Buffalo Bills (3-4) vs Houston Texans (4-3)
Sunday November 1, 2009 at 1:00 PM (TV: CBS)
Ralph Wilson Stadium - Orchard Park, NY
Texans on SB Nation: Battle Red Blog
After a dismal 1-4 start to the 2009 regular season, the Buffalo Bills have won two consecutive road games, and if they can hold down the fort at home today against the surging Houston Texans - also winners of two straight - the Bills could surprisingly hit their Week 9 bye at .500.
The theory is sound, but the execution will be much more difficult. Houston possesses the No. 10 offense in the entire NFL, including the No. 3-ranked passing attack, led by quarterback Matt Schaub. Where Houston is strong, the Bills are strong, however, as Buffalo enters this game with the No. 10 pass defense in the league, including the hottest DB in the NFL, rookie free safety Jairus Byrd. Where Houston is weak, the Bills are weak, as well - Houston is No. 30 in the NFL in rushing, while the Bills are No. 32 in the league in stopping the run.
Ryan Fitzpatrick will make his second consecutive start after leading the Bills to their last two wins. Buffalo's offense, however - which picked up a paltry 167 yards in last week's 20-9 victory over Carolina - will need to be much more potent on home turf if the Bills are to upset these playoff contenders, particularly if the Bills fancy themselves in the same vein.
This is your open game thread. Keep it clean. Keep links to live streams out of the discussions. GO BILLS!