Broncos vs. Texans 2013, Week 16: Peyton Manning sets new TD record in win over Houston

Now, the only question left is whether the Broncos should play Manning in Week 17 to clinch the AFC’s top seed. Kyle Montgomery of Mile High Report tackles the question:

Over at Battle Red Blog, the discussion is all about the No. 1 pick:

Miller told doctors that he had been dealing with looseness in the knee.

Miller missed the first six games of 2013 while serving a suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. He has 34 tackles, five sacks and three forced fumbles in nine games this season.

Here are the highlights from the Year in Peyton:

Wander into a bar and mutter something about the NFL being a “passer’s league” these days and you’ll be met with rumbles of agreement. Then everybody will turn back to their drinks because you just said an obvious thing.

The Broncos were 9.5-point favorites, according to OddsShark.com, so they covered easily.

• NFL Week 16: Updates, GIFs and playoff pictures | Clinching scenarios

Like Brady in 2007, Manning’s record-breaking season could result in NFL MVP honors. Manning has already been named MVP four times during his career, and is arguably the favorite to win a fifth time. He now has 5,211 yards passing on the season, and has thrown just 10 interceptions to go with his stratospheric touchdown total.

• NFL Week 16: Updates, GIFs and playoff pictures | Clinching scenarios

Here’s the touchdown that put his name in the record book ... again.

Through 15 games and 16 weeks of the season, Manning has 5,186 yards, 50 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

Update: Miller is undergoing tests on the knee and the team fears it is a “significant” injury.

Miller is one of the most talented defenders in the league, but his 2013 season didn’t have a great start. He missed the first eight games with a suspension. Since returning in Week 9, he recorded five sacks, three forced fumbles and 33 tackles in just eight games. The injury is poor timing for the Broncos, who are trying to lock up homefield advantage for the playoffs.

• NFL Week 16: Updates, GIFs and playoff pictures | Clinching scenarios

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Houston will be starting all over again in the offseason. Gary Kubiak is gone, and Wade Phillips is just keeping the seat warm for the next head coach. The Texans’ coaching search will ramp up in a couple weeks, but they still have some games to play.

Brett Kollmann from Battle Red Blog is looking ahead to the draft already. He makes the case for picking Jadeveon Clowney.

Game Date/Time and Location: Sunday, Dec. 22, 1 p.m. ET at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas

TV schedule and distribution map: CBS; The506.com

The Broncos are playoff bound at 11-3 overall. They are currently fighting to maintain their hold on the No. 1 seed in the AFC and homefield advantage. Just behind them are the 10-4 New England Patriots. The Chiefs are also 11-3, and would take a strong hold on the AFC West and jump into the 1-seed with a win and a Broncos loss this week.

Should Welker be held out until the postseason, he will finish the regular season with fewer than 100 receptions for the first time since 2010. He has 73 receptions for 778 yards and 10 touchdowns through 13 game appearances.

Bailey has missed all but three games for the Broncos this season. Though the time off has been frustrating for the veteran, Bailey also said he feels fresh heading into the final stretch of the regular season.

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The eight NFL experts at CBS Sports also picked Denver in unanimous fashion. None expect it to be a close game, either. Even when factoring in the 10.5 point spread, all eight picked Denver to win and cover. John Breech predicted a 17-point Denver win with a final score of 34-17. The loss would keep Houston in position for the No. 1 pick in the draft heading into the final week of the season.

• Ref Jam: How to fix pass interference penalties

The Broncos are averaging 38.21 points per game, while only allowing opponents to score 26.57 points per contest. Denver is 8-6 against the spread this season and are 3-3 with the line on the road. A high-scoring team, the Broncos are 11-3 on the season with the over/under and 5-1 on the road.

The Texans are averaging 18.07 points per game while allowing 26.79 per contest. Houston is 3-11 against the spread this season, with a 1-6 record on the road with the line. The Texans are 9-5 with the over/under this season, while doing well with total points at home with a 6-1 record.

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