UPDATE: The Houston Texans stunned the Buffalo Bills, defeating them 23-19 in a thrilling showdown on Thursday night. Houston’s defense was relentless, sacking Bills quarterback Josh Allen a staggering eight times and forcing three turnovers, including a game-sealing interception from Calen Bullock.
This victory marks the Texans’ third consecutive win, elevating their record to 6-5 for the first time this season. Meanwhile, the Bills drop to 7-4, facing mounting pressure after a strong start to the year.
In a dramatic final possession for Buffalo, Allen was hit with back-to-back sacks that pushed them into a fourth-and-27 situation. Despite a valiant effort with a 44-yard pass to Josh Palmer, a subsequent false start penalty turned a critical fourth-and-1 into a fourth-and-6. With just 24 seconds left, Bullock intercepted Allen at the Houston 9-yard line, clinching the win for the Texans.
Texans quarterback Davis Mills stepped up in place of C.J. Stroud, who was sidelined due to a concussion, throwing for 153 yards and two touchdowns. This performance underscores Mills’ resilience as he guided his team to victory against a formidable opponent.
Throughout the game, Allen struggled against Houston’s fierce defense, throwing for 253 yards but failing to connect for a touchdown. This marked a stark contrast from his previous game, where he had six touchdown passes against Tampa Bay. The Texans’ defensive standout, Will Anderson Jr., recorded 2.5 sacks, further showcasing the Texans’ defensive dominance.
The game saw its share of exciting plays, including a 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Buffalo’s Ray Davis, which initially gave the Bills a brief lead. However, the Texans quickly countered with an 8-yard touchdown pass from Mills to Jayden Higgins just before halftime, shifting the momentum back to Houston.
Injury updates also surfaced, with Bills linebacker Terrel Bernard leaving the game in the third quarter due to an elbow injury, and Texans cornerback Ajani Carter exiting with a hamstring issue.
“We knew we had to step up and dominate tonight,” Bullock stated after the game. “We executed our game plan and it paid off.”
Looking ahead, the Texans will visit the Indianapolis Colts on November 30, while the Bills are set to face the Pittsburgh Steelers on the same day. Both teams are eager to rebound from the challenging matchup.
With this decisive win, the Texans have not only boosted their playoff hopes but also sent a clear message to the league: they are a force to be reckoned with. As the NFL season intensifies, all eyes will be on how both teams respond in their next games.
