Houston, Texas (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Buffalo Bills offense fell flat in Houston on "Thursday Night Football" in a 23-19 loss to the Texans at NRG Stadium.
It was a struggle offensively for the Bills, as quarterback Josh Allen was pressured relentlessly all night long and was sacked eight times, to go along with tossing two interceptions.
The Bills defense made quick work of the Texans on their opening drive of the game, forcing a three-and-out and an early punt.
Buffalo's offense looked efficient against a strong Texans front on its opening drive. Houston was able to hold Buffalo to a fourth down early in the drive, but Josh Allen was able to get the first down himself by flying over the top of the defense.
This later set up running back James Cook to patiently find a hole in the middle of the field and break free for a 45-yard touchdown run for an early Bills lead.
However, kicker Matt Prater ended up missing his extra point attempt wide to the left, resulting in a 6-0 lead after the opening drive.
The Texans managed to rebound on their next drive and get on the board. Their run game was able to get the into the red zone on a Bills defense that has struggled all season against the run.
However, the Buffalo defense did not break, and managed to force a field goal from Ka'imi Fairbairn to give Houston its first score of the contest.
Buffalo was able to add another score in the second quarter, though it was of the field goal variety.
Houston's defense made a huge stand in the red zone, sacking Allen for a big loss. That set up Prater to convert on a 44-yard field goal through the uprights to extend the Buffalo lead to 9-3.
Houston jumped in front for the first time of the following drive.
The Bills' struggles against the run continued, as Woody Marks moved the Texans down the field and into scoring position once again. The drive eventually culminated in a two-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Davis Mills to wide receiver Christian Kirk.
After a successful extra point attempt from Faibairn, Buffalo trailed by a point, 10-9.
On the very first play from scrimmage on Buffalo's next drive, Allen fired a pass intended for Elijah Moore that ended up being batted in the air and picked off by Calen Bullock. Bullock thought he had returned the interception for a touchdown, but the score was called back for an illegal block in the back.
Buffalo's defense held strong, though, forcing Houston to settle for another field goal from Fairbairn to extend its lead to 13-9.
With less than two minutes left on the clock in the first half and on the ensuing kickoff, the Bills had an immediate response thanks to the special teams. It was Ray Davis fielding the kickoff and finding a hole to take it 97 yards for a touchdown to recapture the lead, 16-13.
The Bills did not keep the lead for long, though, giving up another touchdown just before the end of the half.
Mills was methodical on the final offensive drive of the half for the Texans, utilizing six plays and 75 yards or space to eventually find rookie wideout Jayden Higgins in the end zone for an 8-yard touchdown pass.
The second half became a defensive battle between both teams, with the first score from either squad not coming until just under a minute left in the third quarter.
Another Fairbairn field goal from 26 yards out helped extend the Texans' lead by three more as the contest approached the final 15 minutes of play.
That field goal was set up after a costly fumble by wide receiver Khalil Shakir, who coughed up the ball following a catch on third down that went for 13 yards and would've been a first down.
The Houston defense was up to the task in the second half, getting to Allen on, what seemed like, every offensive drive and bringing him to the ground.
The Bills began the fourth quarter driving down the field, looking like they had some momentum as they looked to score. However, Houston forced a turnover on downs in their own end after stuffing Cook on four-straight run plays.
After stopping the Texans once again, the Bills were able to add a few more points on the board thanks to another Prater field goal, this time from 38 yards out to lessen the deficit to 23-19 with 5:44 to go.
The Bills defense stepped up once again on the next Texans drive, stopping Houston and forcing another punt with less than three minutes remaining in regulation.
It all came down to one final drive for Allen and the Bills offense, and just as it looked like it could be over on a 4th-and-27, wide receiver Joshua Palmer made a catch in the middle of the field short of the marker. However, he managed to pitch it to Shakir, who then managed to pick up the necessary yardage for the first down in the final minute of the game.
However, a few plays later on another fourth down in Texans territory, the Houston defense dialed up more pressure on Allen, forcing him to throw off his back foot and to Bullock for his second interception of the evening with 18 seconds to go in the contest.
Houston only then needed to kneel the ball down and let time expire to claim victory over the Bills.
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SCORING RECAP
First Quarter:
- 6-0 BUFFALO: Bills Touchdown (9:11) - James Cook breaks free for a 45-yard touchdown run. (Matt Prater's extra point attempt misses wide left)
Drive info: 10 plays, 81 yards, 4:44
- 6-3 BUFFALO: Texans Field Goal (4:32) - Ka'imi Fairbairn's 24-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 10 plays, 54 yards, 4:39
Second Quarter:
- 9-3 BUFFALO: Bills Field Goal (9:35) - Matt Prater's 44-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 13 plays, 69 yards, 7:03
- 10-9 HOUSTON: Texans Touchdown (3:47) - Davis Mills tosses a 2-yard touchdown pass to Christian Kirk. (Ka'imi Fairbairn's extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 12 plays, 77 yards, 5:48
- 13-9 HOUSTON: Texans Field Goal (1:43) - Ka'imi Fairbairn's 43-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 4 plays, 5 yards, 1:30
- 16-13 BUFFALO: Bills Touchdown (1:43) - Ray Davis returns a kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown. (Matt Prater's extra point attempt is good)
- 20-16 HOUSTON: Texans Touchdown (0:05) - Davis Mills fires a strike to Jayden Higgins for an 8-yard touchdown. (Ka'imi Fairbairn's extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 6 plays, 75 yards, 1:38
Third Quarter:
- 23-16 HOUSTON: Texans Field Goal (0:17) - Ka'imi Fairbairn's 26-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 7 plays, 14 yards, 3:52
Fourth Quarter:
- 23-19 HOUSTON: Bills Field Goal (5:44) - Matt Prater's 38-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 7 plays, 42 yards, 3:25
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SKYWORKS EQUIPMENT RENTAL STATS OF THE GAME:
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What's next:
The Bills get an extended period off to get ready to head to Pittsburgh on Sunday, Nov. 30 to face the Steelers. Kickoff from Acrisure Stadium is set for 4:25 p.m. on the radio home of the Bills - WGR Sports Radio 550.