Texans Keep Postseason Hopes Alive With Rout Of Broncos

December 14, 2007 10:24 a.m. EST

Houston, TX (AHN) - Quarterback Sage Rosenfels threw one touchdown and ran for another as the Texans remained alive for the postseason with a 31-13 pounding of the reeling Denver Broncos at home on Thursday night.

Five days after leading the resurgent Texans to a 28-14 victory against Tampa Bay, Rosenfels was at it again this time at the friendly confines of Reliant Stadium, completing 16 of 27 passes to finish with 200 yards, the second straight 200-yarder for the former fourth round draft pick.

Against the road-weary Broncos, Rosenfels rushed for a five-yard touchdown run to put the Texans on the board. He later on found Andre Johnson for a four-yard score that turned the game in Houston's favor, early in the fourth period.

The huge victory tightened the race for the AFC's wild-card berths, with the Texans improving to 7-7, half-a-game back of Buffalo and Tennessee, which are tied at 7-6. Jacksonville (9-4) and Cleveland (8-5) currently hold the top two wild card slots and the Texans need a crucial victory next week against Indianapolis to stay in the hunt for the postseason.

Denver slipped to 6-8 and must hope that the Browns lose their last two to stay alive for the playoffs. After torching their division rivals Kansas City 41-7 on Sunday, the Broncos could not score against the home team. Worse, the Mile High unit got crushed on the ground, managing only 72 rushing yards with no touchdowns.

Jay Cutler finished 27-of-39 with 254 yards but could only find one man in the end zone, Tony Scheffler, who caught a 12-yard touchdown pass that trimmed the deficit to 17-13 late in the third quarter. Scheffler had 100 yards in seven receptions while Brandon Marshall finished with 107 on 11 catches.

Texans running back Ron Dayne also scored a touchdown and Vonta Leach had a score in his only rush in the game. Johnson finished with 86 yards and tight end Owen Daniels caught three passes for 53 yards.