Bills vs. Texans takeaways: Josh Allen overcomes Houston defense in potential AFC championship preview
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Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills kicked off their 2026 campaign with a wild 36-31 road win over the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium in a potential early AFC Championship preview. Entering the Week 1 clash, Allen had lost all four of his previous trips to Houston, including a 2024 outing where he completed a personal-worst 30 percent of his passes and a 2025 matchup in which he suffered eight sacks.
He finally broke that streak in the fourth quarter after Texans cornerback Kamari Lassiter missed a crucial end-zone interception, allowing Allen to punch in the go-ahead score.
Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud was unable to respond on the ensuing drive as Buffalo's front stepped up. Rookie defensive lineman Deone Walker and pass rusher Greg Rousseau both brought down Stroud on the final possession, with Rousseau forcing a fumble that secured the five-point triumph for the Bills.
