Buffalo Bills: What to expect from their AFC opponents in 2021
By Aaron Tully
Houston Texans
2020 Finish: 4-12
2020 was a season to forget for the Houston Texans.
The Texans are a franchise that is currently reeling. They are coming off a 4-12 season where they ruined their relationship with their star quarterback Deshaun Watson and released their franchise icon J.J Watt. Watson led the NFL in both passing yards and yards per pass attempt last season. It is widely believed that Watson has played his final game in a Texans uniform, whether it’s due to issues off of the field, or his well-documented issues with the Texans.
The Texans are preparing to move on without Watson, as they brought in three quarterbacks during the offseason. Those three quarterbacks are free agent signings Tyrod Taylor and Jeff Driskel, and 67th overall pick David Mills from Stanford.
Former Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor is the most likely candidate for the starting job in Houston, but passing offenses led by Taylor over the course of a full season have never finished better than 28th in the NFL.
The Texans’ return game should improve, as they signed Andre Roberts in free agency, ending his short, but successful stint in Buffalo.
No one on the Texans’ offense should really give Buffalo any big problems. Houston’s only receiving threat is Brandin Cooks, and with the uncertainty surrounding the Texans’ quarterback situation, his impact may be limited.
Houston’s defense was bad in 2020, finishing 27th in points allowed, 29th in total yards allowed, and dead last in rushing yards allowed.
They made some nice additions to their defense in free agency, adding Kevin Pierre-Louis and former All-Pro cornerback Desmond King II. Even with these two additions, it seems unlikely that just two players will turn around one of the worst units in the NFL a season ago.
The Texans are likely in for a rough season in 2021, particularly on offense. The Bills should roll through Houston in their week 4 matchup.