The Texans sacked Josh Allen a career-high eight times, and Calen Bullock forced three turnovers, including an interception in the final seconds, to seal a 23-19 victory over the Buffalo Bills.
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“The defense is playing excellent,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “So credit first and foremost goes to our defensive line for the way they come out, the way those guys are relentlessly rushing the passer and everyone on the back end is playing well and together. When we do that, it’s hard to move the ball against us.”
Their defensive dominance has helped them put together their best winning streak of the season despite losing quarterback CJ Stroud for three games to a concussion. The Texans (6-5) moved above .500 for the first time this season, climbing out of an early hole after opening 0-3.
Will Anderson Jr. had 2 ½ sacks to give him 10 ½ this season, and Danielle Hunter added two to give him 11, making them the fifth teammates in NFL history to each have 10 sacks in a team’s first 11 games.
Bullock, a third-round pick in 2024, had the best game of his career, becoming the second player in team history and the first since Marcus Coleman in 2003 to have two interceptions and force a fumble in a single game.
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Bullock described his work Thursday.
“It was a great performance,” he said with a big smile. “Thank God. I get to go out Thursday night in front of everyone and play a game like that. There’s nothing better than that.”
Ryans was very impressed with Bullock’s play.
“Calen Bullock is the right person for me,” Ryans said. “The way he came out and intercepted the ball twice, forced a fumble to get us into positive territory there. My favorite play is the one that ended. A lot of emotions happened on the sideline that whole drive. For Calen to go down with the interception, that was my favorite play because it meant it was over.”
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Allen threw two interceptions without a touchdown pass to give the Texans 12 interceptions this season and allowed just 10 touchdown passes. Allen had a 67.4 passer rating and the Texans have limited quarterbacks to an average passer rating of 72.2 against them this season, which is the best mark in the NFL since the 2021 Bills.
Houston has had nine straight games with at least one sack and one turnover, which is the longest active streak in the NFL.
What is working?
The Texans continue to lead the NFL in yards allowed (264.3) and points (16.5). They also have a knack for forcing turnovers and their 19 takeaways rank second in the NFL.
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“Guys are just doing their jobs and everyone is in the places they need to be,” Bullock said.
What needs help?
Playing with backup QB Davis Mills, the Texans struggled to move the ball for most of the second half on Thursday. They kicked on four of their five possessions in the second half, adding just one field goal after halftime as they relied on their defense to secure the victory.
Houston was just 2 of 4 on red zone opportunities and converted just 2 of 12 third downs.
Supply
Anderson, the 2023 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, continues to make big plays each week. Thursday was his sixth consecutive game with at least one sack, tying him with Mario Williams for the longest streak in franchise history. Along with his 2 ½ sacks against the Bills, he also had six tackles, two tackles for loss, three quarterback hits and one pass defensed.
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His performance Thursday gives him 28 ½ career sacks, passing Antonio Smith (27 1/2) for fifth most in franchise history.
Stock down
Running back Nick Chubb, who started the team’s first eight games, moved into a reserve role in the final three games and rookie Woody Marks became Houston’s featured running back. He had just six carries for 16 yards Thursday after rushing three times for 17 yards last week.
Injuries
Stroud is likely to play next week after returning to practice this week before being ruled out for Thursday’s game. …S Jalen Pitre could also return for the next game after also missing three games after suffering a concussion on Nov. 2.
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Key number
The Texans had eight sacks and forced three turnovers for the third time in franchise history and the first since last November against the Titans.
Next steps
The Texans visit Indianapolis (8-2) on Nov. 30 in the first of two meetings with the AFC South leaders. After that, they will travel to Kansas City for a Sunday night game on December 7.
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL