Week 1 · 2026
Allen’s Final Arrow Lifts Bills Past Texans’ Late Charge
Buffalo Bills 36 at Houston Texans 31
How the Game Went
Buffalo opened with a 46-yard Bass field goal after Rousseau forced a fumble. Houston answered when David Montgomery scored from 1 yard out. Allen ran for touchdowns of 21 and 1 yards, then hit DJ Moore for a 43-yard score. Stroud’s 12-yard pass to Nico Collins made it 24–21 at halftime. In the fourth, Houston led 31–30 after Fairbairn’s 58-yard field goal. Allen then found Joshua Palmer for a 34-yard touchdown with 1:36 left, giving Buffalo a 36–31 win.
Standout Performers
Allen led the Bills with 334 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, and two rushing scores. His final touchdown pass helped Buffalo win on the road. Kincaid caught five passes for 130 yards, including a 35-yard catch that moved Buffalo past midfield late. Moore added 100 yards and a touchdown. For Houston, Montgomery scored twice on the ground and caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from Stroud. Rousseau made the biggest defensive plays by forcing fumbles at the start and finish.
What It Means
The Bills begin the season 1–0 and next face Detroit. The Texans are 0–1 before meeting Cincinnati. Houston controlled the ball for 36:17 and fought back several times, showing it can challenge teams all season. Still, Buffalo stayed calm when it trailed late. Allen’s final drive and Rousseau’s game-ending sack showed why teamwork matters. Big plays from the offense created the lead, while the defense protected it when Houston reached the Buffalo 9.