Essentially evenDEN
Denver Broncos
84.7PFM Team Score#10 NFL
Denver Broncos vs. Houston Texans: PFM Team Comparison
PFM has the Denver Broncos and the Houston Texans essentially even overall. Denver has the better argument in coaching direction, while Houston answers in qb stability. Only 0.1 points separate Denver and Houston in PFM Team Score.
Current PFM Team Scores
Essentially evenHOU
Houston Texans
84.8PFM Team Score#9 NFL
PFM JUDGMENT
Why PFM Has the Denver Broncos and the Houston Texans So Close
Only 0.1 points separate the Denver Broncos and the Houston Texans in the current PFM ratings. Denver's strongest argument is Coaching Direction. Houston's strongest argument is QB Stability. PFM keeps the teams in the essentially-even range.
TEAM DNA COMPARISON
Denver vs. Houston Across the Core Pillars
The farther a team reaches, the stronger the rating. Each category also calls out which team has the edge and the exact gap. Hover on desktop or tap on mobile to isolate one team.
DENDenver Broncos
HOUHouston Texans
THE BETTER CASE
Where Each Team Has the Better Case
Only 0.1 points separate the Denver Broncos and the Houston Texans in the current PFM ratings.
Sean Payton is the coaching difference. Denver has the more dependable answers when the first answer stops working. The gap is narrow, but the Houston Texans ask fewer questions at quarterback because C.J. Stroud sets the floor of the offense. That stability matters when a game moves away from the opening script. Neither argument creates enough separation to move the overall judgment out of the essentially-even range.
COMPLETE COMPARISON
Where Each Team Has the Edge
PFM Team Score
DEN84.7
Denver Broncos 84.7HOU84.8
Houston Texans 84.8Overall NFL Rank
DEN#10
Denver Broncos #10HOU#9
Houston Texans #9QB Stability
DEN82.3
Denver Broncos 82.3HOU83.3
Houston Texans 83.3Roster Strength
DEN80.8
Denver Broncos 80.8HOU80.6
Houston Texans 80.6Coaching Direction
DEN85.0
Denver Broncos 85.0HOU81.0
Houston Texans 81.0Recent Performance
DEN85.9
Denver Broncos 85.9HOU89.1
Houston Texans 89.1Offense
DEN81.2
Denver Broncos 81.2HOU79.1
Houston Texans 79.1Defense
DEN84.6
Denver Broncos 84.6HOU85.8
Houston Texans 85.8Franchise Direction
DEN78.4
Denver Broncos 78.4HOU80.2
Houston Texans 80.2Explosiveness
DEN74.8
Denver Broncos 74.8HOU73.2
Houston Texans 73.2Conference Rank
DEN#5
Denver Broncos #5HOU#4
Houston Texans #4Division Rank
DEN#2
Denver Broncos #2HOU#1
Houston Texans #1Outlook
DENPlayoff ContenderHOUPlayoff Contender
Same outlookTEAM CONSTRUCTION
How These Teams Are Built Differently
Denver Broncos
- Strongest Rating
- Coaching Direction
- Category Edge
- Coaching Direction
- Biggest Matchup Concern
- QB Stability
Denver's clearest category edge is Coaching Direction. Sean Payton gives the Denver Broncos the stronger coaching operation against the Houston Texans. Preparation and in-game answers matter once the opening script no longer controls the game. The biggest problem in this matchup is QB Stability, where Houston owns the clearer advantage.
Houston Texans
- Strongest Rating
- Defense
- Category Edge
- QB Stability
- Biggest Matchup Concern
- Coaching Direction
Houston's clearest category edge is QB Stability. The gap is narrow, but Quarterback is where the Houston Texans have their cleanest advantage against the Denver Broncos. With C.J. Stroud, the offense has a better floor when the first answer stops working. The biggest problem in this matchup is Coaching Direction, where Denver owns the clearer advantage.
SCHEDULE CONTEXT
Which Team Has the Tougher Road?
Denver Broncos
Full schedule rank: #9
Toughest stretch: San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Chargers, Seattle Seahawks
Strongest opponents: Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, Kansas City Chiefs
View Denver Broncos Road AheadHouston Texans
Full schedule rank: #24
Toughest stretch: Jacksonville Jaguars, Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers
Strongest opponents: Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Chargers
View Houston Texans Road AheadDenver has the tougher Road Ahead at No. 9. The strongest opponents include Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, and Kansas City Chiefs. Houston gains one meaningful schedule advantage, while Denver still owns the stronger football advantages elsewhere.
Explore Both Team Dashboards
Ratings and Schedule Freshness
PFM ratings updated July 24, 2026. Schedule data updated June 29, 2026.
How to Read This Comparison
PFM Team Score determines the overall order. The Team DNA comparison puts five core pillars on the same 0–100 scale, while the full rows show every current category.
PFM compares overall team strength rather than predicting one matchup. Road Ahead adds schedule context without changing PFM Team Score.