2012 Game-By-Game: Week 3

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Over the next few weeks, DenverBroncos.com will take a look at the team's 2012 schedule week-by-week, including a look at the last time the teams faced off, what to watch for this season and more. Up next: the Broncos host last year's AFC South champions, the Houston Texans.

Week 3: vs. Houston Texans
	o DATE: Sunday, September 23 o TIME: 2:15 p.m. MDT o LOCATION: Sports Authority Field at Mile High o TELEVISION: CBS o OPP. 2011 RECORD: 10-6 o ALL-TIME VS. OPP.: 2-1

THE LAST TIME: On December 26^th, 2010, rookie quarterback Tim Tebow helped the Broncos storm back from a 17-0 halftime deficit to beat the Houston Texans 24-23 at INVESCO Field at Mile High.

Denver’s second-half rally featured two completions of over 40 yards, and rookie cornerback Syd’Quan Thompson eventually sealed the victory by picking off Texans quarterback Matt Schaub on the final drive of the game.

The Broncos defense held the Texans to just two field goals in the second half and limited the NFL’s leading rusher, Arian Foster, to just 25 second-half yards.

'A Winner' | Second-Half Surge Topples Texans | Texans Postgame: BTV Report

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The Denver Broncos might not have a lot of experience against the Texans, but Peyton Manning sure does. Manning boasts a 110.6 passer rating against Houston in 18 games. With a 70.4 completion percentage, Manning has thrown 42 touchdowns and just eight interceptions with more than 5,100 passing yards.

KEY MATCHUP: All-Pros Face Off
The Texans’ No. 1 wide receiver, 10-year veteran and five-time Pro Bowler Andre Johnson, will probably see plenty of the Broncos’ 14-year veteran and 11-time Pro Bowler Champ Bailey. When the two teams played in 2010, Johnson was out with an injury. In Week 15 of the 2007 season, however, Bailey did get a crack at the receiver, who was able to break free for eight receptions, 86 yards and a touchdown. This time around, Bailey will hope to keep Johnson a bit quieter so that first-year Defensive Coordinator Jack Del Rio and the Broncos defense can focus on bottling up last year’s fifth-leading rusher Arian Foster.

NOTES: The Broncos are 2-0 against the Texans at home...Peyton Manning is 16-2 in his career against the Texans...Manning's 42 passing touchdowns against the Texans represent the most he has thrown against any team in his career... Houston Head Coach Gary Kubiak played his entire nine-year career with the Broncos from 1983-91, during which he threw 173 passes and 14 touchdowns.