The Buffalo Bills take on the Houston Texans at 8:15 p.m., Thursday at NRG Stadium in Houston.

The game will air on Amazon Prime.

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Final: Texans 23, Bills 19

When Josh Allen has the ball last in a tight game, that’s a recipe for success. But that wasn’t the case against Houston. Though the reigning MVP led the Bills across midfield with less than a minute remaining, he was picked off by Calen Bullock with 18 seconds remaining.

Before Buffalo neared the red zone, Danielle Hunter sacked Allen with 1:09 remaining to set up 3rd-and-20 from the Bills’ 37-yard line. On the ensuing play, Will Anderson and Mario Edwards combined to sack Allen, setting up 4th-and-27.

At first, it looked like Houston’s pass rush, which totaled eight sacks (the most Buffalo has allowed since 2023), was going to close out a win. However, Buffalo dialed up a hook-and-ladder play, where Josh Palmer flipped the ball to Khalil Shakir, who rumbled down the sideline for 33 yards and a 44-yard total gain.

From there, Buffalo was tasked with another fourth down, this time just needing a yard from Houston’s 17-yard line with 24 seconds. A Dion Dawkins false start pushed it back five yards, though, and then Allen threw the game-sealing interception.

The Bills now fall to 7-4, while the Texans pick up a much-needed victory to improve to 6-5.

Fourth quarterBills get another needed stop. Can they score?

Though the Texans instantly moved the chains, Buffalo strung together three straight stops to force another punt. The ball is in Josh Allen’s hands with a chance to win the game.

The Texans lead 23-19 with 2:57 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Bills have 1st-and-10 from their 18-yard line.

Bills get needed stop, cut deficit to 4

After forcing the Texans into a three-and-out, the Bills marched 42 yards down the field before Matt Prater made a 38-yard field goal.

Houston’s pressure has continued getting to Allen, as it’s now up to six sacks — the most Buffalo has surrendered since the New York Jets had five in 2023. The highlight of the drive was Shakir picking up a third-and-long dumpoff using his yard after catch ability to glide 44 yards down the field.

Buffalo needs a stop as soon as possible to stay in this one.

The Texans lead 23-19 with 5:44 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Costly turnover on downs

With 4th-and-1 from Houston’s 23-yard line, the Bills called a run for James Cook, but he was tackled for a two-yard loss, turning the ball over on downs. Buffalo’s drive went nine plays for 40 yards and lasted over five minutes.

If the Texans score any points here, it’ll likely put the game close to out of reach — though you can never count Allen and Co. out.

The Texans lead 23-16 with 10:09 remaining in the fourth quarter. Houston will have 1st-and-10 on its 25-yard line when play resumes.

Third quarterEND THIRD QUARTER: Texans 23, Bills 16

The third quarter ends pretty symbolically with Henry To’oTo’o sacking Allen. The Bills need their offense to get going as soon as possible to avoid their fourth loss of the season.

Shakir fumbles, Texans again settle for 3

After connecting with Kahlil Shakir for a first down, the wide receiver fumbled and the ball was recovered by Houston, putting it just outside the red zone. However, just like after intercepting Allen in the first half, the Texans were forced to settle for a field goal, which extended their lead to seven.

The Texans lead 23-16 with 0:17 remaining in the third quarter.

The teams have traded four punts thus far. Buffalo is now pinned on its own eight-yard line with 5:48 remaining in the quarter.

Injury updates: Bernard returns to sideline with sling, Hariston headed to locker room

Mawell Harriston, referee suffer injuries

One play after referee Adrian Hill had to be carted to the locker room, Bills’ first-round pick Maxwell Hariston suffered an injury, needing assistance on the field. There have been a plethora of injuries across tonight’s game.

Down goes Allen, again

Though the Bills forced a Texans punt, they punted it right back after Danielle Hunter sacked Josh Allen on third down.

Houston has shown why it has one of the best defenses in the NFL, holding Buffalo to 155 total yards, forcing an Allen interception and sacking the reigning MVP three times (Will Anderson has the other two).

The Texans lead 20-16 with 7:29 remaining. Houston will have 1st-and-10 on its 47-yard line when play resumes.

Terrel Bernard injured

Though Christian Benford was cleared to return, Terrel Bernard suffered an apparent injury after the Bills’ offense went three-and-out — capped by another Will Anderson sack.

Buffalo’s training staff is on the field now, checking in on Bernard.

The Texans lead 20-16 with 10:27 remaining. Houston has 2nd-and-16 from its own 25-yard line.

Halftime: Texans 20, Bills 16

After a back-and-forth first half, Houston enters the locker room with a four-point lead. The Bills regained a three-point lead after Ray Davis returned a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown with 1:43 remaining in the half.

However, the Texans responded by marching 75 yards down the field, which was capped by Davis Mills connecting with Jayden Higgins for a five-yard touchdown. In place of the injured CJ Stroud, Mills is 11-of-21 for 122 yards and two touchdowns thus far. His other touchdown was to Christian Kirk.

Josh Allen is an efficient 11-of-15, but he threw an interception and only notched 88 passing yards. Buffalo’s offense has been powered by running back James Cook, who tallied 45 of his 75 rushing yards on a touchdown to kick off the game’s scoring.

Meanwhile, Houston has run for 77 yards. Rookie Woody Marks leads the way with 44 yards on eight carries.

Buffalo will receive the second-half kickoff.

Second quarterMills executes perfect two-minute drill

After a shaky start, Mills was 5-of-6 on the drive for 75 yards, connecting with Jayden Higgins from five yards out for a touchdown to cap a perfect two-minute drill.

Nico Collins, Aireontae Ersery and Christian Benford all suffered injuries during the drive. Collins returned to the game.

The Texans lead 20-16 with five seconds remaining in the second quarter.

Ray Davis goes the distance

Buffalo running back Ray Davis plowed 98 yards down the field for a kick-return touchdown. Aside from bouncing off one of his own teammates, Davis went untouched before finding the end zone.

It’s a massive spark for Buffalo, which regained the lead. If they can get a quick stop, the Bills could extend their lead to double digits if they get the ball back before halftime.

The Bills lead 16-13 with 1:43 remaining in the second quarter.

Texans settle for 3

Despite the great field possession after the interception, Houston was forced to settle for a Fairbairn 43-yard field goal, which extended its lead to 13-9.

The Texans’ first two plays combined to go for negative seven yards before Mills connected with Collins for 12 yards to keep the field goal well within Fairbairn’s capabilities.

The Texans lead 13-9 with 1:56 remaining in the second quarter.

Allen picked off

Josh Allen’s pass intended for Elijah Moore was tipped by Azeez Al-Shaair and picked off by Calen Bullock. The defensive back then returned it for a touchdown, but the Texans were called for an illegal block in the back.

Houston will now look to extend its lead with excellent field position.

The Teans lead 10-9 with 3:26 remaining in the second quarter and will have 1st-and-10 from the Buffalo 30.

Houston takes its first lead

Mills connected with a wide-open Christian Kirk in the end zone, connecting for a two-yard touchdown to give the Texans their first lead after Fairbairn made the PAT.

Houston’s drive spanned 12 plays and 77 yards. Besides Kirk’s touchdown, the most influential play was when Marks notched six yards on a run up the middle to keep the drive going on 4th-and-1 from Buffalo’s 26.

The Texans are now up to 81 rushing yards, while Mills is 4-of-13 for 40 yards. Buffalo will receive the second-half kick, so a score here could help build serious momentum heading into the break.

The Texans lead 10-9 with 3:47 remaining in the second quarter.

Prater’s good from 44

After missing a PAT in the first quarter, Matt Prater drilled a 44-yard field goal to give Buffalo a 9-3 lead. On 4th-and-2 from Houston’s 37, Allen connected with Ty Johnson on a wheel route, moving the chains on a 23-yard gain.

However, Will Anderson then notched a sack for the sixth consecutive game, stalling out the Bills’ drive. Buffalo’s drive spanned 13 plays and 70 yards.

Left tackle Dion Dawkins was briefly evaluated for a concussion, but he returned to the game. Anderson beat Dawkins when he sacked Allen.

The Bills lead 9-3 with 9:35 remaining in the second quarter.

First quarterEND FIRST QUARTER: Bills 6, Texans 3

Buffalo commands a 6-3 lead and is driving with possession after picking up a first down. Cook’s touchdown run is the early highlight, while Allen is 6-of-8 passing for 49 yards.

Meanwhile, in place of CJ Stroud, Texans quarterback Davis Mills is a measly 1-of-8 for 10 yards. Houston does already have 54 rushing yards, however.

The Bills will have 2nd-and-4 from their 34-yard line when play resumes.

Allen, Shakir both return

The Bills forced a quick three-and-out, and Shakir was back to return the punt. He let the kick go, and Tommy Townsend delivered a beautiful punt, which was downed on the five-yard line.

Allen is now back on the field with Buffalo’s offense.

The Bills lead 6-3 with 1:38 remaining in the first quarter. Buffalo has 1st-and-10 from its five-yard line.

Allen, Shakir both need medical attention

On 3rd-and-6, Josh Allen was hit from behind by Will Anderson after gaining two yards. As the reigning MVP went down, it appeared he banged his hand on the turf, and Buffalo’s training staff paid him a visit on the field. Allen walked off the field and sat on the bench after the Bills punted.

A play earlier, wide receiver Khalil Shakir suffered an apparent injury after he was tackled for a loss on a screen pass. The wide receiver needed to go into the Bills’ blue medical tent.

The Bills lead 6-3 with 2:40 remaining in the first quarter. Houston will have 1st-and-10 from its 34 when play resumes.

Bills bend but don’t break

Ka’imi Fairbairn drilled a 24-yard field goal, cutting the Texans’ deficit in half. Houston marched 54 yards down the field on 10 plays before settling for 3.

Forty-four of the Texans’ yards on the drive came in the run game, 32 of which were by rookie Woody Marks.

It’s no secret the Bills’ defense can’t stop the run — look no further than their 50.8 Pro Football Focus rush defense grade, the fourth worst in the NFL.

Despite Buffalo’s defensive lapse, it held strong once the Texans got within 10 yards of the end zone.

The Bills lead 6-3 with 4:32 remaining in the first quarter.

James Cook house call

On 3rd-and-1 from Houston’s 45-yard line, the Bills dialed up a James Cook run. Helped by a great block from fullback Reggie Gilliam, the running back exploded up the middle, darting 45 yards untouched into the end zone. Cook is now over 1,000 rushing yards for the season, and that was his ninth total touchdown.

Buffalo’s drive was sparked after Josh Allen picked up a fourth-down conversion after jumping over the offensive and defensive linemen. A few plays later, reserve running back Ty Johnson picked up a third-down conversion off a swing pass.

Houston started the game with the ball, but it was forced to punt after going three-and-out. The Bill couldn’t have drawn up a much better start, but Matt Prater missed the PAT.

The Bills lead 6-0 with 9:11 remaining in the first quarter.

Pregame

Following a thrilling win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Bills travel to Houston to face the Texans on “Thursday Night Football.” Behind Josh Allen’s six total touchdowns, Buffalo bounced back on Sunday from a deflating loss the week before against the Miami Dolphins.

Heading to Houston, Allen will square off against Texans backup quarterback Davis Mills. Houston’s starter, C.J. Stroud, will miss his third straight game, but they enter Thursday with back-to-back wins while Mills has stepped in.

Thursday’s matchup is pivotal for both teams’ playoff outlooks. Buffalo (7-3) currently holds the No. 5 AFC playoff spot, while Houston (5-5) is on the outside looking in, sitting a game behind the Jacksonville Jaguars for the No. 7 seed.

With the New England Patriots riding an eight-game winning streak, Buffalo trails them in the win column by two games for the AFC East lead. Now, beyond the mid-point of the season, every game for the Bills is a must-win if they want to win a sixth-straight division title.

According to Pro Football Focus, the Texans boast the fifth-best defensive grade (78.2) in the NFL, while their offensive grade places 20th (69.6). It’s the opposite of Buffalo’s strength, as its offense ranks fourth (80.9) and its defense sits 22nd (61.1).

Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman is inactive for the second straight game due to disciplinary reasons.

Here’s a look at Buffalo’s full inactive list for tonight’s game.

WR Keon ColemanWR Curtis SamuelTE Dalton KincaidOL Chase LundtDT Phidarian MathisCB Ja’Marcus Ingram

And, here’s Houston’s full inactive list:

QB C.J. StroudS Jalen PitreLB Jamal HillWR Braxton BerriosLB Damone ClarkT Jarrett KingstonG Laken Tomlinson

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