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Relentless Houston Texans’ defense beats up Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills on Thursday Night Football
Four days after Josh Allen threw for three touchdowns and rushed for another three scores in an astonishing six-TD game, the Houston Texans showed the reigning NFL MVP why they have a top-rated defense.
The Texans sacked Allen eight times for a loss of 70 yards, keeping the star quarterback out of the end zone and intercepting him twice, as their defense powered the way to a 23-19 home win over the Buffalo Bills at NRG Stadium in Houston on Thursday Night Football.
With the game in the balance during the Bills’ final drive, safety Calen Bullock intercepted Allen for the second time, securing the victory for the Texans (6-5).
It was a dramatic ending as back-to-back sacks on Allen forced the Bills into a 4th & 27 possession with 51 seconds remaining. That’s when Buffalo devised a brilliant play with Allen finding Joshua Palmer streaking across the field for an 11-yard reception before the wideout lateralled the ball to Khalil Shakir for 33 more yards for an improbable 44-yard gain with 41 seconds left as the the Bills were suddenly deep in Houston territory with a chance to win the game.
On a 3rd & 1, though, the Texans managed to bat down Allen’s pass attempt. A false start later made it a 4th & 6 possession for Allen before he was intercepted by Bullock in a rough night for the star QB. A flag was thrown on the field simultaneously but it was ruled an offensive pass interference which was declined.
Three of the eight sacks on Allen came on third down as the Texans entered the game as the NFL’s top-ranked defense in allowed points and yards per game.
Altogether, Allen was stifled into completing 24-of-34 passes for 253 yards, while only managing 20 more yards on the ground.
The only touchdowns the Bills were able to muster Thursday night came on an opening drive where James Cook produced a 45-yard scoring rush and in the second quarter when Ray Davis delivered a 97-yard kickoff return.
Meanwhile, Texans’ quarterback Davis Mills, starting in the place for C.J. Stroud, completed 16-of-30 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns — both TDs coming in the second quarter as Houston led 20-16 at the half and never looked back.
A field goal by the Texans in the third quarter and Bills in the fourth were the game’s only other scores. The Bills had to settle for that field goal with 5:44 left after Allen was sacked twice during that drive as well.
The Texans have now won three straight games, getting over the .500 level for the first time this season following a disastrous 0-3 start. They'll visit the Indianapolis Colts in Week 12, followed by a road game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium during Week 13 as part of this tough stretch.
With the loss, the Bills fall to 7-4. They'll visit the Pittsburgh Steelers next weekend.
