HOU
Houston Texans
79.8PFM Team Score#15 NFL
Houston Texans vs. Denver Broncos: PFM Team Comparison
The Denver Broncos hold a clear overall advantage over the Houston Texans in the current PFM ratings. Denver separates itself through the stronger coaching operation and the steadier quarterback room.
Current PFM Team Scores
Clear edgeDEN
Denver Broncos
83.3PFM Team Score#9 NFL
PFM JUDGMENT
Why PFM Rates the Denver Broncos Higher
The staff edge favors the Denver Broncos. Sean Payton gives the team steadier direction than Houston has on the sideline. Houston's strongest counterargument is Franchise Direction. The Houston Texans have the clearer long-term football direction. The quarterback room, roster strength and coaching direction fit together more cleanly than they do for the Denver Broncos.
Denver also brings the steadier quarterback room. The Denver Broncos still deserves the higher PFM rating.
TEAM DNA COMPARISON
Houston vs. Denver 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.
HOUHouston Texans
DENDenver Broncos
THE COUNTERARGUMENT
Houston Texans’ Best Argument
The Houston Texans have the stronger long-term direction. The quarterback room, roster strength and coaching direction support the same competitive window. The franchise direction advantage is a real point in Houston's favor, but it does not outweigh the rest of the higher-rated team’s advantages. The problem for Houston is that Denver counters with the stronger coaching operation and the steadier quarterback room.
COMPLETE COMPARISON
Where Each Team Has the Edge
PFM Team Score
HOU79.8
Houston Texans 79.8DEN83.3
Denver Broncos 83.3Overall NFL Rank
HOU#15
Houston Texans #15DEN#9
Denver Broncos #9QB Stability
HOU81.3
Houston Texans 81.3DEN82.4
Denver Broncos 82.4Roster Strength
HOU78.7
Houston Texans 78.7DEN80.5
Denver Broncos 80.5Coaching Direction
HOU80.7
Houston Texans 80.7DEN85.0
Denver Broncos 85.0Recent Performance
HOU76.2
Houston Texans 76.2DEN82.6
Denver Broncos 82.6Offense
HOU79.0
Houston Texans 79.0DEN80.0
Denver Broncos 80.0Defense
HOU82.5
Houston Texans 82.5DEN82.6
Denver Broncos 82.6Franchise Direction
HOU80.2
Houston Texans 80.2DEN78.2
Denver Broncos 78.2Explosiveness
HOU75.7
Houston Texans 75.7DEN74.3
Denver Broncos 74.3Conference Rank
HOU#9
Houston Texans #9DEN#4
Denver Broncos #4Division Rank
HOU#2
Houston Texans #2DEN#2
Denver Broncos #2Outlook
HOUIn the Playoff MixDENPlayoff Contender
Stronger outlook: Denver BroncosSCHEDULE CONTEXT
Which Team Has the Tougher Road?
Houston Texans
Remaining schedule rank: #26
Toughest stretch: Jacksonville Jaguars, Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers
Strongest opponents: Philadelphia Eagles, Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens
Next five difficulty: 76.9
View Houston Texans Road AheadDenver Broncos
Remaining schedule rank: #15
Toughest stretch: San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Chargers, Seattle Seahawks
Strongest opponents: Kansas City Chiefs, Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers
Next five difficulty: 84.6
View Denver Broncos Road AheadDenver has the tougher Road Ahead at No. 15. The strongest opponents include Kansas City Chiefs, Seattle Seahawks, and San Francisco 49ers. 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 September 29, 2026. Schedule data updated September 28, 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.
PFM ratings updated
How PFM grades NFL teams