Texans’ defense comes up big in TNF win against Bills

Houston–the texans Are fully back in the playoff race after a big gap win 23-19 against buffalo bill On “Thursday Night Football”.

The Texans’ defense demonstrated why it is the No. 1-ranked defense in prime time as it limited the Bills’ offense to 12 points. It allows only 16.4 points per game and shows why this is one of the best defenses in recent seasons. Unit sacks Bills quarterback josh allen Eight times, and when it mattered most, Houston’s defense sealed the win with an interception by a safety. calen bull,

Even though the unit gave up fourth-and-27 on a hook-and-lateral during the final drive to the horror of the Houston faithful, it didn’t hurt the team. The Texans are now over .500 with a shot at the playoffs. According to ESPN Analytics, they have a 37% chance of reaching the playoffs.

Here are the most important things to know from Thursday night for both teams:

Amazing Performance: backup Davis Mills Throwed two touchdowns and led the Texans offense to 23 points while getting the reigning MVP. Houston’s season looked shaky after losing quarterback CJ Stroud against denver broncos With one blowout and the team sits at 3-5 overall. But Mills came forward and controlled the attack well and improved his record to 3-0.

turn: This happened after a Bills running back scored a touchdown before the end of the first half. ray davis‘Returned a 97-yard kickoff for a touchdown just before halftime. Found wideouts jayden higgins A big momentum swing provided for a touchdown with 5 seconds remaining as it allowed Houston to take a 20–16 lead. Given how well Houston’s defense has played this season, they needed to score 20 points in the first half to win.

Viewing Trends: The Texans defense allowed the fewest points per game (16.3) in Week 12, but their sacks were in the middle of the pack with 25 (14th). But against Allen, Houston sacked him eight times, a season-high for the Texans. Now that Houston’s defense is putting up sacks to tag along with its No. 1-ranked scoring output, we may be seeing one of the best defenses in recent seasons.

Statistics to know: One reason Mills was able to play well was that he was protected. He was pressured to dropback only 14% and was not dismissed at all. There were games where he could scan the entire field before throwing to his target. Considering who they were playing on the Bills and the magnitude of this game for playoff positioning, this was the best offensive line the Texans have played all season. – DJ Bien-Aime

Next game: But indianapolis colts (1 p.m. ET, Nov. 30)

The bill required a campaign for crime. The unit struggled throughout, but with 2:48 left in the game, the reigning MVP got the ball back at his own 18-yard line.

Then, quarterback josh allen Was dismissed for the seventh and eighth time. But the magic came on fourth-and-27 when Allen threw the ball to the wide receiver joshua palmerwho almost immediately pitched the ball to the wide receiver Khalil ShakirJoe then ran down the sideline and picked up a first down.

However, the magic eventually wore off after a few plays.

For a myriad of reasons, from playcalling to the Texans’ No. 1 defense, the Bills’ offense went most of the game without putting together a drive. Allen did not get a touchdown for the ninth time in his career.

And despite a valiant final effort, mistakes were made, including a false start by the left tackle Dion Dawkins On 4th and 1, the lack of finish came to the fore once again as the Bills fell short of the end zone and lost to the Texans. Buffalo loses 7-4, yet another game behind new England Patriots In the race for the AFC East.

Statistics to know: James Cook III Became the third Bills player with 1,000 rushing yards in three consecutive seasons with his 45-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. He joins OJ Simpson and Thurman Thomas as the only Bills to do so. The score was also Cook’s 36th career touchdown, tying him with Joe Cribbs and Cookie Gilchrist for second-most touchdowns for the Bills in a player’s first four NFL seasons (Thurman Thomas is first with 39).

What is meant by QB performance: The big story here is the sacks, all eight of them. The Texans were effective in doing so six times when they sent down four or fewer pass rushers, which is the most sacks he has had in his career. This struggling offense is at its best when it’s in short yardage situations and sacks – a lack of open receivers, the combined result of decision-making by Allen, a tough day at the offensive line and a very good Texans defense – have made it few and far between.

Viewing Trends: Turnover Margin. The Bills had an NFL-record streak of 26 straight games without losing a turnover margin at the end of Week 5, and have been on a downward trend since then. In the six games since then, Buffalo has won by turnover margin twice. This game was a prime example of how turnovers are an issue for this team, including at wide receiver Khalil ShakirFumble at the Buffalo 22-yard line. And yes, while the offense is doubling from last year (eight to 16), the defense has also struggled to take the ball away (from 32 takeaways last year to 13 to 11 a game this season).— Alaina Getzenberg

Next game: But pittsburgh steelers (4:25 p.m. ET, Nov. 30)