Houston Texans Clean Buffalo’s Clock

BY GREGORY BROWN

The Buffalo Bills faced off against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium in a game that had important playoff implications for both teams. Although the Texans had fought their way back from a 1 – 4 record to even board at 5 – 5, the Bills were heavily favored to burst their bubble.

However, neither the Bills nor the oddsmakers bargained for the ferocious Houston defense and the pain it inflicted upon Josh Allen and Buffalo’s up and down offense. With their almost garish lipstick red uniforms, the Texans had Josh seeing red all game long. And even worse, when the Bills had some of their few chances to do damage, they usually beat themselves with penalties or poor execution.

The ferocity of the Texans defense must have been a revelation to most Bills fans, who really don’t get a chance to see them play, much less play against them. However, statistically they are the league’s number one defense, and they certainly showed the Bills why. The Texans simply manhandled Josh and his overmatched offensive line to the tune of 8 quarterback sacks and near constant pressure that was in his face from the moment he took the center snap. And most of the time, they did it with just a four-man rush.

The O-line had generally been thought to be the strength of this team. However, Houston’s defensive end extraordinaire, Will Anderson, was a one man wrecking crew as he embarrassed poor Spencer Brown, the Bills right tackle. The Bills made Anderson look like the second coming of the great Lawrence Taylor because of the level of mayhem he unleashed.

Left tackle Dion Dawkins didn’t fare much better, as he was similarly abused by both Anderson and their other talented edge rusher, Daniel Hunter. Dawkins, the Bills only other All-Pro besides Josh, looks like he needs to do a stint at Weight Watchers if he wants to regain his previous form, both literally and figuratively.

Looking ahead, the Bills get a bit of reprieve with the extra time off following their Thursday Night Football appearance. Hopefully, it will help them to get some of their injured players healthy, as well as do some self-scouting to figure out how teams have learned to handle Allen and this hot, then cold offensive unit.

The thing that the critical eye can see and the Bills can no longer hide, is that they are nowhere near being a Super Bowl caliber team - on either side of the football. And sadly, they aren’t going to get there this year, even if they do make the playoffs. Right now, the Bills stand at number seven - which is dead last - in the AFC playoff hunt.

While I do expect the Bills to make the playoffs, I don’t expect them to hang around long. The Bills have too many problems to fix and not enough time or able bodies to fix them.

I fully expect that this circumstance will give rise to an increasing level of scrutiny, not only on the players currently on the roster, but also on the front office and coaching staff. That includes GM Brandon Beane and HC Sean McDermott. Bills Mafia has certainly had a love affair with Beane, and for the most part, with McDermott as well. However, that may change, as fans and most especially, owner Terry Pegula, swallow another wasted year of Josh Allen’s prime.

But for those who will be calling for heads to roll at the top, I say this, “be careful of what you wish for.” I remember, as most fans do, the bad old days in Buffalo.

GREGORY BROWN

So far, the nine year reign of Beane and McDermott has been an unmitigated success. So much of the Bills problems on defense have been caused by injuries to key players and underperformance by others. Beane, who was criticized for not bringing in a name player by the trading deadline, hasn’t lost his knack for wheeling and dealing. However, it takes two to tango and Beane simply lacked a dance partner (or cap space) to bust a move.

As for McDermott, his seat may get even hotter than Beane’s. However, the thing I like most about McDermott is that he almost always has the Bills ready to play. I think that speaks to the culture he has helped create in Buffalo. For the most part, players have bought into his philosophy of “trusting the process.” And those who don’t, aren’t here for long.

Do you hear me talkin’ Keon Coleman?