Texans vs. Bills: 3 Bold Predictions for Wild Card game

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HOUSTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 01: Kenny Stills #12 of the Houston Texans catches a touchdown pass against Jonathan Jones #31 of the New England Patriots during the third quarter in the game at NRG Stadium on December 01, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

2. The Texans will score 14 points in the 1st quarter

For Houston to win, the Texans not only need a big game from DeAndre Hopkins, but they need to have a big first quarter and not get caught up playing from behind.

Remember last year in the Wild Card game, the Texans trailed 14-0 at the conclusion of the first quarter. In 2016 in the Divisional Round, the Texans trailed 14-3 after the first quarter, a game where they lost 34-16.

In ’15 when the Texans lost 30-0 to the Chiefs they trailed 7-0 at the end of the first quarter, so as you can see, there is a pattern for the Texans in recent memory when it comes to trailing early in the playoffs and not winning the game.

All of that said, when the Texans win big games this season they score points in the first quarter, as when the Texans defeated the Patriots this season Houston led 7-3 at the end of the first quarter and 14-3 at halftime.

The Texans won the game over New England (a playoff team), 28-22, so even this season Houston has shown they are capable of scoring points early in the game, though at times this year that hasn’t been the case.

Neither the Bills nor the Texans are great at scoring points early in the first frame, but the Texans might have a chip on their shoulder after their performance last year, and a big start could propel the Texans to the Divisional Round.

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