The Texans fell to the Broncos 14-10 in their Week 2 preseason matchup against Denver.

Neither Ryan Mallett nor Brian Hoyer were unable to get the Texans on the scoreboard in the first half, as the Texans quarterback battle continued. Mallett, who started the game, completed 5-of-7 passes for 23 yards on his two offensive series.

Brian Hoyer was 7-of-11 for 52 yards on his four drives to finish out the first half. Tom Savage entered the game in the second half as the Texans scored all 10 points in the third quarter. The second-year quarterback finished 15-of-24 for 168 yards and an 83.3 passer rating.

Young players fighting to make the 53-man roster made big plays for Houston. Outside linebacker Kourtnei Brown had a game-changing interception that he returned 69 yards for the Texans lone touchdown of the night. Brown, a first-year player out of Clemson, was signed to the practice squad last December.

Second-year cornerback Charles James II put himself on film after making some big plays on special teams. In the first quarter, James's tackle on a Texans punt produced a six-yard loss. He then downed a punt at the Broncos two-yard line at the start of the second quarter.

Peyton Manning was kept scoreless by the Texans defense which was without starters J.J. Watt, Vince Wilfork, Jadeveon Clowney and Johnathan Joseph. Each of his four drives resulted in a punt as he finished 8-for-14 and 52 yards.

In the second quarter, the Broncos took a 7-0 lead when Brock Osweiler threw a 57-yard touchdown to Andre Caldwell.

The Texans scored in their opening drive of the second half. Savage marched the Texans offense down the field to get into field goal range on his first drive. After a 12-play, 72-yard drive, Randy Bullock added a 32-yard field goal.

Brown picked off Osweiler and returned it 69 yards for a touchdown two drives later. The Texans took a 10-7 lead late in the third quarter.

After a pass interference call on third down, the Broncos moved deep into Texans territory just before the two-minute warning. Trevor Siemian, in at quarterback for Denver, connected with wide receiver Corbin Louks to regain the Broncos lead after a 7-play, 92-yard drive. Denver led 14-10 with 1:44 left in the game.

Houston had one final drive. Savage converted three first downs, but the second year quarterback came up short after being sacked and ultimately running out of time.

The (1-1) Texans travel to New Orleans for their third preseason game on Sunday, Aug. 30.