2019 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 14

Denver Broncos (4-8) at Houston Texans (8-4)

Sunday, December 8, 1PM ET

The Denver Broncos are coming off a promising win in rookie Drew Lock‘s first start. The club’s confidence is high, despite getting plenty of help along the way to victory from a Chargers team that loves to shoot itself in the foot. Does that mean they can topple the Houston Texans?

Probably not. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if this one got out of hand by the end of the half. As it stands, the Texans are one of the most explosive teams in the NFL right now. Apart from a disastrous showing against the Ravens a few weeks ago, they’ve been unstoppable for much of 2019, as evidenced by their impressive Sunday night defeat of the Patriots.

While the Broncos may be riding the high of only their fourth win this season, Lock is facing a tall task in taking down the Texans. Their defense has been solid this season, with a disruptive pass rush and plenty of talent on the back end. It’s going to be near impossible for the young gunslinger to keep up with Deshaun Watson and DeAndre Hopkins on the scoreboard.

Denver will keep things interesting for much of the game, due in large part to their own outstanding defense. But when it comes time for Lock to put up the pace in the scoring department, he’s not going to get the job done.

Prediction: Texans win 26-17