say that Brock will face a hostile environment is the understatement of the season, and it will not be limited to the fans in the stands. “We want to kill him,” Denver linebacker Brandon Marshall said. Come on Brandon, tell us how you really feel. “It sounds like they miss me,” Osweiler replied via the Houston Chronicle. Osweiler knows how dangerous the Broncos defense is, especially LB Von Miller. In that case it will be nothing personal, though; if anyone knows that business is business, that’s Miller.