HOUSTON (AP) — The Knicks know Sunday’s win over the Houston Texans wasn’t pretty.
This seems to be the theme of many of Denver’s wins recently and their quarterback is completely fine with that.
“It proves that we can win tough games and proves that our mentality can adapt to where we expect to find ways to win,” Nicks said. “It’s a really good problem to have when you find these ugly wins.”
The Knicks threw two touchdown passes and Will Lutz kicked a 34-yard field goal as time expired and the Broncos rallied for an 18-15 win on Sunday to extend their winning streak to six games.
“We did enough to get out of here with a win,” coach Sean Payton said.
That’s been the case with many of Denver’s games on this streak, four of which came by four points or fewer. They improved to 4-0 this season in games in which they trailed entering the fourth quarter.
The Broncos (7-2) had punted three straight before the Knicks’ 25-yard drive got them to their 39 with less than a minute left.
“We wanted to move the pocket and get a new starting spot and get a change of pace for these quality players,” Nicks said. “And we came out at the end and it felt like everyone was running out there to get the pass and it ended up being a good pass. I finally got to use my legs there at the end.”
JK Dobbins followed with a 9-yard run and a 9-yard run by Nix twice later set up the game-winning field goal.
The Knicks couldn’t do much in the first three quarters against Houston’s top-ranked defense, but RJ Harvey’s 27-yard TD reception and Troy Franklin’s two-point conversion grab tied it at 15 — all early in the fourth quarter.
C.J. Stroud suffered a concussion when he was hit on the end of a slide early in the first quarter. Kaimi Fairbairn made a career-high five field goals, but the Texans struggled to move the ball with Davis Mills at quarterback after Stroud’s injury.
They kicked six straight after a field goal made it 15-7 on their first possession of the second half.
“I’m disappointed as a team that we didn’t finish the game,” coach Demico Ryans said. “Defense, they did a good job of stopping the ball a few times. We got stuck there offensively, lacked just the ability to move the ball. We lacked the ability to keep shooting there in the second half. It just wasn’t good enough.”
Mills was 17 of 30 for 137 yards as the Texans fell to 3-5. Houston was 0 of 3 in the red zone and converted just 3 of 17 third downs.
18-of-37 for 173 yards with an interception.
The Broncos were down by six when Courtland Sutton’s 30-yard strike gave them a 7-6 lead about five minutes before halftime.
Houston regained the lead with a 38-yard field goal with less than two minutes left in the first half.
Michael Bandy fumbled a punt with about 40 seconds left in the second quarter and it was recovered by Jaylen Smith. Houston capitalized on the mistake with a 40-yard field goal to push the lead to 12-7 at halftime.
Harvey had five catches for 51 yards and his score made him the first rookie to have a touchdown in three straight games in franchise history.
Nico Collins had seven catches for 75 yards for Houston after sitting out last week recovering from a concussion.
The Texans got a first down on Route 1 on their second drive. But Nick Chubb was fouled on first down and Brittish Brooks was stuffed on the next two plays before a foul play penalty on fourth down forced Houston to settle for a field goal to make it 3-0.
Stroud was hurt on the next possession. He rushed for 6 yards and was hit on the shoulder near the end of a slide by Chris Abrams Drane and the back of his head bounced violently off the turf.
Kalen Bullock intercepted the Knicks on Denver’s possession to give the Texans the ball near midfield. Collins had a 26-yard reception to start this drive and a 10-yard run a few plays later gave them a first down at 2.
But the Texans couldn’t do anything after that and Mills’ sack on third down left them settling for another field goal to push the lead to 6-0.
Fairbairn fouled out from the 51 on Houston’s first drive.
Injuries
Denver: Star cornerback Pat Surtain II missed the first of what is expected to be several games with a pectoral strain. … DB JT Gray left in the third quarter with a hamstring injury. … WR Trent Sherfield injured his knee in the third.
Texans: Christian Harris missed the second half with a leg injury. … OL Tytus Howard left in the first half to be evaluated for a concussion. … DE Darrell Taylor injured his ankle in the third quarter.
Making history
Marcedes Lewis made history on Sunday, when at 41 years old he became the oldest tight end to ever play in an NFL game. When he entered the game on the fourth snap of Denver’s first drive, he also became the oldest player to appear in a game in franchise history. Lewis, who signed on Wednesday, is the second-oldest active player in the NFL behind Aaron Rodgers, who turns 42 in December.
Forbidden
Denico Autry blocked a 51-yard field goal attempt by Lutz on Denver’s first drive. It’s the 13th blocked kick of his career, tying Julius Peppers for second most in the NFL since 1991.
the next
Broncos: Denver hosts Las Vegas on Thursday night.
Texas: Houston hosts Jacksonville next Sunday.
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