Some Week 1 Discussion: How Good is Houston's Defense?

[Sierra Foothills]

17 hours ago, Fan in Chicago said:

This is an important year for Stroud. He regressed big time last season and I am sure Houston is wondering which QB is he going to be - the one who showed much promise in his rookie season or the one from last year. Looking at his skittishness last year, I tend to think he is average at best, more likely to be lower tier. 

If we score 24+, we should win. 

Or what he said 

 

Edited August 7 by Sierra Foothills

[machine gun kelly]

I know they worked on their offensive line in the off season, but for now, they were atrocious last year.  We’ll see as we will have an O Line fresh and ready to go.  Allen will now have a better compliment of weapons, I hope.  I think we have a fair chance.  Just because we lost several years ago has no bearing on this team.

[Sammy Watkins' Rib]

Texans are really a good team. This game worries me quite a bit because of their defense. Brady hasn't had answers for that defense two straight seasons now. Quietly, the Texans have won a playoff game each of the last three seasons advancing to the round of 8. They held the Rams offense to a season low 14 points in week 1. They got off to a 0-3 start. By week 5 they climbed back to 2-3 and were only giving up 12.2 points per game. If the Bills gave up 12.2 points per game, you would have to assume they would be 5-0 with a point differential close to +100 already. 

[Sammy Watkins' Rib]

On 8/6/2026 at 7:54 AM, Jauronimo said:

 

 

Allen probably should not have finished either of the last two matchups with the beating he has taken.  The only thing I want out of week 1 is for Josh to get rid of the ball on time and not take any big hits.  

 

This is what worries me the most about this Texans game. Everyone wants to see our passing game expanded with Moore and healthy Kincaid, both of whom we did not have in the match up against the Texans last season. I just want to run the ball 30+ times with the backs and have Josh be a game manager. Drake Maye almost single handedly kept the Texans in the game in the playoffs last year with his turnovers. 

 

Just don't turn the ball over and keep Allen healthy in this one. We don't need him dealing with some sort of injury for the entire season because the offense wanted to attack the league's best defense. Play smart and we can win this one 16-13 or thereabouts. 

[Sammy Watkins' Rib]

On 8/5/2026 at 7:32 AM, BigDingus said:

 

As long as we're not turning the ball over, and as long as our defense is decent, there's no reason we can't punish their mistakes like the Patriots did last year.

 

If Drake Maye & the inept Patriots post-season offense could throw 3 TDs & win 28 - 16 against them, there's no reason Allen & co. couldn't do the same if we're not forcing the issue. Just like you said, take the points when you can, avoid turnovers, and trust the other 2 phases of your team to succeed on their end.

 

I disagree. 

 

Maye was the reason the Texans were even within one score of the lead in the 4th quarter. He had 4 fumbles and one INT. The game Josh McDaniels called was malpractice to his QB. Multiple fumbles looked to be the result of Maye holding onto the ball far too long for something to develop downfield. The Texans scored 10 of their 16 points directly off of Drake Maye turnovers. 

[Rousseauisnoschmo]

On 8/4/2026 at 12:49 PM, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

to me, playing it smart here is ball control and short passing game. We can’t afford to hold the ball or get into long yardage situations. And there is nothing wrong with punting in a game like this. 

Let it go Sean. Time to move on. Youll likely get another head coaching gig next year.

[Charles Romes]

On 8/4/2026 at 4:00 PM, frostbitmic said:

Playing them week #1 instead of when they're in midseason form is a bonus. 

 

IMO, the Texans will play an Offense that won't be driving with a foot on the brake, like I believe was the case the last couple of years. I think McD made sure the Offense slowed down to keep his Defense off the field as much as possible. I think this Offense will be opened up this season and they'll be scary good.

that’s an excellent point. McD always needed to slow the game down so his old injury prone D would have less exposure. 

[Shranger98]

On 8/4/2026 at 12:44 PM, Einstein said:

I won't make comparisons to teams from other years, but they are extremely good. And well coached.

Josh Allen would go undefeated if we had the Texans defense.

Funny, I was kind of thinking the same thing. If the Buffalo offense and the Houston defense were one team, they are Superbowl champions right out of the gate. Assuming there are no injuries and such.