📸 Image Credit: Bill Wippert/Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills left Sunday night with more concerns than answers—especially on the injury front. Starting right tackle Spencer Brown was spotted with his right arm in a sling after the game, raising immediate questions about his availability moving forward. Compounding the issue, starting middle linebacker Terrel Bernard exited with an elbow injury and never returned, also seen in a sling on the sidelines. For a Bills team fighting to stay alive in the AFC playoff race, the timing could not be worse.
But the night belonged to the Houston Texans, who delivered another defensive masterpiece and rode the momentum of rising young offensive weapons to secure the victory, extending their success without C.J. Stroud.
Texans’ Offense: Christian Kirk & Jayden Higgins Step Up Big
Houston’s passing game has undergone a noticeable transformation over the last few weeks, and veteran wideout Christian Kirk reminded everyone what he is capable of. Battling injuries all season, Kirk turned in his most impactful performance in weeks, leading the team with five receptions for 54 yards and a first-half touchdown—more than his previous three games combined.
Meanwhile, rookie receiver Jayden Higgins continues his impressive climb. Targeted a team-high nine times, Higgins recorded four catches for 38 yards and a touchdown, marking his third score in his last five outings. His late-second-quarter grab gave Houston the lead, and they never looked back.
Woody Marks Claims RB1 Status
Another breakout performance came from rookie running back Woody Marks, who ran with power and confidence throughout the night. He nearly broke free for a long touchdown in the opening quarter and later powered ahead on a pivotal fourth-down conversion, finishing with:
- 16 carries
- 74 yards
- 4.6 yards per attempt
Marks significantly out-snapped veteran Nick Chubb once again, signaling his rising importance in Houston’s backfield.
Davis Mills Does Enough, Texans Improve to 3–0 in His Starts
With C.J. Stroud still in concussion protocol, Davis Mills earned his third straight win as a starter. Though inconsistent early—the Texans went just 1-of-8 passing in the opening quarter—Mills settled in, ultimately throwing two touchdown passes (to Kirk and Higgins) while finishing 16-of-30 for 153 yards.
Despite missed opportunities and a quiet second half with only 31 passing yards, Mills played turnover-free football and relied heavily on defensive support.
Houston’s Defense Dominates: Will Anderson Jr. and Calen Bullock Shine
The Texans’ defense, ranked No. 1 in the NFL in both points and yards allowed, completely suffocated Josh Allen and the Bills offense.
Defensive Highlights
- 8 total sacks — the most Allen has taken in his career
- 3 forced turnovers
- 253 passing yards allowed
- 0 passing TDs for Allen, his first such game since Week 2
Will Anderson Jr. delivered a breathtaking performance with 2.5 sacks costing Buffalo 31.5 yards and a critical pass breakup on 3rd-and-1 in the final seconds.
Rookie safety Calen Bullock was the closer, intercepting Allen twice—his second pick sealing the game. He also forced a fumble on receiver Khalil Shakir, showcasing outstanding playmaking instincts.
James Cook: The Lone Bright Spot for Buffalo
While the Bills offense sputtered, running back James Cook produced one of his most explosive games of the season, rushing for 116 yards on 6.8 yards per carry, including a 45-yard touchdown burst. He also added three catches out of the backfield. Cook continues to justify the contract he held out to earn and remains the heartbeat of Buffalo’s offense.
Bills Defense Rebounds, But Injuries Cloud Future
Buffalo’s defense was gashed early but responded by allowing just three points from Houston’s offense in the second half, keeping the game competitive until the end. However, with Spencer Brown and Terrel Bernard potentially facing missed time, major challenges lie ahead.
Final Thoughts
The Houston Texans proved once again that elite defense and timely plays win football games, even without their franchise quarterback. Meanwhile, Buffalo must regroup quickly as injuries mount and inconsistency persists.
If Mills continues managing games effectively and this defense keeps rolling, the Texans remain a legitimate AFC contender. For the Bills, the margin for error is shrinking by the week.
