Most of the offseason talk around the Houston Texans has been about how elite the defense is. After tons of hype, the defense got the chance to show what it can do on the opening drive of the game Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. The Bills got two first downs, but once they reached a 4th-and-short on the Texans' 36 yardline, they got greedy.
The Bills kept their offense on the field, and Houston was able to stop quarterback Josh Allen for a turnover on downs. It appeared to give the Texans tons of momentum, but they gave it right back on the next drive. Texans QB CJ Stroud was sacked and fumbled on the second play of the ensuing drive, and it likely made people think it was the 2025 playoffs all over again. However, the defense held the Bills to a field goal, and it was time to reset.
The Texans offense hangs with the Bills in a high-scoring first half, 24-21
The Texans marched 76 yards in 12 plays the on their next drive, and it was time to calm down and play football again. However, there was nothing calm about the rest of the first half. Five of the next seven posessions ended in a touchdown.
The Bills were held without points just twice in the first half, so the Texans have to feel good being down just 24-21. But the defense will have to make adjustments in the running game in order to find success. Houston allowed 5.6 yards per carry in the first half, including two rushing touchdowns from Allen. If that continues, the Texans will have a rough time competing in the second half.
On the Texans side, running back David Montgomery has exploded on the scene, scoring two touchdowns in the first half and accounting for 52 of the their 94 rushing yards. It's a great sign for Houston, as its offensive line has been generating movement throughout the game.
Aside from the fumble, Stroud has looked solid, and putting a spy on Allen would do wonders defensively. A penalty in the endzone cost them a touchdown towards the end of the second quarter, so there was some self-inflicted damage as well. It seems like we're in for a shootout in Houston.
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