2) Mills gets the call again
With C.J. Stroud ruled out for a third straight game, the Texans again will turn to Davis Mills, who’s had his most playing time since the 2022 season. Mills has put up solid passing numbers (72-of-120 passing, 726 yards, three TDs, INT) in his four games (two starts), running for 44 yards and a TD on 10 carries and leading two divisional victories. But he’s also taken eight sacks and endured some slow stretches for the offense the past two weeks. Nico Collins has been his typically productive self with Mills at QB, as has TE Dalton Schultz. Rookie WR Jayden Higgins has also stepped up with two of his better games this season with Stroud out. The run game has leveled off a bit, with Woody Marks averaging 3.3 yards per carry the past two games, although Nick Chubb has been productive on a per-touch basis. Houston’s offensive line could still have its hands full, even against a depleted Bills defensive line. Mills has only one career appearance against the Bills in his career, and it was a nightmare: 11-of-21 passing, 87 yards, zero TDs and four INTs in a 40-0 loss to Buffalo in 2021. The Texans hope this time around goes better.
3) Buffalo’s defense must raise its game
This will be an interesting test in a short week for the Bills defense. The group defended the pass well Sunday against an explosive Bucs attack but also allowed 202 rush yards, one week after Miami ran for 197 yards against it. Linebackers Matt Milano and Terrel Bernard have struggled, and the shorthanded defensive line hasn’t done enough to stop the bleeding. This game, against a middling Texans run game, could give us a fair barometer of where the Bills’ run defense stands heading into the home stretch. Buffalo also has several defenders listed on the injury report, although unlike their offensive counterparts, none have yet been ruled out. If Christian Benford can slow down Nico Collins and Gregory Rousseau can help heat up Davis Mills with the pass rush, the Bills could be in decent shape. They’ve also relied heavily on forcing takeaways, with eight in the past four games. But the pressure and tackling have been spotty in recent games, and the Bills must not let Mills get settled early. He’s been more mistake-prone in first halves and has played well in leading two fourth-quarter comebacks the past two games.
