5 Plays That Decided Bills vs. Texans

The Buffalo Bills started the season with an impressive 36-31 win over the Houston Texans on Sunday. It was the team’s first win in Houston since 2006, ending a six-game losing streak in Space City. 

Of course, it wasn’t always the prettiest game. There were plays the offense wishes it had back, and the defense, aside from a couple of players, was largely disappointing. In fact, you can go so far as to say that, as a unit, it failed its first test in a major way.

But a win is a win, and starting the season 1-0 with a short week is a lot better feeling than being 0-1 with the Detroit Lions coming to town. Before looking forward to Thursday night, however, let’s look at the five plays that decided the game between the Bills and Texans.

Dalton Kincaid for 38 yards

With 2:10 left in the first half, Buffalo had the ball on its own four-yard line. Rather than play it safe, head coach Joe Brady called a pass play to give the team a chance for points before half. Josh Allen took the snap, rolled out right, and sent the ball nearly 40 yards downfield. Though he wasn’t open by any means, Dalton Kincaid climbed the ladder and came down with his first catch of the game.

Without that catch, the Bills might not have gone 96 yards before half to increase their lead. And, as it turns out, that touchdown was almost as important as the game-winner. Kincaid finished the game with 130 yards on five receptions.

The Dropped Interception

Right before the game-winning touchdown, Allen made his worst decision of the game. Instead of rolling out of the pocket and throw it away, he threw it downfield to Joshua Palmer. The problem was that Palmer didn’t know the ball was coming. In fact, the only one paying attention was Texans cornerback Kamari Lassiter. 

He tried to make the interception while falling backwards, but wasn’t able to bring the ball in. Had he held on, an entirely different conversation regarding Allen would be happening.

The Unpracticed Touchdown

It’s the only touchdown on this list, but it was the biggest. A post route to Palmer for 34 yards and a score. What makes this play stand out is that Allen confirmed after the game it wasn’t a play that was practiced the way it went. 

Allen said it happened when he noticed the defense cheating up on DJ Moore, letting him make the decision to find Palmer open downfield on 3rd and 11. If he doesn’t make that throw, fans are questioning why not throw it to Khalil Shakir, who was coming wide open for what likely would’ve been a first down.

Deone Walker’s Sack

Before Greg Rousseau’s game-sealing sack two plays later, Deone Walker put the Texans’ backs truly against the wall. Facing 1st and goal on the nine, the Bills sent pressure at Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud. Walker was able to come up the middle and fold Stroud over with 20 seconds remaining. 

The sack forced Houston to use its final timeout and put them at 2nd and goal at Buffalo’s 18. It took away options to use the full field and forced the Texans to target the end zone on the next two plays. 

Greg Rousseau’s Second Strip Sack

He finished the first drive of the game with a strip sack and then did the same to end the game. Rousseau was one of the few bright spots on a not-so-good day for the Bills defense. He made plays in the backfield, handled business in the run game, and even broke up a pass. 

On the final sack, Rousseau used his speed and power to get into Houston tackle Trent Brown and then rip himself away to the back of Stroud. His length allowed him to reach in from underneath and punch the ball out, allowing Terrell Bernard to recover the fumble.

It was Rousseau’s sixth career game with multiple sacks. The Bills are now 6-0 in those games. He was expected to have a big impact in the new defensive scheme. I just don’t think anyone expected it to be this big, this soon.