Fresh off a rout of the Dallas Cowboys and sitting atop the AFC West, the Denver Broncos (6-2) travel to Houston to take on a Texans team (3-4) that is starting to feel a little bit better about themselves and their postseason hopes following a convincing win over San Francisco.

For the season, Stroud has a 63.1 " Total QBR " rating from ESPN, which ranks 13th out of 32 starting QBs entering Week 9. His passer rating of 91.1 ranks 15th, which is higher than that of notable players like Broncos' Bo Nix, Mahomes, the Philadelphia Eagles ' Jalen Hurts, and the Chicago Bears ' Caleb Williams.

Texans QB C.J. Stroud discusses a tough upcoming matchup against Denver, how the team can build off a win over the 49ers, his willingness to run the football and more in the latest episode of “On Football with the AP’s Rob Maaddi” that also features a four-pack of Pro Picks and commentary on the NFL trade deadline.

Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans is a former 49ers defensive coordinator under Kyle Shanahan, so San Francisco knows how difficult of a challenge it will be against Houston. Jones went into further detail about the Texans, highlighting their linebackers in particular.

The Houston Texans currently sit at 3-4 and are in third place in the AFC South. While that doesn’t exactly scream juggernaut, there are signs that this team could be a sleeping giant.

C.J. Stroud delivered in a big way for the Houston Texans against the San Francisco 49ers and spoke candidly afterward.

Fields’ words filled C.J. Stroud with pride. The Houston Texans quarterback said he heard what his college teammate had to say and couldn’t have been more pleased with his message. “I’m just so proud of my brother, his growth with that and just his vulnerability,” Stroud said. “It’s hard.”

Down in Dove Valley, newly minted Broncos left guard Alex Palczewski’s locker sits directly across from Garett Bolles. And for a 26-year-old who profiles as a tackle and says his last time playing on the left side of the O-line was the “Obama administration,” there may not be a better mentor in the NFL than the 33-year-old Bolles.

Deshaun Watson's career after leaving the Houston Texans has taken another dour but noteworthy turn as he recovers from his latest injury.

Quarterback Bo Nix meets the media ahead of Week 9 to discuss facing the Texans' defense, the addition of tight end Marcedes Lewis and more.

It's also worth noting that the Broncos’ All-Pro linebacker Dre Greenlaw will return to the fold after missing one game through suspension, so it will be no mean feat for Stroud and Co. to gain positive traction irrespective of Surtain being sidelined.