Final2025 Week 9

Reliant Stadium, Houston, TX

Denver Broncos vs Houston Texans, Week 9 2025

Denver Broncos

AwayWon

18

Houston Texans

Home

15

Scoring by quarter
TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Broncos0701118
Texans393015

DEN 18HOU 15 Final

  • Passing leader

    Bo Nix

    DEN · QB

    19.5PPR pts

    18/37, 173 YDS, 2 TD, 1 INT

  • Top fantasy scorer

    RJ Harvey

    DEN · RB

    16.6PPR pts

    2 ATT, 5 YDS, 5 REC, 51 REC YDS, 1 REC TD

  • Texans leader

    Nico Collins

    HOU · WR

    14.5PPR pts

    7 REC, 75 YDS

  • Defensive playmaker

    Calen Bullock

    HOU

    1 INT, 2 TKL

Broncos 18, Texans 15: Denver rallies from 5 down at halftime

Denver erased a 12–7 halftime deficit, outscoring Houston 11–3 after the break to win 18–15. The Broncos finished with a narrow 271–268 edge in total offense and averaged 4.4 yards per play.

The Texans went 3-for-17 on third down.

Key advantages

  • +0.7 yards/play DEN 4.4 · HOU 3.7
  • +3 total yards DEN 271 · HOU 268
  • +22% third-down rate DEN 40% · HOU 18%

Game Highlights

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

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Why the Broncos Won

Denver won the efficiency and third-down battles.

Team stats comparison, Broncos vs Texans
BroncosStatTexans
4.4Yards per play3.7
271Total yards268
40%Third-down conversion18%
Other team stats
61Plays72
2Turnovers0
25:24Time of possession34:36

Scoring Summary

The Broncos scored two touchdowns and one field goal; the Texans scored five field goals.

Scoring plays, Broncos vs Texans
TimeTeamPlayDENHOU
1st quarter
0:04HOUKa'imi Fairbairn 23-yard FG Takes lead03
2nd quarter
7:11HOUKa'imi Fairbairn 41-yard FG Extends lead06
4:52DENBo Nix → Courtland Sutton, 30-yard TD Takes leadWil Lutz XP76
1:52HOUKa'imi Fairbairn 38-yard FG Takes lead79
0:00HOUKa'imi Fairbairn 40-yard FG Extends lead712
3rd quarter
9:18HOUKa'imi Fairbairn 41-yard FG Extends lead715
4th quarter
12:28DENBo Nix → RJ Harvey, 27-yard TD Ties gameBo Nix → Troy Franklin, 2-pt conversion1515
0:00DENWil Lutz 34-yard FG Game winner1815

Fantasy Points: Broncos vs Texans, Week 9 2025

Fantasy leaders

  1. Bo NixDENQB19.5 PTSQB14
  2. RJ HarveyDENRB16.6 PTSRB11
  3. Nico CollinsHOUWR14.5 PTSWR24
  4. Dalton SchultzHOUTE13.7 PTSTE7

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
PlayerFPTSFINCMP/ATTPass YDSTDINTRush ATTRush YDSRush TDRateStart/Sit
Bo NixDENQB19.5QB1418/3717321336068.9Start/Sit →
Davis MillsHOUQB6.2QB2717/301370027068.3Start/Sit →
C.J. StroudHOUQB4.4QB286/107900212085.0Start/Sit →

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
PlayerFPTSFINPOSRush ATTRush YDSRush TDTGTRECRec YDSRec TDStart/Sit
RJ HarveyDENRB16.6RB11RB25055511Start/Sit →
Nico CollinsHOUWR14.5WR24WR———117750Start/Sit →
Dalton SchultzHOUTE13.7TE7TE———86770Start/Sit →
Courtland SuttonDENWR10.0WR36WR———61301Start/Sit →
Troy FranklinDENWR8.3WR48WR2-40104270Start/Sit →
J.K. DobbinsDENRB6.9RB33RB1561011-20Start/Sit →
Christian KirkHOUWR6.6WR54WR———84260
Xavier HutchinsonHOUWR6.0WR57WR———53300Start/Sit →
Adam TrautmanDENTE4.5TE35TE———22250Start/Sit →
Pat BryantDENWR4.0WR63WR———32200Start/Sit →
Nick ChubbHOURB3.4RB44RB11340————
Woody MarksHOURB2.7RB48RB102703000Start/Sit →
Tyler BadieDENRB2.6RB49RB———3260Start/Sit →
Jayden HigginsHOUWR1.4WR92WR———1140
Harrison BryantHOUTE1.2TE53TE———2120
Dare OgunbowaleHOURB1.2RB58RB———1120Start/Sit →
Michael BandyDENWR0.6WR96WR———11160
British BrooksHOURB0.0—RB200————Start/Sit →
Evan EngramDENTE0.0—TE———3000Start/Sit →
Jaylin NoelHOUWR-0.3—WR1-30————Start/Sit →

Fantasy Usage

Denver Broncos

Snap Share

  1. Courtland SuttonWR58 snaps92%
  2. Troy FranklinWR50 snaps79%
  3. Adam TrautmanTE46 snaps73%
  4. Pat BryantWR36 snaps57%
  5. Evan EngramTE32 snaps51%

Target Share34 targets

  1. Troy Franklin29%, 10 targets
  2. Courtland Sutton18%, 6 targets
  3. RJ Harvey15%, 5 targets
  4. Evan Engram9%, 3 targets
  5. Tyler Badie9%, 3 targets
  6. Other21%, 7 targets

Carry Share22 carries

  1. J.K. Dobbins68%, 15 carries
  2. Bo Nix14%, 3 carries
  3. Troy Franklin9%, 2 carries
  4. RJ Harvey9%, 2 carries

Houston Texans

Snap Share

  1. Dalton SchultzTE58 snaps79%
  2. Nico CollinsWR58 snaps79%
  3. Xavier HutchinsonWR46 snaps63%
  4. Christian KirkWR41 snaps56%
  5. Woody MarksRB35 snaps48%

Target Share39 targets

  1. Nico Collins28%, 11 targets
  2. Christian Kirk21%, 8 targets
  3. Dalton Schultz21%, 8 targets
  4. Xavier Hutchinson13%, 5 targets
  5. Woody Marks8%, 3 targets
  6. Other10%, 4 targets

Carry Share28 carries

  1. Nick Chubb39%, 11 carries
  2. Woody Marks36%, 10 carries
  3. Davis Mills7%, 2 carries
  4. C.J. Stroud7%, 2 carries
  5. British Brooks7%, 2 carries
  6. Other4%, 1 carries
View full usage tableHide full usage table
Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
PlayerSNAPSSNAP %TGTTGT %CAR
Courtland SuttonDENWR5892%618%0
Dalton SchultzHOUTE5879%821%0
Nico CollinsHOUWR5879%1128%0
Troy FranklinDENWR5079%1029%2
Adam TrautmanDENTE4673%26%0
Xavier HutchinsonHOUWR4663%513%0
Pat BryantDENWR3657%39%0
Christian KirkHOUWR4156%821%0
Evan EngramDENTE3251%39%0
Woody MarksHOURB3548%38%10
Jayden HigginsHOUWR3548%13%0
J.K. DobbinsDENRB2946%13%15
Nick ChubbHOURB2636%00%11
RJ HarveyDENRB2032%515%2
Harrison BryantHOUTE2027%25%0
Tyler BadieDENRB1422%39%0
Dare OgunbowaleHOURB1216%13%0
British BrooksHOURB1115%00%2
Jaylin NoelHOUWR1115%00%1
Trent SherfieldDENWR813%00%0
Marcedes LewisDENTE610%00%0
Michael BandyDENWR610%13%0

Fantasy Points vs Expected

Expected points (xFP) are what a player's pass attempts, carries and targets are worth at the league's average rates; the difference is what the player made of them.

  • Biggest overperformer+6.8RJ Harvey16.6 PTS vs 9.8 xFP
  • Biggest underperformer−10.0Troy Franklin8.3 PTS vs 18.3 xFP
  • Highest expected volume18.8 xFPNico Collins14.5 PTS scored
Usage and expected fantasy points
PlayerPTSxFPvs xFPSnap%UsageRte%Pass attCarCar%TgtTgt%
Nico CollinsHOU · WR14.518.8−4.379%28% tgt—000%1128%
Bo NixDEN · QB19.518.4+1.1100%37 att—37313%00%
Troy FranklinDEN · WR8.318.3−10.079%29% tgt—029%1029%
Davis MillsHOU · QB6.214.6−8.468%30 att—3027%00%
Christian KirkHOU · WR6.613.6−7.056%21% tgt—000%821%
Dalton SchultzHOU · TE13.713.6+0.179%21% tgt—000%821%
Woody MarksHOU · RB2.711.6−8.948%36% car—01036%38%
J.K. DobbinsDEN · RB6.911.4−4.546%65% car—01565%13%
Courtland SuttonDEN · WR10.010.2−0.292%18% tgt—000%618%
RJ HarveyDEN · RB16.69.8+6.832%15% tgt—029%515%
Xavier HutchinsonHOU · WR6.08.5−2.563%13% tgt—000%513%
Nick ChubbHOU · RB3.47.1−3.736%39% car—01139%00%
C.J. StroudHOU · QB4.45.7−1.332%10 att—1027%00%
Evan EngramDEN · TE0.05.1−5.151%9% tgt—000%39%
Pat BryantDEN · WR4.05.1−1.157%9% tgt—000%39%
Tyler BadieDEN · RB2.65.1−2.522%9% tgt—000%39%
Adam TrautmanDEN · TE4.53.4+1.173%6% tgt—000%26%
Harrison BryantHOU · TE1.23.4−2.227%5% tgt—000%25%
Dare OgunbowaleHOU · RB1.21.7−0.516%3% tgt—000%13%
Jayden HigginsHOU · WR1.41.7−0.348%3% tgt—000%13%
Michael BandyDEN · WR0.61.7−1.110%3% tgt—000%13%
British BrooksHOU · RB0.01.3−1.315%7% car—027%00%
Adam PrenticeDEN · RB0.20.6−0.4—4% car—014%00%
Jaylin NoelHOU · WR-0.30.6−0.915%4% car—014%00%

Team totals: Broncos 34 targets and 23 carries; Texans 39 targets and 28 carries. Shares are from the box score. Snap counts are from the weekly player logs (Sleeper), and include plays wiped out by penalties. Route counts, air yards and red-zone touches appear when the tracking feed is connected. League-average rates from the 2025 season: 1.70 PPR points per target (67% catch rate), 0.65 per carry and 0.44 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

Bo Nix

DEN · QB · 19.5 pts on 18.4 expected

18 of 37 passing for 173 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception; 3 carries for 36 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 18.4 expected.

Start/Sit: Bo Nix →

Davis Mills Unlucky

HOU · QB · 6.2 pts on 14.6 expected

17 of 30 passing for 137 yards; 2 carries for 7 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 14.6 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Start/Sit: Davis Mills →

Troy Franklin Unlucky

DEN · WR · 8.3 pts on 18.3 expected

10 targets (29% of the team's), 4 catches for 27 yards; 2 carries (9% of the team's) for -4 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 18.3 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Start/Sit: Troy Franklin →

J.K. Dobbins Volume, no payoff

DEN · RB · 6.9 pts on 11.4 expected

1 target (3% of the team's), 1 catch for -2 yards; 15 carries (65% of the team's) for 61 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 11.4 expected.

Start/Sit: J.K. Dobbins →

Nico Collins

HOU · WR · 14.5 pts on 18.8 expected

11 targets (28% of the team's), 7 catches for 75 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 18.8 expected.

Start/Sit: Nico Collins →

Christian Kirk Unlucky

HOU · WR · 6.6 pts on 13.6 expected

8 targets (21% of the team's), 4 catches for 26 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 13.6 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Woody Marks Unlucky

HOU · RB · 2.7 pts on 11.6 expected

3 targets (8% of the team's), 0 catches for 0 yards; 10 carries (36% of the team's) for 27 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 11.6 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Start/Sit: Woody Marks →

RJ Harvey Ran hot

DEN · RB · 16.6 pts on 9.8 expected

5 targets (15% of the team's), 5 catches for 51 yards and 1 touchdown; 2 carries (9% of the team's) for 5 yards.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 9.8 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: RJ Harvey →

Stock Up, Stock Down

Denver Broncos

  • Stock up: Pat Bryant played 57% of the snaps, up from a 38% season average.
  • Stock up: Adam Trautman played 73% of the snaps, up from a 48% season average.

Houston Texans

  • Stock up: Woody Marks led the backfield with 48% of the snaps after trailing Nick Chubb before this game.
  • Stock down: Nick Chubb lost the backfield lead: 36% of the snaps to Woody Marks's 48%.

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2025 through Week 18.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Broncos defense and Texans defense
Points allowed toBroncos DTexans D
QBs14.813.5
RBs17.019.3
WRs26.325.1
TEs13.712.3

Regular season, summed from each game's box score and scored with this page's rules.

How the Game Swung

Houston opened at 50% win probability, climbed as high as 90%, then lost.

Texans win probability

Texans win probability by game minuteTexans started at 50%, stood at 70% at halftime and finished at 0%, across 8 scoring plays.Q1Q2Q3Q4100%50%0%

Key Swings

  1. −26Nix → Sutton, 30-yd TD72% → 46%Q2 4:52
  2. +12Fairbairn 38-yd FG46% → 58%Q2 1:52
  3. +12Fairbairn 40-yd FG58% → 70%Q2 0:00
  4. −40Nix → Harvey, 27-yd TD90% → 50%Q4 12:28
  5. −50Lutz 34-yd FG50% → <1%Q4 0:00

Swing in Texans win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Broncos vs Texans
Denver BroncosMeasureHouston Texans
61Plays72
62%Pass rate61%
4.5Yds / dropback4.3
4.3Yds / carry2.8
6/15Third downs3/17

Efficiency edge Denver ran 11 fewer plays but gained 1.5 more yards per carry.

  • Top targets
  • DEN Franklin 29% · Sutton 18% · Harvey 15%
  • HOU Collins 28% · Kirk 21% · Schultz 21%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Broncos vs Texans
ResultDENHOU
Touchdowns20
Field goals15
Punts88
Turnovers10
Missed field goals11

HOU turnover edge: +1

  • The Texans opened the scoring on their second possession, a 8-play, 54-yard drive that ended in a field goal.
All 27 possessions, drive by drive
Drive chart
TeamStartPlaysYardsTimeResult
HOUQ1 15:0014327:36Missed FG
DENQ1 7:248262:57Missed FG
HOUQ1 4:278544:23Field goal
DENQ1 0:04300:21Punt
HOUQ2 14:43381:13Punt
DENQ2 13:30230:54Interception
HOUQ2 12:3610285:25Field goal
DENQ2 7:117702:19Touchdown
HOUQ2 4:529533:00Field goal
DENQ2 1:52460:50Punt
HOUQ2 1:023-10:23Punt
HOUQ2 0:39490:39Field goal
DENQ3 15:005132:51Punt
HOUQ3 12:096242:51Field goal
DENQ3 9:183-12:25Punt
HOUQ3 6:53381:25Punt
DENQ3 5:28392:35Punt
HOUQ3 2:53371:34Punt
DENQ3 1:198613:51Touchdown
HOUQ4 12:285141:45Punt
DENQ4 10:43320:57Punt
HOUQ4 9:46482:34Punt
DENQ4 7:12341:08Punt
HOUQ4 6:04371:24Punt
DENQ4 4:408303:26Punt
HOUQ4 1:14340:24Punt
DENQ4 0:506480:50Field goal
About these numbers

Possessions that ended with the clock running out at the half or the end of the game aren't counted.

Personnel groupings, average depth of target and pass rate over expected appear when the tracking feed is connected.

Broncos vs Texans Head-to-Head

The Broncos and Texans first met in 2004 and have played 11 times since.

All-time series
7–4Broncos lead, 11 meetings since 2004
Postseason
0No playoff meetings
Largest Broncos win
37–132013
Largest Texans win
31–132007

Since 2021

2–1 Broncos lead

3 meetings since the 2021 season, regular season and playoffs.

Oldest to newest. B = Broncos win, T = Texans win, outlined = this game.

Recent Meetings

Season to Date (Through Week 18)

The 2025 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Broncos vs Texans
BroncosStatTexans
14-3Record12-5
23.6Points per game23.8
342.6Yards per game327.0
5.3Yards per play5.1
18.3Points allowed per game17.4
278.2Yards allowed per game277.2

Broncos and Texans in Fantasy

The two teams don't meet again this season. If you roster a Bronco or a Texan, these answer the week-to-week question.

Keep Exploring

2025 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Broncos vs Texans Game FAQ

Who won the 2025 Broncos vs Texans Week 9 game?

The Denver Broncos beat the Houston Texans 18–15 in Week 9 of the 2025 season. The game was played at Reliant Stadium in Houston, TX, on November 2, 2025. See the Broncos' 2025 schedule.

What was the final score of Broncos vs Texans?

The final score was Broncos 18, Texans 15. The Texans led 12–7 at halftime, and the second half went Broncos 11, Texans 3.

What happened in the Broncos vs Texans game?

Denver erased a 12–7 halftime deficit, outscoring Houston 11–3 after the break to win 18–15. The Broncos finished with a narrow 271–268 edge in total offense and averaged 4.4 yards per play. Bo Nix led all players with 18 of 37 passing for 173 yards and 2 touchdowns, plus 3 carries for 36 rushing yards. The Broncos committed 2 turnovers, the Texans none.

What was the game-winning score in Broncos vs Texans?

Wil Lutz's 34-yard field goal with 0:00 left in the fourth quarter gave the Broncos a 18–15 lead they never gave up. It was the final score of the game.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Broncos vs Texans?

Bo Nix led the game with 19.5 PPR fantasy points, the QB14 of Week 9, on 18 of 37 passing for 173 yards and 2 touchdowns, plus 3 carries for 36 rushing yards. RJ Harvey was next with 16.6 (RB11). See Bo Nix's 2025 game log.

Who led Broncos vs Texans in passing, rushing and receiving?

Bo Nix (DEN) led all passers with 18 of 37 for 173 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception. J.K. Dobbins (DEN) led in rushing with 15 carries for 61 yards. Dalton Schultz (HOU) led in receiving with 6 catches for 77 yards.

Who outperformed and underperformed expected fantasy points in Broncos vs Texans?

RJ Harvey outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 16.6 PPR points on 9.8 xFP (+6.8). Troy Franklin fell furthest short, with 8.3 points on 18.3 xFP (−10.0). A gap either way reflects efficiency and touchdowns in one game; it is not a forecast. For matchups ahead, see fantasy points allowed by position.

Who had the highest expected fantasy points in Broncos vs Texans?

Nico Collins had the most fantasy opportunity in the game, worth 18.8 expected PPR points (xFP) at league-average rates, and scored 14.5. Expected points measure the volume of a player's pass attempts, carries and targets, not how well he used them.

How did the Broncos come back to beat the Texans?

The Broncos' chances of winning fell as low as 10% in the fourth quarter. Wil Lutz's 34-yard field goal in the fourth quarter was the biggest swing of the game. Wil Lutz's 34-yard field goal then put them ahead for good.

Which team won the turnover battle in Broncos vs Texans?

The Texans won the turnover battle 2–0: the Broncos gave the ball away 2 times and the Texans not at all. The Broncos won the game anyway.

What was the turning point of Broncos vs Texans?

Wil Lutz's 34-yard field goal with 0:00 left in the fourth quarter was the biggest swing of the game, moving the Texans' win probability from 50% to <1%.

What is the all-time Broncos vs Texans record?

The Broncos lead the all-time series 7–4 across 11 meetings since 2004.

When did the Broncos and Texans last play before this game?

Before Week 9 of 2025, they last met in the 2023 season on December 3, 2023, when the Texans beat the Broncos 22–17.

What is the Broncos vs Texans record since 2021?

The Broncos lead 2–1 across 3 meetings since the 2021 season, including this game.