What will the Buffalo Bills try to do to the Texans
As the season goes on, teams start to find their level. On a long enough timeline the survival rate drops to zero. In this feature we look at the top five players on each team according to Pro Football Focus (PFF). As we move further down the line those players begin to repeat week after week. However, the opponents are always new and it is good to look at what they are bringing to the table.
The other thing we can start doing with increased games is look at overall ranks in passing, rushing, pass defense, and rush defense. In the first few weeks of the season those rankings will change wildly. As games begin to build we begin to see trends and teams find their level. One good or bad game won’t change the landscape as much as it would before.
For PFF scores, most players we profile will score 70 or higher. Players that score between 70 and 80 are solid starters. Players that score between 80 and 90 are Pro Bowl type performers. Players that score above 90 are likely the best player at their position. PFF scores aren’t the end all be all of human existence, but they do tend to track well with what we are seeing on the field.
Buffalo Bills Top Five
QB Josh Allen— 81.8
CB Christian Banfield— 79.9
RB James Cook— 77.1
WR Khalil Shakir— 76.0
DE Greg Rousseau— 75.0
When your best player is the quarterback you are in pretty good shape. The entire offense flows through Josh Allen and he has been on top of his game this season so far. The entire offense struggled last week, but it wasn’t a particularly bad game for him. In many ways, their performance against the Ravens was similar to our performance against the Vikings. It was just one of those days where things weren’t working.
Houston Texans Top Five
WR Nico Collins— 91.2
QB C.J. Stroud— 75.3
DE Danielle Hunter— 74,4
WR Stefan Diggs— 74.3
RB Cam Akers— 71.8
Nico Collins has been the best receiver in the league statistically and according to PFF as well. Stroud has not been as explosive as Allen, but he has been about as good if not better than he was for much of last season. The key to the offense will be the running game and Akers has been a nice addition that has been pressed into duty.
What will the Bills offense try to do?
The Bills are 17th in rushing yards in the NFL and 20th in passing yards in the NFL. That seems weird given how successful they have been. Part of it is that they have committed only two turnovers in four games. So, they are taking good care of the football and a much better job than a Josh Allen offense usually does. Yet, they are second in points scored. They are obviously doing things more efficiently. They are taking advantage of short fields and scoring six when they get into the red zone. Look for them to try to get James Cook going to keep the pressure off of Allen.
What will the Bills defense try to do?
The Bills are 30th in rushing yards allowed, but that is on the heels of the Ravens’ beat down on Sunday night. They are sixth in passing yards allowed. The key to the Buffalo defense will to make the Texans one dimensional. That all depends on how healthy Joe Mixon is. If the Texans have to go to Cam Akers again it could be a long day. The Bills are tied for fifth with seven turnovers generated. That makes them a whopping +5 on the season and the entire reason they are now 3-1 on the season. If they force the Texans to be one dimensional they can force Stroud into a key mistake or two.
What will the Texans offense try to do?
The Texans are 19th in rushing yards overall, but that came with more than 200 yards in week one. They have been one of the worst rushing offenses in the NFL the last three weeks. They desperately need Joe Mixon to be healthy for this game. They are third in passing yards in the NFL. Clearly, the Texans move it through the air, but they need to have a balanced attack to keep the pass rushers off of Stroud.
What will the Texans defense try to do?
The Texans are 13th in rushing yards allowed and fourth in passing yards allowed. Clearly, the Texans are one of the better defenses in the NFL and their performance against the Bears and Jaguars is proof of why. When they control the run game as they did against the Bears they can harass the quarterback and force turnovers. If they cannot (as they showed against the Vikings) then it is very tough sledding for the Texans.