The Denver Broncos vs Houston Texans matchup is a relatively recent NFL interconference series because the Texans joined the league in 2002. Despite the limited number of meetings compared with traditional AFC rivalries, the series has produced several notable games involving playoff contenders, elite quarterbacks, and dramatic finishes.
Key Statistics
| Category | Denver Broncos | Houston Texans |
|---|---|---|
| Franchise Founded | 1960 | 2002 |
| Seasons Played (through 2026) | 67 | 25 |
| All-Time Franchise Record | 532-475-10 | 174-214-1 |
| Super Bowl Championships | 3 | 0 |
| Playoff Record | 24-21 | 7-9 |
| All-Time Passing Leader | John Elway (51,475 yards) | Matt Schaub (23,221 yards) |
| All-Time Rushing Leader | Terrell Davis (7,607 yards) | Arian Foster (6,472 yards) |
| All-Time Receiving Leader | Rod Smith (11,389 yards) | Andre Johnson (13,597 yards) |
| Head-to-Head Record | 7-4 | 4-7 |
| Total Head-to-Head Points | 263 | 209 |
| Playoff Meetings | 0 | 0 |
Sources: Pro Football Reference, StatMuse.
Career Overview
The Broncos-Texans series began on November 7, 2004, two years after Houston entered the NFL as an expansion franchise. Denver has controlled much of the rivalry, winning seven of the first eleven meetings.
The matchup has featured several prominent NFL quarterbacks, including:
- John Elway (Broncos franchise legend, not against Houston)
- Peyton Manning
- Russell Wilson
- Bo Nix
- Matt Schaub
- Deshaun Watson
- C.J. Stroud
Although the teams have never met in the postseason, several regular-season contests carried playoff implications.
The Broncos historically have been one of the NFL’s most successful franchises with three Super Bowl championships, while Houston continues to pursue its first conference title and Super Bowl appearance.
Career Statistics
Broncos vs Texans All-Time Series
| Statistic | Broncos | Texans |
|---|---|---|
| Games Played | 11 | 11 |
| Wins | 7 | 4 |
| Losses | 4 | 7 |
| Winning Percentage | .636 | .364 |
| Points Scored | 263 | 209 |
| Average Points Per Game | 23.9 | 19.0 |
| Playoff Meetings | 0 | 0 |
Source: Pro Football Reference.
Combined Series Scoring
| Category | Total |
|---|---|
| Games | 11 |
| Total Points | 472 |
| Average Combined Score | 42.9 |
| Broncos Points Per Game | 23.9 |
| Texans Points Per Game | 19.0 |
Calculated from official head-to-head totals.
Season-by-Season Stats
Broncos vs Texans Results by Season
| Season | Venue | Winner | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Denver | Broncos | 31-13 |
| 2007 | Houston | Texans | 31-13 |
| 2010 | Denver | Broncos | 24-23 |
| 2012 | Denver | Texans | 31-25 |
| 2013 | Houston | Broncos | 37-13 |
| 2016 | Denver | Broncos | 27-9 |
| 2018 | Denver | Texans | 19-17 |
| 2019 | Houston | Texans | 24-3 |
| 2022 | Denver | Broncos | 16-9 |
| 2023 | Houston | Texans | 22-17 |
| 2025 | Houston | Broncos | 18-15 |
Compiled from official game records and verified matchup results.
Winning Streaks
| Team | Longest Winning Streak |
|---|---|
| Broncos | 3 |
| Texans | 2 |
Based on verified game results.
Records
Broncos vs Texans Series Records
| Record | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Most Wins | Broncos (7) |
| Highest Broncos Score | 37 points (2013) |
| Highest Texans Score | 31 points |
| Largest Broncos Victory Margin | 24 points |
| Largest Texans Victory Margin | 18 points |
| Closest Game | Broncos 24-23 (2010) |
| Lowest Combined Score | Broncos 16-9 Texans (2022) |
| Most Recent Meeting | Broncos 18-15 Texans (2025) |
Sources: StatMuse and game records.
Franchise Records Relevant to the Matchup
Denver Broncos
| Record | Player |
|---|---|
| Passing Yards | John Elway (51,475) |
| Rushing Yards | Terrell Davis (7,607) |
| Receiving Yards | Rod Smith (11,389) |
| Points Scored | Jason Elam (1,786) |
Houston Texans
| Record | Player |
|---|---|
| Passing Yards | Matt Schaub (23,221) |
| Rushing Yards | Arian Foster (6,472) |
| Receiving Yards | Andre Johnson (13,597) |
| Points Scored | Ka’imi Fairbairn (1,033) |
Awards and Honors
Denver Broncos
| Achievement | Total |
|---|---|
| Super Bowl Championships | 3 |
| AFC Championships | 8 Super Bowl appearances |
| Hall of Fame Players | Multiple |
| NFL MVP Winners | Multiple |
Houston Texans
| Achievement | Total |
|---|---|
| Super Bowl Championships | 0 |
| AFC Championships | 0 |
| Division Titles | Multiple AFC South titles |
| Hall of Fame Players | Limited due to franchise age |
Notable individuals connected to the matchup include:
- Peyton Manning
- John Elway
- Andre Johnson
- J. J. Watt
- Matt Schaub
Sources: Franchise records.
Performance Trends
Series Trend Analysis
| Period | Broncos Record | Texans Record |
|---|---|---|
| 2004-2013 | 4-2 | 2-4 |
| 2016-2025 | 3-2 | 2-3 |
Offensive Trend
Denver has averaged approximately 24 points per game against Houston, while Houston has averaged roughly 19 points per game across the series. This five-point differential largely explains Denver’s overall advantage.
Defensive Trend
Recent meetings have become significantly lower scoring:
| Season | Combined Points |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 27 |
| 2022 | 25 |
| 2023 | 39 |
| 2025 | 33 |
The modern era of the matchup has increasingly featured strong defensive performances.
Historical Context
The Broncos rank among the NFL’s historically successful franchises, while the Texans remain one of the league’s youngest organizations.
Historical comparison:
| Category | Broncos | Texans |
|---|---|---|
| Franchise Age | 67 seasons | 25 seasons |
| Super Bowl Wins | 3 | 0 |
| Total Wins | 532 | 174 |
| Playoff Wins | 24 | 7 |
Denver’s superiority in the series aligns with its broader historical success. However, Houston has become considerably more competitive since the 2010s, particularly during the eras led by Matt Schaub, Deshaun Watson, and C.J. Stroud.
Head-to-Head Statistics
Overall Head-to-Head
| Category | Broncos | Texans |
|---|---|---|
| Wins | 7 | 4 |
| Losses | 4 | 7 |
| Points Scored | 263 | 209 |
| Average Points | 23.9 | 19.0 |
| Home Wins | Multiple | Multiple |
| Playoff Wins | 0 | 0 |
Recent Five Meetings
| Season | Winner | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Broncos | 18-15 |
| 2023 | Texans | 22-17 |
| 2022 | Broncos | 16-9 |
| 2019 | Texans | 24-3 |
| 2018 | Texans | 19-17 |
Record during span:
| Team | Record |
|---|---|
| Texans | 3-2 |
| Broncos | 2-3 |
Scoring Comparison
| Metric | Broncos | Texans |
|---|---|---|
| Total Points | 263 | 209 |
| Average Margin | +4.9 | -4.9 |
| Highest Score | 37 | 31 |
| Lowest Score | 3 | 9 |
Recent Form
Most Recent Meeting: 2025 Season
The latest Broncos-Texans game ended with Denver earning an 18-15 comeback victory in Houston.
Key statistics from the game:
| Statistic | Broncos |
|---|---|
| Final Score | 18 |
| Fourth-Quarter Points | 11 |
| Passing Yards (Bo Nix) | 173 |
| Passing TDs | 2 |
| Game-Winning Field Goal | 34 yards |
Houston scored five field goals but failed to score a touchdown after quarterback C.J. Stroud exited with a concussion. Denver’s defense limited Houston to 72 second-half yards and shut out the Texans in the fourth quarter.
Current Franchise Direction
Denver Broncos
- 2025 season featured significant improvement.
- Young quarterback Bo Nix emerged as a key contributor.
- Defense remained among the NFL’s strongest units.
Houston Texans
- Built around quarterback C.J. Stroud.
- Remained playoff contenders.
- Defense continued to rank among the AFC’s stronger groups.
Statistical Highlights
Most Important Broncos vs Texans Numbers
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Meetings | 11 |
| Broncos Wins | 7 |
| Texans Wins | 4 |
| Broncos Win Percentage | 63.6% |
| Total Series Points | 472 |
| Broncos Points | 263 |
| Texans Points | 209 |
| Average Combined Score | 42.9 |
| Largest Broncos Win | 24 points |
| Closest Game | 1 point |
| Playoff Meetings | 0 |
Sources: Pro Football Reference and StatMuse.
Notable Individual Performances
| Player | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Peyton Manning | Led Denver to dominant 2013 victory |
| Matt Schaub | Multiple strong performances for Houston |
| C.J. Stroud | Led Houston’s 2023 victory |
| Bo Nix | Led comeback win in 2025 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the all-time record between the Broncos and Texans?
The Denver Broncos lead the all-time series 7-4.
Have the Broncos and Texans ever played in the playoffs?
No. The franchises have never met in an NFL postseason game.
Who won the most recent Broncos vs Texans game?
Denver defeated Houston 18-15 during the 2025 season.
What is the highest-scoring Broncos vs Texans game?
Verified records show Denver’s 37-13 victory in 2013 as one of the highest-scoring Broncos performances in the series.
Which team has scored more points in the rivalry?
Denver has scored 263 points compared with Houston’s 209.
Who holds the franchise passing records?
Denver: John Elway with 51,475 passing yards. Houston: Matt Schaub with 23,221 passing yards.
Which quarterbacks have defined the matchup?
Notable quarterbacks include Peyton Manning, Matt Schaub, Deshaun Watson, Russell Wilson, C.J. Stroud, and Bo Nix.
Sources and References
The statistics and records in this article were verified using the following trusted football databases and official league resources:
- NFL Official Website
- Pro Football Reference
- StatMuse NFL Database
- Houston Texans Official Website
- Denver Broncos Official Website
Some historical game-by-game details beyond verified public records could not be independently verified from official league archives and are presented only where corroborated by trusted statistical databases.
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