Denver can clinch the AFC West with a win and the experts expect just that.
Denver and Houston battled for home-field advantage last season, but with Houston faltering this year, the matchup on Sunday will only have playoff implications for the Broncos. Denver can clinch the AFC West and a first-round bye with a win. To very little surprise, NFL experts picked the Broncos to do just that.
Expert picks: SB Nation's panel breaks down Week 16
The Broncos have the second-best point differential in the league while Houston is third worst. Denver opened as a double-digit favorite, even on the road. If that wasn't enough, the Texans are also dealing with an assortment of injuries. The result is NFL experts unanimously picking the Broncos to win, including SB Nation's six experts.
Ryan Van Bibber
Joel Thorman
Jason Chilton
Stephen White
David Fucillo
Matt Ufford
Broncos at Texans
Broncos
Broncos
Broncos
Broncos
Broncos
Broncos
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.
More from SB Nation NFL
• NFL mock draft: Can Teddy Bridgewater save the Texans?
• The Post-Mortem: It could always be worse, Washington
• NFL Power Rankings: Seahawks, 49ers back on top
• Ravens shock Lions with 61-yard field goal | Jim Schwartz on hot seat
• Remembering a 22-year-old football player who died from a helmet-to-helmet hit