Josh Allen is not the same quarterback who threw for just 84 yards at NRG Stadium last season.
The Texans beat the Bills 20-13 in Week 6 of 2018, when Allen was a rookie.
Allen threw for less than five yards per attempt and rushed for 20 yards in an underwhelming performance.
That was more than a year ago. Fast forward and Allen is averaging 6.7 yards per attempt, though he continues to be a major threat running.
Texans head coach Bill O'Brien called Allen "a very dangerous guy" who makes good decisions with the football.
Allen threw for 3,089 yards and rushed for 510. He completed 20 touchdowns to nine interceptions.
Compare that to Deshaun Watson, who ranks 13th and 14th in those areas, respectively.
The numbers are not eye-popping.
Still, Allen is an improved player in a system which suits him.
"This guy is a dangerous player. He does a lot of things well. He's a great competitor, never thinks the play's over. There's the play that's called in the huddle and then the play that may be run once the ball's snapped because of his ability. He can escape, he can run, they have designed runs for him, and then obviously he scrambles, so he has the ability to scramble. It's a big challenge for us.”
Allen has the speed, size and athleticism run for big plays, and the Texans defense has been susceptible to giving those up lately.
There was Derrick Henry's 53-yard run in the regular season finale; Ronald Jones' 49-yard run in Tampa; and tight end Jonnu Smith for 57 yards in their first meeting against the Titans.
Crennel said sometimes it's about trying to do too much, overrunning gaps and unable to defend the cut back.
Cornerback Johnathan Joseph, who said Allen is "night-and-day" different from last year, acknowledged the Bills offense as a complete unit with speed at wide receiver, tight end and a well-rounded running attack.
"He can run the ball, extend plays with his legs and make all the throws," Joseph said. "Just from watching film, the little film we had on him last year to this year, night-and-day difference, obviously leading them to the playoffs and getting them to where they want to be. That's a big step."