Texans’ protection comes up large in TNF win in opposition to Payments

HOUSTON — The Texans are squarely again within the playoff race after an enormous 23-19 win in opposition to the Buffalo Payments on “Thursday Night time Soccer.”

The Texans’ protection displayed why it is the No. 1-ranked protection in prime time because it held the Payments’ offense to 12 factors. The protection got here in permitting solely 16.4 factors per sport and confirmed why it’s arguably probably the greatest in latest seasons. The unit sacked Payments quarterback Josh Allen eight instances, and when it mattered most, Houston’s protection sealed the win with an interception by security Calen Bullock.

Although the unit gave up a fourth-and-27 on a hook-and-lateral over the past drive to present Houston trustworthy a scare, it did not find yourself costing the crew. Now the Texans are over .500. They’ve a 37% likelihood to make the playoffs, per ESPN Analytics.

Listed here are a very powerful issues to know from Thursday night time for each groups:

Stunning efficiency: Backup Davis Mills threw for 2 touchdowns and led the Texans offense to 23 factors whereas outplaying the MVP on the opposite aspect. Houston’s season regarded shaky when it misplaced quarterback C.J. Stroud in opposition to the Denver Broncos to a concussion and the crew sat at 3-5 general. However Mills stepped in and operated the offense effectively sufficient to enhance his file to 3-0.

Turning level: It was when the Texans scored a landing earlier than the tip of the primary half after Payments working again Ray Davis returned a 97-yard kickoff for a landing. Mills discovered wideout Jayden Higgins for a landing with 5 seconds left to offer an enormous momentum swing, because it allowed Houston to take a 20-16 lead. With how effectively Houston’s protection has performed this season, getting 20 first-half factors was all of the crew wanted to win.

Pattern to observe: The Texans protection allowed the fewest factors per sport (16.3) coming into Week 12, however its sacks have been center of the pack with 25 (14th). However Houston sacked Allen eight instances, a season excessive for the Texans. Now that Houston’s protection is placing up sacks to tag together with its No. 1-ranked scoring output, we might be taking a look at probably the greatest defenses in latest seasons.

Stat to know: One purpose Mills was capable of play effectively was as a result of he was protected. He was pressured on solely 14% of his dropbacks and wasn’t sacked in any respect. There have been performs the place he might scan the entire subject earlier than throwing to his targets. This was the very best the Texans’ offensive line has performed all season when factoring in who they have been enjoying within the Payments and the magnitude of this sport for playoff positioning. — DJ Bien-Aime

Subsequent sport: at Indianapolis Colts (1 p.m. ET, Nov. 30)

The Payments offense wanted a drive. The unit had struggled all through, however with 2:48 left within the sport, the reigning MVP obtained the ball again at his personal 18-yard line.

Then, quarterback Josh Allen was sacked for the seventh and eighth time. However the magic got here on fourth-and-27 as Allen threw the ball to huge receiver Joshua Palmer, who virtually instantly pitched it to huge receiver Khalil Shakir, who then ran up the sideline and picked up a primary down.

In the end, nevertheless, the magic ran out just a few performs later.

For myriad causes, from playcalling to the Texans’ No. 1 protection, the Payments offense went many of the sport with out placing drives collectively. Allen didn’t have a landing for the ninth time in his profession.

And regardless of a valiant final effort, miscues, together with a false begin by left sort out Dion Dawkins on fourth-and-1, meant that lack of end got here up but once more because the Payments fell wanting the tip zone. Buffalo dropped to 7-4, one more sport again of the New England Patriots within the race for the AFC East.

Stat to know: James Prepare dinner III turned the third Payments participant with 1,000 dashing yards in three straight seasons together with his 45-yard landing within the first quarter, becoming a member of O.J. Simpson and Thurman Thomas as the one Payments to take action. The rating was additionally Prepare dinner’s thirty sixth profession landing, breaking a tie with Joe Cribbs and Cookie Gilchrist for the second-most touchdowns for the Payments in a participant’s first 4 NFL seasons. (Thomas is first with 39.)

What to make of the QB efficiency: The large story right here is the sacks, all eight of them. The Texans have been efficient in doing so six of these instances when sending 4 or fewer move rushers, which is essentially the most such sacks Allen has taken in his profession. This struggling offense has been at its greatest when it stays in short-yardage conditions, and the sacks — the mixed results of an absence of open receivers, decision-making by Allen, the offensive line having a tough day and an excellent Texans protection — made them few and much between.

Pattern to observe: Turnover margin. The Payments had an NFL-record streak of 26 straight video games of not dropping the turnover margin finish in Week 5, and it has been trending downward since. Within the six video games since then, Buffalo has received the turnover margin twice. This sport was a chief instance of how turnovers need to be a problem for this crew, together with huge receiver Khalil Shakir’s fumble on the Buffalo 22-yard line. And whereas sure, the offense is popping it over twice as a lot as final yr (eight to 16), the protection has additionally struggled to take the ball away (32 takeaways final yr to 13 by 11 video games this season). — Alaina Getzenberg

Subsequent sport: at Pittsburgh Steelers (4:25 p.m. ET, Nov. 30)