BUFFALO vs HOUSTON
TEXANS WIN 23 – 19
- Story of the Game – Houston’s Defense Swarms Allen as Bills Fall to a Stroudless Texans Team
Despite James Cook running for 116yds and averaging 6.8 YPC and Josh Allen completing 24/34 passes the abysmal pass protection and lack of outside WR play once again proved to be too much for a Bills team that continues to struggle. The biggest problem in my opinion continues to be the lack of any real option at WR that Allen can trust which leads to him holding onto the ball and trying to extend any passing play that isn’t a quick hitter to Shakir. That very problem reared its ugly head once again as Allen was forced to not only deal with a lack of outside WR play this game but also a horrific performance from his OL which may be excusable due to just how lethal this Houston pass rush has shown to be but this performance was terrible from a group that’s been up and down throughout this season. Aside from all of the issues that continue to plague the Bills offense the Texans continue to win games with their excellent performances on both special teams and defense. Between great punts to pin the Bills deep inside their own territory, forcing turnovers, and giving their offense short fields with defensive stops the Texans find ways to keep themselves around in games no matter the circumstances of their offense. What’s even more promising form this Texans team is despite not having their young star QB they still found a way to do enough and make key plays when they needed them most to scrap together enough of an offense to win this game. When you add Stroud back into this offense along with the OL starting to play a bit better, the young weapons they drafted starting to shine, and of course the way the defense and special teams plays this team could be dangerous down the stretch of this season.
- Key Notes for the Texans
Will Anderson, Danielle Hunter, and the rest of this Houston DL has been great all season but this game especially was unbelievable as far as what they did to this Bills OL. They were able to get Allen on the ground 8 times this game along with a multitude of pressures that seemingly showed up every play for this group of pass rushers. Along with the overall effect on the game they made all of the plays they needed to in the biggest moments that constantly forced Buffalo to settle or fail in big situations. This group is outstanding up front and if they can get any consistency from their offense moving forward I’m not sure there’s many teams that would feel any level of confidence playing this group down the stretch of this season and possibly into the playoffs.
The secondary as well continues to come up with the big plays when they need and they clearly did not fear the Bills WRs in this game. They were flyings round on the backend and the constant pressure up front allowed them to do so without consequences. With Calen Bullock flying around on the back end of this defense and the combination of Kamari Lassiter and Derek Stingley Jr (who was lights out this game) at CB I don’t that there’s a more dangerous defense in the league.
The special teams, especially the punt coverage unit, for this team continues to play a huge role into their success as a team. They had two punts that pinned the Bills inside their own 10yd line with one of them even being inside of the 5yd line. Both of those punts ended in the Bills coming away with a FG and a turnover on those two drives which plays a huge role in this team having the success that they did. This teams energy and relentless style of play really comes through on this phase of the ball and I think gives them a real energy going into each drive knowing that their going to win on the margins with the help of their special teams.
With the struggles their offense has had they will need to find ways to play complete and complimentary games on all 3 phases if they want to have success moving forward. If they continue to play like this on defense and special teams along with Stroud coming back with an improving offense this team will have a real chance at making a real run, so long as they scratch their way into the playoffs.
The OL was much improved from what I saw early on in this season and while not perfect they didn’t give up any sacks throughout the game and their ability to run the ball in short areas especially shined. Along with the OL playing better Woody Marks has continued to ascend as his role has increased throughout this season. Marks may not be a home run hitter or even what they had in Joe Mixon last season but he was very impressive running through contact and picking up tough yardage in this game.
- Key Notes for the Bills
The pass protection from the OL for the Bills this game was absolutely atrocious. There was constant pressure (OL gave up 28 pressures and 8 sacks) on Josh Allen which not only ended drives but caused costly turnovers as well and ultimately proved to be too much for even Josh Allen to over come. Along with the lack of protection up front from the Bills the issue at outside WR continues to plague this offense. There was no separation on the outside aside from one nice play from Gabe Davis. Because of the lack of difference makers or even quality players in their receiving core this offense continues to have no counter punch when teams take away or limit their run game. Now the Bills were to find success in the run game including a 45yd TD run by Cook on a beautifully blocked run but as the Texans adjusted and stood stout in the red zone it left the Bills with frustrating end dings to drives time after time. Until this team adjusts and finds a way to create some downfield explosiveness that actually threatens defenses regularly they’ll be far too limited to match up with the leagues best.
The defenses lack of pressure up front and inability to get off the field in short downs and distances was backbreaking for this team. When you add in the fact Mills missed a number of throws that would have resulted in chunk plays as well it’s hard to sit here and believe in this group. Cole Bishop has confused to ascend but this team is lacking any playmakers at any level of this defense which showed tonight as they were unable to get even one sack against a Houston OL that has been disappointing to say the least this season.
- Standout Performers
HOU
Woody Marks – 16/74
- Picked up multiple crucial 3rd/4th & short situations
Nico Collins – 3/55
Will Anderson Jr – 6 Tackles (3 Solo) 2.5 Sacks 2 TFLs 1 PD
Danielle Hunter – 6 Tackles (3 Solo) 2 Sacks 2 TFLs
Calen Bullock – 5 Tackles 1 FF 2 INTs 2 PBUs
Tommy Townsend – 6 Punts for 286yds 4 inside the 20yd line
BUF
James Cook – 17/116 1 TD – 3/13 rec
Khalil Shakir – 8/110
Cole Bishop – 6 Tackles (3 Solo)
- Made a couple really big hits and continues to ascend as a S in this defense that desperately needed someone to step up
