2 weeks ago
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The Buffalo Bills needed Josh Allen to rescue them one more time. Their franchise quarterback delivered.
Allen directed a 96-yard touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter to lift Buffalo to a 36-31 victory over the Houston Texans. He completed the comeback by finding Joshua Palmer for a 34-yard touchdown with 1:36 remaining.
Houston still had an opportunity to answer, but Greg Rousseau forced a C.J. Stroud fumble near the Buffalo goal line to secure the victory. It was an early-season reminder that defeating the Bills requires more than taking a late lead. Opponents must finish the job without giving Allen another meaningful possession.
Allen takes over when Bills need him most
Allen completed 20 of 29 passes for 334 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for two scores, accounting for four of Buffalo’s touchdowns in the win. His final touchdown throw was made possible by a missed opportunity from the Texans.
Aura.@MillerLite | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/fNisQ1cAos
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) September 14, 2026Houston cornerback Kamari Lassiter had a chance to intercept Allen and potentially end the game. When the ball fell incomplete, Buffalo received the opening it needed.
Allen immediately punished the mistake.
The Bills drove almost the length of the field against one of the AFC’s most talented defenses. Palmer finished the possession by creating separation downfield and securing the biggest catch of his Buffalo career.
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Buffalo wins Joe Brady’s debut
The victory also gave Joe Brady a memorable result in his first game as Buffalo’s head coach. Replacing Sean McDermott placed Brady under immediate pressure. Buffalo is built to contend for a championship now, meaning even a first-year head coach will not receive much patience if the Bills fail to meet expectations.
Winning a road game against another potential AFC contender was an ideal opening statement. The Bills were not perfect. Their defense surrendered 31 points, and Houston moved the ball into scoring range on the final possession. Buffalo’s secondary also struggled to consistently limit Stroud and Nico Collins.
Yet the plays that mattered most belonged to the Bills. Allen created the winning touchdown when Buffalo had almost no margin for error. Rousseau then produced the defensive play needed to preserve it.
The AFC playoff race will eventually be decided by games like this. Buffalo already owns a potentially important head-to-head victory over Houston. More importantly, the Bills confirmed that their greatest advantage remains unchanged. When the game reaches its most pressurized moment, Allen gives them a chance that few teams can match.
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