The Houston Texans made a national statement on Thursday night, leaning on the league’s top-ranked defense to stifle Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills in a 23-19 win at NRG Stadium.
Texans Defense Overwhelms Josh Allen as Houston Edges Bills 23-19
Houston’s defense sacked Allen a career-high eight times and forced three turnovers, including two interceptions by rookie safety Calen Bullock, while holding one of the NFL’s most explosive offenses without an offensive touchdown. The Bills’ only trip to the end zone came on a 97-yard punt return by Ray Davis.
The Texans’ front seven dominated from the start, with Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter combining for five of Houston’s eight sacks. Anderson was relentless, racking up 2.5 sacks, five quarterback hits, and a key batted pass on third down in the final minute to seal the win. Bullock was just as impactful on the back end, first intercepting Allen on a tipped pass in the second quarter, then forcing a fumble on Bills receiver Khalil Shakir in the third. His second interception of the night iced the game and capped a defensive masterpiece that reaffirmed Houston’s status as the NFL’s best unit.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen looks for a receiver during second-half action against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Nov 16, 2025, at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park. Mandatory Credit: Tina MacIntyre-Yee/Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesFor Allen and the Bills, it was another frustrating outing in a season of offensive inconsistency. The reigning MVP threw for 262 yards but no touchdowns, turning the ball over twice and getting hit 12 times. Between his first interception and the end of the third quarter, Buffalo gained only 15 total yards on 14 plays — a stretch that epitomized their struggles. The Bills managed one late drive, featuring a wild hook-and-ladder conversion on fourth-and-27, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Houston’s defensive stranglehold.
Texans quarterback Davis Mills didn’t need to do much beyond protect the football, throwing efficiently and extending his team’s win streak to three games. Houston moves to 6-5 and continues to climb into the AFC playoff picture, while Buffalo (7-4) slipped further behind New England in the AFC East. For all of Allen’s heroics last week, this one was about the Texans’ defense — fast, physical, and fearless — imposing its will on one of the game’s most dangerous quarterbacks.
Bengals Still Waiting on Joe Burrow Decision Ahead of Patriots Matchup
The Cincinnati Bengals head into the weekend with their biggest question still unanswered: Will Joe Burrow return on Sunday? Zac Taylor isn’t ready to say.
The Bengals quarterback is officially listed as questionable for their matchup with the red-hot New England Patriots, and Taylor acknowledged Friday that no decision has been made — one must come by Saturday at 4 p.m. ET. Burrow practiced fully all week and is 65 days removed from turf-toe surgery, an aggressive recovery timeline that left open the possibility of a mid-December return. Sunday would arrive slightly ahead of schedule, but not impossibly so.
If Burrow isn’t cleared, Joe Flacco is expected to make his sixth straight start. The veteran has been managing a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder, but his limited practice workload has become part of the routine since Cincinnati traded for him and elevated him to QB1.
Flacco would again try to steady a team that’s lost seven of eight without Burrow and now sits at 3–7, three games behind Pittsburgh in the AFC North — and staring down the toughest stretch of its remaining schedule. The Bengals’ league-worst defense by DVOA won’t get any help from its offense on Sunday, either: suspended receiver Ja’Marr Chase will miss the game.
Burrow’s potential return comes with significant stakes. Cincinnati faces New England — winners of eight straight — before turning around for a Thanksgiving night showdown in Baltimore, the start of a brutal two-games-in-five-days stretch.
Aug 7, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) in the tunnel against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn ImagesSam LaPorta’s Season in Doubt After Back Surgery
The Detroit Lions are bracing for life without one of their most important offensive pieces. Head coach Dan Campbell announced Friday that tight end Sam LaPorta is unlikely to return this season after undergoing back surgery, calling the odds of a comeback “very, very slim.” LaPorta was placed on injured reserve last week and had already been ruled out of Sunday’s matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Campbell emphasized that the long-term outlook is positive following the procedure, but the timing is a significant blow to a Lions offense built around its versatile skill players. LaPorta, a 2023 Pro Bowler, ranks third on the team in receiving yards (489) and has been one of Jared Goff’s most dependable targets on third down and in the red zone. Detroit drafted him 34th overall in 2023, and he quickly became one of the NFL’s best young tight ends.
Without LaPorta, Campbell acknowledged the offense will feel the impact — but insisted the team is prepared to adjust. Brock Wright is expected to take on a larger role, supported by Detroit’s tight end depth. Offensive coordinator John Morton was even more direct about the challenge ahead: “He can do it all,” Morton said this week. “Our other guys — all the tight ends — have got to step up.”
The Lions remain one of the NFC’s most dangerous offenses, but replacing LaPorta’s production, reliability, and versatility is no small task as Detroit pushes toward a postseason run.
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) celebrates his touchdown with Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) and Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) after Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) through him a pass in the end zone during the third quarter of Lions game against the Seattle Seahawks at Ford Field in Detroit, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024.Extra Points
Impressive stuff:The @HoustonTexans defense against the Bills:? 8 sacks? 12 QB hits? 11 TFL? 2 INT? 1 FF? 1 FR#HTownMade pic.twitter.com/bNC5Xhnwli
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