Houston, Texas (WGR Sports Radio 550) - Despite another shaky start on both sides of the ball, the Buffalo Bills battled back from a 20-3 third quarter deficit to tie their matchup with the Houston Texans at 20-20 late in the fourth quarter.
However, a 59-yard field goal from Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn as time expired in regulation helped Houston escape with a 23-20 win over the Bills at NRG Stadium.
After both teams exchanged punts to open the game, the Bills turned to running back James Cook, as he made big chunk plays in both the run and pass game. However, the Bills stalled out in the red zone, resulting in a 38-yard field goal from Tyler Bass to put Buffalo on the board first.
The Texans answered back on their next drive, as running back Cam Akers found the end zone with a 15-yard touchdown run.
The Bills' passing game was not clicking in the first quarter, as Buffalo ended up going three-and-out and punting again on their next drive.
It did not take long for the Texans to get another score on the board. In one play, the Texans took a 14-3 lead on the Bills thanks to quarterback C.J. Stroud connecting with wide receiver Nico Collins on a 67-yard touchdown pass.
Following another Buffalo punt, the Texans had an opportunity to open the game up with another score in the second quarter. However, the Buffalo defense came up with a stop on a fourth down run inside the Buffalo red zone to force a turnover on downs.
After a pair of Buffalo punts with time ticking down in the first half, the Texans were able to get just into field goal range for Fairbairn and close out the first half with a 50-yard field goal.
After receiving the second half kickoff, the Texans got back into scoring position, but stalled out at the Bills' 29-yard line. It resulted in another Fairbairn field goal from 47 yards out to give Houston a 20-3 lead.
Buffalo's offense took to the field for their first drive of the half and finally found pay dirt. After a penalty and a great catch from tight end Dalton Kincaid to set up a 1st-and-goal, Cook was able to power his way into the end zone from five yards out to cut into the deficit.
After the Buffalo defense was able to force a three-and-out of the Texans, Allen and company on offense were able to work their way back into the game.
Facing a 4th-and-5 at the Texans' 49-yard line, Allen was able to find rookie wideout Keon Coleman, who got the first down and then tip-toed his way down the sideline for a 49-yard touchdown.
Following an exchange of punts with the clock bleeding into the fourth quarter, the Texans had a chance to put the Bills on the brink with a touchdown. However, a Stroud pass over the middle intended for former Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs ended up being picked off by linebacker Terrel Bernard.
The Bills moved down the field a bit, but failed to get past midfield and ended up punting the ball back to Houston with about six minutes remaining on the clock.
On the third down pass attempt, before the punt, Allen got drilled and ended up remaining down on the field for a bit. He was evaluated in the blue tent for a head injury, but was able to return to the game, only missing one snap.
While Allen was getting evaluated, the Buffalo defense handled business and caused a Texans turnover in Bills territory. Stroud ended up being strip-sacked by defensive end Dawuane Smoot, and linebacker Dorian Williams was able to recover the loose change.
Even though Buffalo started its drive in the red zone, the Bills failed to find the end zone and re-take the lead. Instead, Buffalo was able to a game-tying field goal from Bass from 33 yards out with 3:18 to go.
Buffalo's defense was able to hold the Texans once more as the clocked ticked down past the two-minute warning, and even pushed Houston out of field goal range thanks to a third down intentional grounding penalty by Stroud.
After an excellent punt by the Texans pinned the Bills at their own three-yard line, the offense failed to take much time off the clock with three-straight incomplete passes, resulting in a Sam Martin punt from the back of his own end zone.
With seven seconds remaining after the punt, the Texans were able to get a bit closer into field goal range with a quick pass to the Bills' 41-yard line, putting Fairbairn within striking distance from 59 yards away.
Fairbairn's kick with two seconds left in regulation had plenty of distance and went right down the middle to solidify a 23-20 victory for the Texans over the Bills.
With the loss, Buffalo now drops a second-straight game to fall to 3-2 on the season.
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SCORING RECAP
First Quarter:
- 3-0 BUFFALO: Bills field goal (6:30) - Tyler Bass' 38-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 10 plays, 29 yards, 5:37
- 7-3 HOUSTON: Texans touchdown (3:01) - Cam Akers scampers to the left for a 15-yard touchdown run. (Ka'imi Fairbairn's extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 6 plays, 70 yards, 3:32
- 14-3 HOUSTON: Texans touchdown (1:43) - C.J. Stroud fires deep to Nico Collins for a 67-yard touchdown. (Ka'imi Fairbairn's extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 1 play, 67 yards, 0:09
Second Quarter:
- 17-3 HOUSTON: Texans field goal (0:03) - Ka'imi Fairbairn's 50-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 6 plays, 19 yards, 0:30
Third Quarter:
- 20-3 HOUSTON: Texans field goal (11:19) - Ka'imi Fairbairn's 47-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 8 plays, 41 yards, 3:45
- 20-10 HOUSTON: Buffalo touchdown (8:52) - James Cook rushes up the middle for a 5-yard touchdown. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 6 plays, 70 yards, 2:27
- 20-17 HOUSTON: Buffalo touchdown (4:30) - Josh Allen fires a pass to Keon Coleman, who breaks free for a 49-yard touchdown pass.
Drive info: 5 plays, 65 yards, 2:46
Fourth Quarter:
- 20-20 TIE: Buffalo field goal (3:21) - Tyler Bass' 33-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 4 plays, 0 yards, 1:03
- 23-20 HOUSTON: Texans field goal (0:02) - Ka'imi Fairbairn's 59-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 2 plays, 5 yards, 0:07
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SKYWORKS EQUIPMENT RENTAL STATS OF THE GAME:
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What's next:
The Bills will close out their three-game road trip next Monday night when they head to the Meadowlands to take on the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 8:15 p.m. ET on the official voice of the Bills - WGR Sports Radio 550.