The Denver Broncos (7-2) went on the road and defeated the Houston Texans (3-5) in Week 9 of the 2025 NFL season at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, on Sunday afternoon. Trailing 15-7 going into the fourth quarter,

Nov 2, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Denver Broncos safety Talanoa Hufanga (9) and Denver Broncos linebacker Dre Greenlaw (57) celebrate after a play during the first half against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. / Sean Thomas-Imagn Images

The Denver Broncos might’ve walked out of NRG Stadium with a 7–2 record and sole possession of first place in the AFC West, but don’t mistake this one for a victory lap. Their 18–15 win over the Houston Texans was more of an escape act.

The Broncos appeared to look at overtime late against the Texans. But wins in walk off fashion once again in their latest miracle.

When Payton first got the job in Denver, he hired Ben Kotwica as special teams coordinator and Mike Westhoff as assistant head coach and third-phase czar. Last season, the Broncos had a would-be game-winning chip-shot field goal blocked by the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium, and Westhoff retired two days later.

After a concussion knocked Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud out of the game, the Denver Broncos mounted another fourth-quarter comeback in an 18-15 win at NRG Stadium. Kicker Will Lutz buried the 34-yard game-winner as time expired to move Denver to 7-2.

Instead, the rookie gave the linebacker a quick head-fake and turned on the jets, leaving To’oTo’o in the dust as quarterback Bo Nix found Harvey for a pivotal 27-yard score. It marked another banner day for Harvey as a pass-catching threat: Five catches for a team-leading 51 yards and a TD in an otherwise-ugly 18-15 win over Houston.

The Denver Broncos (6-2) visit the Houston Texans (3-4) at NRG Stadium in Houston for a Week 9 showdown, and USA TODAY's panel of NFL experts have locked in their picks and predictions for the action. Here's everything you need to know before kickoff on ...

The Texans have won three of their last four games heading into Week 9. How does the season align with the expectations at this point?

Learn which TV channel or how to live stream the NFL Week 9 Houston Texans and Denver Broncos game, Sunday, Nov. 2.