[Sportscapper]

Houston (2-0 SU and ATS) at Denver (1-1 SU and ATS)

Off to a rare hot start in the preseason, the Texans will attempt to continue their winning ways when they travel to Invesco Field to battle the Broncos.

Houston upset the Rams 27-20 as three-point road underdogs last week, improving to 2-0 in August for the first time in franchise history. In fact, in four previous exhibition campaigns, the Texans went 3-14 (4-13 ATS), including 1-7 SU and ATS on the road.

New Texans coach Gary Kubiak, who came to Houston after more than a decade as an assistant with the Broncos, says his starters will play three quarters, including quarterback David Carr, who has completed 59 percent of his passes for 122 yards. Backup QB Sage Rosenfels (59 percent, 177 yards, 1 TD) will lead the offense in the fourth quarter.

The Broncos bounced back from a preseason-opening 20-13 loss at Detroit and throttled the Titans 35-10 as a five-point home chalk. Quarterbacks Jake Plummer (6-for-8, 97 yards, 1 TD) and Jay Cutler (6-for-12, 99 yards, 1 TD) were outstanding in the victory. So, too, was the team’s slew of running backs, which combined for 238 yards on 45 carries, led by rookie Mike Bell (10 carries, 73 yards, 2 TDs).

Denver coach Mike Shanahan usually plays his starters into the third quarter in Week 3 of the preseason, and this year’s no different. Once Plummer departs, he once again will hand off to the rookie Cutler, who will finish the game. Cutler has been terrific in his first two NFL appearances, completing 65 percent of his throws for 291 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions, all but securing the job as Plummer’s understudy.

The Broncos are hurting at wide receiver, with Rod Smith and Brandon Marshall nursing injuries. Also, they traded disgruntled wideout Ashley Lelie to the Falcons as part of a three-team deal this week.

Denver improved to 8-3 (6-4-1 ATS) in its last 11 home preseason games with last week’s win over the Titans. The Broncos are also 10-6-1 in their last 17 August games as a favorite, while Houston is 5-10 ATS all-time as an underdog in the summer.

These teams have met in each of the last three preseasons, with the Broncos going 3-0 SU and ATS. Denver’s 20-14 victory in Texas last year was the only meeting decided by less than a touchdown.

ATS ADVANTAGE: DENVER