TEXANS BEAT REPORTER:
After analzying the position-by-position competition between the Texans and Bills, I couldn't give an advantage to the Bills even though they've won two consecutive games. If the Bills win, I imagine it'll be because they're playing at home, and the Texans have committed multiple turnovers.
I gave Gary Kubiak and his staff the advantage over Dick Jauron and his staff based on this season. If I did it based on their careers, I'd have to go with Jauron because he's been a head coach for nine years, and he led the Bears to the playoffs. Kubiak hasn't had a winning record.
Usually, Buffalo would get the special teams advantage. Last season, the Bills had the best special teams in the NFL. This season, though, looking at every area of special teams, the Texans are better.
As bad as the Texans' running game has been, the Bills have the worst run defense in the league. The Bills have forced a lot of interceptions, but Matt Schaub has been tremendous on the road.
The Bills run the ball well, but in their last four games, the Texans have played outstanding run defense.
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Texans' pass offense vs. Bills' pass defense
Texans quarterback Matt Schaub has been magnificent since the first game of the season, especially on the road. Schaub leads the NFL with 2,074 yards and 16 touchdowns. He averages 373 yards a game on the road, including 10 touchdown passes and two interceptions. Dating back to Dec. 1 of last season, Schaub averages a league-best 305 yards a game. This season the Texans average 364.7 yards to rank 10th in the league. They rank third in passing with 285.6 yards.
The Bills are 24th in defense (362.9 yards), including 10th against the pass (190.4). One reason they rank so high against the pass is because they're last against the run. What the Bills have done well is intercept passes - nine in their last two games. Rookie free safety Jairus Byrd has five interceptions. He'll hang deep and spend time doubling Andre Johnson (38 catches, 634 yards, four touchdowns) and TE Owen Daniels (39/497/5). The Bills get good pressure on the quarterback. They have 16 sacks, including four by right defensive end Aaron Schobel of Columbus. His matchup with left tackle Duane Brown could be pivotal to the outcome of the game. Center Chris Myers will have to provide double-team help on defensive tackle Marcus Stroud, who's off to a good start
ADVANTAGE: HOUSTON
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Texans' run offense vs. Bills' run defense
The Texans' running game is languishing in 30th place with a 79.1-yard average. That's 36 fewer yards a game than last season. Steve Slaton has 341 yards rushing and a 3.1-yard average per carry. Chris Brown (36 for 120) comes off the bench. Ryan Moats (15 carries, 56 yards) played well when he got a chance but hasn't been seen much recently. This is the perfect time for Slaton to have a breakout game, the kind he had regularly last season when, as a rookie, he became one of the best backs in the league.
Buffalo ranks last in run defense (172.4). The Bills allow 5.2 yards a carry. They've given up nine touchdowns rushing, one fewer than the Texans, who have three touchdowns on the ground. If assistant head coach/offense Alex Gibbs, who controls the running game, believes the Bills are susceptible to the outside, you'll see the Texans running some toss sweeps to Slaton. If not, Gibbs will have a game plan that includes running between the tackles, where the Texans have been their weakest. The bottom line is that if Slaton and the Texans don't have a big running game against the Bills, they may be unable to run on anybody.
ADVANTAGE: HOUSTON
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Texans' pass defense vs. Bills' pass offense
The Texans are 21st in defense (344 yards a game), including 18th (228.4) against the pass. The Bills are 27th (273.4) in offense, including 28th (161.6) in passing. The Bills gave up their no-huddle offense because it wasn't working. With Trent Edwards out with a concussion, Ryan Fitzpatrick has replaced him. Fitzpatrick won his first start with the Bills against the Panthers. Wide receiver Lee Evans (21 catches for 302 yards, three touchdowns) is one of the league's best. He killed the Texans the last time they played with two 83-yard touchdown receptions and 265 yards overall. Terrell Owens (18/242/1) is off to a slow start but has handled it well. They don't throw much to the tight end, but the running backs, Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch have combined for 34 catches.
After watching the way San Francisco tight end Vernon Davis embarrassed the Texans with three second-half touchdowns down the middle, the Bills might want to involve tight ends Derek Fine and Shawn Nelson in the game plan. The Bills have allowed 21 sacks, so the Texans should be able to get some pressure on Fitzpatrick. Cornerbacks Dunta Robinson, Glover Quin and Jacques Reeves must cover well. Free safety Eugene Wilson will provide double coverage by switching from Evans to Owens. Watch the Bills try to get the ball deep to Evans like they did the last time these two teams played.
ADVANTAGE: HOUSTON
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Texans' run defense vs. Bills' run offense
In their last four games, the Texans have surrendered 184 yards rushing. No team has been better during that four-game span. They've gone from allowing 205 yards and ranking 32nd after three games to 115.6 after seven, ranking 21st. The Bills rank 15th (111.9) rushing, and they average 3.9 yards a carry. The improved run defense starts up front with the linemen. Mario Wiliams is playing the run better than ever. The tackles, led by Shaun Cody, Jeff Zgonina and Amobi Okoye, are shooting the gaps or they're tying up blockers for the linebackers. DeMeco Ryans and Brian Cushing lead the team in tackles.
Cornerbacks Dunta Robinson and Glover Quin also play the run well. Defensive coordinator Frank Bush will blitz the run as well as the pass. The Bills have an effective one-two punch in Fred Jackson (417 yards) and Marshawn Lynch (174) to help take the pressure off quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. Lynch is off to a slow start after being suspended early in the season. He averages 2.9 yards a carry to Jackson's 4.0. The Bills have only one rushing touchdown. The Texans have surrendered 10 touchdowns rushing.
ADVANTAGE: HOUSTON
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Texans' special teams vs. Bills' special teams
This game features two of the best special teams in the NFL. Joe Marciano and Bobby April have been among the league's best special teams coaches for years. The Texans rank first in kickoff coverage, allowing 19.4 yards. They rank third in punt coverage, allowing 4.1 yards. The Texans are 11th (24.1 yards) in kickoff returns and tied for eighth (10.4) in punt returns. Kris Brown, whose 50-yard field goal won the San Francisco game, is 6-of-9, but two of them were blocked. Punter Matt Turk has a 41-yard average and a 37.4 net. He has 13 inside the 20 and four touchbacks. He was excellent against the 49ers with four inside the 20.
The Bills rank 18th (23 yards) in kickoff coverage and fourth (4.4) in punt coverage. They are 18th (22.8) in kickoff returns and 19th (7.8) in punt returns. Roscoe Parrish is an outstanding return man who hasn't gotten untracked this season. Rian Lindell is one of the best kickers in the league, especially considering the wind at his home stadium. He's 12-of-14 on field goals. Brian Moorman is a terrific punter. He has a 46.5-yard gross and a 41.1 net. He has 11 inside the 20 and six touchbacks.
ADVANTAGE: HOUSTON
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Texans' coaching vs. Bills' coaching
Gary Kubiak is 26-29 and edging closer to a .500 record in his fourth season. The Texans have won two consecutive games. Kubiak and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan have done a good job of adapting to not having a consistently productive running game. They've involved running back Steve Slaton into the passing game. They're still committed to the running game because it means so much to the passing game. Kubiak and Shanahan realize the passing game is the strength of the offense, so they've become a pass-first team. Kubiak has done a good job of keeping the players from getting too high after victories or too low after defeats. He's very committed and organized. He places a lot of faith in his assistants. He also listens to players when they have a suggestion.
Like Kubiak, the Bills' Dick Jauron is in his fourth season. A two-game winning streak may have saved his job, at least through the season. The fans and media were howling for his scalp. Owner Ralph Wilson wasn't happy, either, but the Bills have rallied for victories over the Jets and Panthers by forcing nine turnovers. Jauron, a former defensive coordinator, was the head coach at Chicago for five years and took the Bears to the playoffs. He's a true gentleman, a players' coach who doesn't get too high or low, no matter how dire the circumstances are.
ADVANTAGE: HOUSTON
After analzying the position-by-position competition between the Texans and Bills, I couldn't give an advantage to the Bills even though they've won two consecutive games. If the Bills win, I imagine it'll be because they're playing at home, and the Texans have committed multiple turnovers.
I gave Gary Kubiak and his staff the advantage over Dick Jauron and his staff based on this season. If I did it based on their careers, I'd have to go with Jauron because he's been a head coach for nine years, and he led the Bears to the playoffs. Kubiak hasn't had a winning record.
Usually, Buffalo would get the special teams advantage. Last season, the Bills had the best special teams in the NFL. This season, though, looking at every area of special teams, the Texans are better.
As bad as the Texans' running game has been, the Bills have the worst run defense in the league. The Bills have forced a lot of interceptions, but Matt Schaub has been tremendous on the road.
The Bills run the ball well, but in their last four games, the Texans have played outstanding run defense.
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Texans' pass offense vs. Bills' pass defense
Texans quarterback Matt Schaub has been magnificent since the first game of the season, especially on the road. Schaub leads the NFL with 2,074 yards and 16 touchdowns. He averages 373 yards a game on the road, including 10 touchdown passes and two interceptions. Dating back to Dec. 1 of last season, Schaub averages a league-best 305 yards a game. This season the Texans average 364.7 yards to rank 10th in the league. They rank third in passing with 285.6 yards.
The Bills are 24th in defense (362.9 yards), including 10th against the pass (190.4). One reason they rank so high against the pass is because they're last against the run. What the Bills have done well is intercept passes - nine in their last two games. Rookie free safety Jairus Byrd has five interceptions. He'll hang deep and spend time doubling Andre Johnson (38 catches, 634 yards, four touchdowns) and TE Owen Daniels (39/497/5). The Bills get good pressure on the quarterback. They have 16 sacks, including four by right defensive end Aaron Schobel of Columbus. His matchup with left tackle Duane Brown could be pivotal to the outcome of the game. Center Chris Myers will have to provide double-team help on defensive tackle Marcus Stroud, who's off to a good start
ADVANTAGE: HOUSTON
? ? ?
Texans' run offense vs. Bills' run defense
The Texans' running game is languishing in 30th place with a 79.1-yard average. That's 36 fewer yards a game than last season. Steve Slaton has 341 yards rushing and a 3.1-yard average per carry. Chris Brown (36 for 120) comes off the bench. Ryan Moats (15 carries, 56 yards) played well when he got a chance but hasn't been seen much recently. This is the perfect time for Slaton to have a breakout game, the kind he had regularly last season when, as a rookie, he became one of the best backs in the league.
Buffalo ranks last in run defense (172.4). The Bills allow 5.2 yards a carry. They've given up nine touchdowns rushing, one fewer than the Texans, who have three touchdowns on the ground. If assistant head coach/offense Alex Gibbs, who controls the running game, believes the Bills are susceptible to the outside, you'll see the Texans running some toss sweeps to Slaton. If not, Gibbs will have a game plan that includes running between the tackles, where the Texans have been their weakest. The bottom line is that if Slaton and the Texans don't have a big running game against the Bills, they may be unable to run on anybody.
ADVANTAGE: HOUSTON
? ? ?
Texans' pass defense vs. Bills' pass offense
The Texans are 21st in defense (344 yards a game), including 18th (228.4) against the pass. The Bills are 27th (273.4) in offense, including 28th (161.6) in passing. The Bills gave up their no-huddle offense because it wasn't working. With Trent Edwards out with a concussion, Ryan Fitzpatrick has replaced him. Fitzpatrick won his first start with the Bills against the Panthers. Wide receiver Lee Evans (21 catches for 302 yards, three touchdowns) is one of the league's best. He killed the Texans the last time they played with two 83-yard touchdown receptions and 265 yards overall. Terrell Owens (18/242/1) is off to a slow start but has handled it well. They don't throw much to the tight end, but the running backs, Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch have combined for 34 catches.
After watching the way San Francisco tight end Vernon Davis embarrassed the Texans with three second-half touchdowns down the middle, the Bills might want to involve tight ends Derek Fine and Shawn Nelson in the game plan. The Bills have allowed 21 sacks, so the Texans should be able to get some pressure on Fitzpatrick. Cornerbacks Dunta Robinson, Glover Quin and Jacques Reeves must cover well. Free safety Eugene Wilson will provide double coverage by switching from Evans to Owens. Watch the Bills try to get the ball deep to Evans like they did the last time these two teams played.
ADVANTAGE: HOUSTON
? ? ?
Texans' run defense vs. Bills' run offense
In their last four games, the Texans have surrendered 184 yards rushing. No team has been better during that four-game span. They've gone from allowing 205 yards and ranking 32nd after three games to 115.6 after seven, ranking 21st. The Bills rank 15th (111.9) rushing, and they average 3.9 yards a carry. The improved run defense starts up front with the linemen. Mario Wiliams is playing the run better than ever. The tackles, led by Shaun Cody, Jeff Zgonina and Amobi Okoye, are shooting the gaps or they're tying up blockers for the linebackers. DeMeco Ryans and Brian Cushing lead the team in tackles.
Cornerbacks Dunta Robinson and Glover Quin also play the run well. Defensive coordinator Frank Bush will blitz the run as well as the pass. The Bills have an effective one-two punch in Fred Jackson (417 yards) and Marshawn Lynch (174) to help take the pressure off quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. Lynch is off to a slow start after being suspended early in the season. He averages 2.9 yards a carry to Jackson's 4.0. The Bills have only one rushing touchdown. The Texans have surrendered 10 touchdowns rushing.
ADVANTAGE: HOUSTON
? ? ?
Texans' special teams vs. Bills' special teams
This game features two of the best special teams in the NFL. Joe Marciano and Bobby April have been among the league's best special teams coaches for years. The Texans rank first in kickoff coverage, allowing 19.4 yards. They rank third in punt coverage, allowing 4.1 yards. The Texans are 11th (24.1 yards) in kickoff returns and tied for eighth (10.4) in punt returns. Kris Brown, whose 50-yard field goal won the San Francisco game, is 6-of-9, but two of them were blocked. Punter Matt Turk has a 41-yard average and a 37.4 net. He has 13 inside the 20 and four touchbacks. He was excellent against the 49ers with four inside the 20.
The Bills rank 18th (23 yards) in kickoff coverage and fourth (4.4) in punt coverage. They are 18th (22.8) in kickoff returns and 19th (7.8) in punt returns. Roscoe Parrish is an outstanding return man who hasn't gotten untracked this season. Rian Lindell is one of the best kickers in the league, especially considering the wind at his home stadium. He's 12-of-14 on field goals. Brian Moorman is a terrific punter. He has a 46.5-yard gross and a 41.1 net. He has 11 inside the 20 and six touchbacks.
ADVANTAGE: HOUSTON
? ? ?
Texans' coaching vs. Bills' coaching
Gary Kubiak is 26-29 and edging closer to a .500 record in his fourth season. The Texans have won two consecutive games. Kubiak and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan have done a good job of adapting to not having a consistently productive running game. They've involved running back Steve Slaton into the passing game. They're still committed to the running game because it means so much to the passing game. Kubiak and Shanahan realize the passing game is the strength of the offense, so they've become a pass-first team. Kubiak has done a good job of keeping the players from getting too high after victories or too low after defeats. He's very committed and organized. He places a lot of faith in his assistants. He also listens to players when they have a suggestion.
Like Kubiak, the Bills' Dick Jauron is in his fourth season. A two-game winning streak may have saved his job, at least through the season. The fans and media were howling for his scalp. Owner Ralph Wilson wasn't happy, either, but the Bills have rallied for victories over the Jets and Panthers by forcing nine turnovers. Jauron, a former defensive coordinator, was the head coach at Chicago for five years and took the Bears to the playoffs. He's a true gentleman, a players' coach who doesn't get too high or low, no matter how dire the circumstances are.
ADVANTAGE: HOUSTON
