Houston – Josh Allen connected with Joshua Palmer for a 34-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter as the Buffalo Bills ended their 36-31 upset of the Texans in Houston.
It was Allen’s first career win as a starter with the Texans in Houston (he was 0-4 previously). It was the Bills’ first win in Houston since 2006.
Allen threw for 334 yards and two touchdowns on 20-of-29 passing. Offseason trade acquisition DJ Moore caught five passes for 100 yards and his first touchdown. Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid, coming off a torn PCL last season, was a prime target for Allen as well, with five catches for 130 yards.
It’s the 36th point the Texans defense has given up since December 2023.
The Texans were threatening on a potential game-winning drive late, but a sack of Deon Walker and a forced fumble by Greg Russo sealed the win for the Bills.
The Bills have a short week as they open the new Highmark Stadium against the Detroit Lions on Thursday night. The Texans are on the road next Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals.
What does this tell us about where the Bills and Texans fit in the AFC hierarchy?
It looks like both teams’ projections are dead at the top of the list, as both teams have high ceilings. For the Bills and their seemingly new deep passing attack with wide receiver DJ Moore, their ability to get chunks will play against a formidable Texas defense. The Bills should be given confidence that they can move the ball against most of the league’s best defenses in their game.
For the Texans, their offense is vastly improved from a year ago and helped Bills defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard to the tune of four touchdowns. While both the Bills and Texans will be hoping for better results from their defenses, both teams look right for the AFC playoffs this season.
– Joe Buscaglia, staff writer
What does Joe Brady’s first introduction tell us about how different these bills are?
Overall, the Bills didn’t look any different Sunday than they did under Sean McDermott, but they had more success against an opponent that destroyed them last year.
The offense put up plenty of points, but the defense looked more bent-but-not-broken than the offensive unit everyone expected from new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, a star alumnus of the Rex Ryan/Mike Pettine school.
The Texans sacked Josh Allen eight times last year and created a lot of turnovers, but the 2024 MVP was clean on both counts and provided the game-tying heroics we’ve come to expect. Allen ran for two touchdowns and threw for two more, including a 34-yard winner to Joshua Palmer with 1:36 to play. Running back James Cook looked like a game-breaker when he was given the chance. Moore provided a buzzer beater but was carted off the field late in the fourth quarter.
But the initial look of the defense — the side of the ball the Bills will need to improve upon sacking McDermott — left a lot to be desired. Chunk plays and bad penalties plagued Leonhard’s staff all afternoon. The sophomore endured a grueling game in both divisions, but CJ Strode’s forced double – with nine seconds left in the final – saved the day.
– Tim Graham, staff writer
What did we learn about Jim Leonhard’s defense?
We’ve learned that they’re packing their personnel differently than last year, but the Bills certainly look like a team with plenty of new defensive starters in the new scheme. There were some highlights, with the Bills forcing a punt to start and end the game as both Texans tried to run out the clock, going three-and-out. But, in between those incidents, the Texans had a big turnover, the Bills couldn’t stop on third down, and Leonhard’s class has a lot to improve on.
All three levels of the sector have raised questions. The pass rush wasn’t consistent enough, the run defense struggled to get off blocks, and there were some big gains through the air. The shooting was a little underwhelming against this Texans team, but it means the Bills should be a shooting team early in the season and will have to rely on Josh Allen and his offense. Despite still giving up 31 points, there were some signs of life for Leonhard’s defense.
– Buscaglia
Will DJ Moore’s presence change the Buffalo Bills?
You could tell by the smile on Josh Allen’s face that he was impressed by Moore’s dramatic skills. Allen and Brady didn’t target Moore until less than five minutes remained. However, over the next seven snaps, Moore covered 122 yards in 90 seconds, and the Bills scored two touchdowns.
Their first touch went for 18 yards and a 46-yard pass followed by an end zone marker led to a call on cornerback Kamari Lassiter. Allen ran the last yard for the score.
On the second snap of the next possession, Allen hit Moore for 15 yards on the next play down the right sideline. Texans safety Reed Blankenship almost got his hands on it, but Moore grabbed him and — with no one behind him — cruised for a 43-yard TD. Allen beamed as he raised his arms and watched Moore finish the game.
What a debut it was. Buffalo in 2011. Starting in 2024, Stefon Diggs is looking for a reliable field wide receiver. Despite the prospect’s low-key stats (65.5 receptions for 800.5 yards and 5.5 TDs), utility fans were excited about Moore’s potential production.
Moore finished with five catches for 100 yards, but Allen didn’t connect with him for most of the third quarter and all of the fourth.
– Graham
