HOUSTON (AP) — Nico Collins had the very best sport of his profession, and the Texans’ protection got here up big to assist Houston hand Denver its first loss since mid-October.
Collins had a career-high 191 yards receiving and a fourth-quarter landing after fellow wideout Tank Dell left early with a season-ending damaged leg, and Jimmie Ward intercepted Russell Wilson ultimately zone with 9 seconds left to seal the Texans’ 22-17 victory over the Broncos on Sunday.
Ward leapt in entrance of supposed receiver Lucas Krull to safe the fourth victory in 5 video games for Houston (7-5) and snap a five-game profitable streak for Denver (6-6). Ward credited the move rush for permitting him to make the play.
“Typically when that strain will get on you, you make unhealthy selections and that’s what he did,” Ward mentioned.
Wilson was intercepted a season-high thrice, all of them after halftime. Derek Stingley Jr. had the primary two picks for the Texans. The Broncos had compelled 15 turnovers of their profitable streak however didn’t have a takeaway Sunday.
“We win the turnover battle and we gained the sport and that was the distinction,” Houston coach DeMeco Ryans mentioned.
Houston rookie C.J. Stroud threw for 274 yards to finish a streak of 4 straight video games with at the least 300 yards passing. One other star rookie, Dell, will miss the remainder of the season after breaking his left fibula within the first quarter, in accordance with an individual conversant in the damage. The particular person spoke to The Related Press on situation of anonymity as a result of the crew didn’t announce the severity of Dell’s damage.
Texans rookie defensive finish Will Anderson Jr., the third general decide within the draft, had the very best sport of his younger profession. The previous Alabama star had two sacks, 4 quarterback hits, deflected one of many balls that Stingley intercepted and deflected a punt.
“What a sport by Will,” Ryans mentioned. “That’s what we envisioned once we chosen him.”
Wilson threw for 186 yards with a landing in Denver’s first loss since Oct. 12.
“I’ll give it to our guys, we continued to battle,” coach Sean Payton mentioned. “We simply put ourselves in a bit of bit too huge of a gap right now. … We weren’t capable of make sufficient performs.”
Wilson was requested in regards to the remaining play and whether or not he ought to have tried to throw the ball away because it was third down.
“I noticed Krull one-on-one, and tried to place it excessive for him. They made a play,” Wilson mentioned. “We’ve received to attain a landing, clearly, to win the sport, and it didn’t go our method.”
Early within the fourth quarter, Wilson’s 41-yard move to Jerry Jeudy received Denver to the 1, and the QB ran for the landing on the subsequent play to chop Houston’s result in 22-17.
The Broncos received a cease and had been driving on the following possession when Stingley hopped in entrance of a move supposed for Courtland Sutton to present Houston the ball again.
Stroud was shaken up on a run on the subsequent drive and left the sport for 2 performs whereas he was examined within the medical tent on the sideline. He returned and was sacked earlier than the Texans punted.
Stroud mentioned the officers thought he was “out of it” after the play and compelled him to depart the sport to get checked.
Sutton grabbed a 45-yard landing move from Wilson that reduce the result in 16-10 with about 5 minutes remaining within the third. It was the 329th profession TD move for Wilson, who moved previous Dan Marino for second-most in a participant’s first 12 seasons.
Stroud was sacked and fumbled on third down on Houston’s subsequent possession, however the Texans received the ball again. They punted, however Stingley intercepted Wilson on Denver’s first play on a ball that was deflected by Anderson.
The Texans cashed in on the miscue when Collins scored on a 3-yard reception on the second play of the fourth quarter. Houston led 22-10 after its 2-point attempt failed.
Collins had 927 yards receiving mixed in his first two NFL seasons. He leads the Texans with 991 yards this yr.
“I’m simply proud to see his work repay,” Stroud mentioned. “Blessed to have the ability to be able to feed him like that and he’s positively stepped up once we wanted him to.”
The Texans compelled a three-and-out on the primary possession of the second half when Anderson sacked Wilson on first down and Jonathan Greenard took him down on third down. Houston pushed the result in 16-3 on Matt Ammendola’s 38-yard area objective.
The Texans led by three within the first quarter after they went for it on fourth-and-2. Houston was referred to as for a false begin on the play, however Alex Singleton hit Stroud late to attract an pointless roughness penalty and provides the Texans a primary down on the Broncos 3.
Two performs later, Pierce bulled in for the landing to make it 10-0. Dell was injured when he received rolled up on the finish of Pierce’s run.
INJURIES
Broncos G Quinn Meinerz left within the fourth quarter with a shoulder damage.
UP NEXT
Broncos: Go to the Los Angeles Rams subsequent Sunday.
Texans: Go to the New York Jets subsequent Sunday.
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