Houston @ Denver preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 24, 2016 ) Houston 9, Denver 27

The Houston Texans knew they were a better team than they showed in the early part of the season and have proven themselves right, turning things around and soared to the top of the AFC South. Houston will have a new weapon in its arsenal on Sunday as it seeks a sixth consecutive victory when it visits the Denver Broncos.

The Texans began the campaign with three tough losses - all by seven points or fewer - but have reeled off five straight wins, including a 42-23 rout of Miami on Oct. 25. Houston has had more than a week to prepare for Denver and will have someone very familiar with its opponent at its disposal in wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, who was acquired from the Broncos on Tuesday. Denver's season has been almost completely opposite of Houston's, as the club won its first two games before losing four in a row and five of six after falling 30-23 at Kansas City in Week 8. Rookie Phillip Lindsay was a bright spot in the setback as he recorded a career-high 112 yards from scrimmage (95 rushing) while running for a touchdown for a second straight week.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Broncos -1. O/U: 46

ABOUT THE TEXANS (5-3): Deshaun Watson had a field day against the Dolphins last week, completing 16-of-20 attempts for 239 yards and five touchdowns without an interception. The 23-year-old has thrown 34 scoring passes in 15 career games and needs one to join Kurt Warner (39) and Dan Marino (35) as the only quarterbacks in NFL history with at least 35 in their first 16 contests. Thomas, a five-time Pro-Bowler, is Denver's all-time leader in 100-yard receiving games (33) and ranks second in both receiving yards (9,055) and TDs (60), and made 36 catches for 402 yards and three scores this season.

ABOUT THE BRONCOS (3-5): Denver has another impressive rookie on the other side of the ball in linebacker Bradley Chubb, who was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month for October after recording 5.5 sacks, 14 tackles and five tackles for loss. The 22-year-old is the first Broncos rookie to register multiple sacks in consecutive games since Elvis Dumervil in 2009 and first NFL rookie since Aldon Smith of San Francisco in 2011 to collect at least 5.5 sacks in a three-game span. Case Keenum, who appeared in 10 games for Houston from 2012-14, has thrown for 1,118 yards and five touchdowns in four starts at home this year.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Thomas was acquired by the Texans to replace WR Will Fuller V, who was placed on injured reserve and will undergo knee surgery that will sideline him for 6-9 months.

2. Denver LB Von Miller is tied for second in the league with eight sacks while Chubb has registered a rookie-high seven.

3. With a victory on Sunday, Houston will join the 1970 New York Giants as the only teams since that year to win six straight contests after losing their first three.

PREDICTION: Texans 31, Broncos 27