Even though the Buffalo Bills have a lot of new in their organization (new head coach and coaching staff, a newer defense, and a new stadium), the NFL decided to have them wait to play in front of Bills Mafia at home until Week 2 on Thursday night. To kick off their season, they will be down in Houston to take on the Texans.
In Week 12 last season, the Bills were in Houston on a short week where after James Cook’s opening 45-yard rushing touchdown, the Bills’ offense looked like a gigantic mess. Sure, the Bills only lost 23-19 so on the surface level, it looked like a close battle. It wasn't though, if you watched it.
It was one of Josh Allen's worst games that he has had with throwing 2 interceptions and being sacked 8 times. The offensive line also looked overwhelmed by Houston's defense, especially when it came to containing Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter.
Bills have chance to correct last season's mistakes vs. Texans
Last year's matchup was one of Buffalo's worst games they had last season, so this is a chance for them to fix their mistakes. The Bills looked a lot different at that time compared to now. Maybe Joe Brady can find a spark for the team if Houston takes a lead in crucial moments.
The last time the Bills won against the Texans down in Houston was in 2006, per Pro Football Reference, where the Bills won 24-21. Out of the 13 matchups that Buffalo and Houston have had, the Bills have only won twice in Houston. They just simply don't have good luck when they play in Houston.
Then in 8 out of the 13 matchups, the final score has come within a touchdown so it shows that these games tend to be close until the end. With this set to be the 14th matchup in history between these teams, Lou Scataglia from NFL Spin Zone has a final projection for Week 1 that shows that the Bills could make some costly mistakes to relive painful history.
Week 1 prediction has Bills losing in close fashion to open up new era
Scataglia predicted each Week 1 matchup and for the Bills vs. Texans, Scataglia has the Texans closing out a close 20-17 win over the Bills.
"The Texans come into this game with one of the best rosters in the league and absolutely no excuses not to go far in the playoffs. Houston has also played quite well at home against Buffalo, as this defense has had Josh Allen in some fits." said Scataglia.
"Allen, while excellent, is also a QB that will put up a 'stinker' about two or three times per season. One of his stinkers in 2026 could absolutely come against the league's best defense, and, overall, the Texans are a flat-out more talented team than the Bills." Scataglia added.
Houston has become one of those teams that the Bills just don't matchup well against. Seeing this kind of prediction shows that even though the score is close, it could be because of turnovers, the Texans playing solid defense again, whatever the reason might be.
Either way, this game could come down to inside the final 2-minute warning with the Bills driving, but they are going to need to be nearly perfect against this Texans team that has their number. We already know that Houston's defense is elite and among one of the best. If C.J. Stroud can just keep the offense stable, the Bills are in for a major rough Week 1.
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