Texans (1-2) at Bills (2-1)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Oct. 3, Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, New York
TV: CBS
Tipico Sportsbook wire: Bills by 16
Texans’ keys to victory: In QB David Mills’ first career NFL start, the Texans failed to get the run game going. RB Mark Ingram was Houston’s leading rusher with 21 yards, while RB Phillip Lindsay had more carries (7) than yards (5). Both of them have to be better, and that would help defensively as well by keeping Bills QB Josh Allen off the field. But Houston also needs to pressure Allen into mistakes. DE Jonathan Greenard can build on his sack, tackle for loss and QB hit in Week 4.
Bills’ keys to victory: The Houston defense doesn’t have the firepower to keep up with Buffalo. In Week 3, Allen spread the ball all over, as RB Zack Moss, WR Emmanuel Sanders and TE Dawson Knox were among players to catch touchdown passes for Buffalo in a rout of Washington. Defensively, whether it’s trusting the front four to get there or throwing extra blitzers at him, the Bills should look into forcing Mills into bad decisions. Rookie Greg Rousseau and second-year pro A.J. Epenesa have led Buffalo’s pass rush this season from the DE spot.
Matchup to watch: Texans WR Brandin Cooks vs. Bills CB Tre’Davious White. Among all the shortcomings the Texans have had this season, Cooks has been reliable, with nine catches last week. White must slow him.
Who wins? Aside from a couple of plays through three games, Buffalo’s defense has been tough for opponents to crack. Its offense should also cruise with the number of weapons the Bills have against a vulnerable team.
Bills, 31-10