Buffalo Rumblings - Texans 21, Bills 9: Buffalo Squanders Opportunity For Major UpsetBuffalo Bills news, notes, discussions, opinions and analysis. 24/7/365 since 4/7/2007.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48063/buffalorumblings_fave.png2012-11-04T16:07:33-05:00http://www.buffalorumblings.com/rss/stream/33583472012-11-04T16:07:33-05:002012-11-04T16:07:33-05:00Texans drop Bills, 21-9
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<figcaption>Thomas B. Shea</figcaption>
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<p>The Buffalo Bills didn't get enough from either their offense or their defense in a 21-9 road loss to the Houston Texans.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> struggled through yet another poor second-half performance against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.battleredblog.com/">Houston Texans</a>, squandering a meager 7-6 halftime deficit and a good deal of momentum and watching the Texans run away with an easy win, 21-9.</p>
<p>At times, Buffalo managed to move the ball effectively against Houston's excellent defense, but they were never able to end a drive in the end zone, which killed their chances to play a competitive game for four quarters. <span>Rian Lindell</span> missed his first of four field goal attempts, players dropped <span>Ryan Fitzpatrick</span> passes on third down on multiple occasions, running backs <span>Fred Jackson</span> and <span>C.J. Spiller</span> combined for only 21 touches, and plays were not made in critical situations. When Fitzpatrick fumbled on a late fourth-quarter scramble, any faint hope that the Bills had of pulling off an upset were completely eradicated.</p>
<p>The involvement of the running backs - Spiller in particular, who managed to gain 102 yards on his criminally low touch count of 11 - is certain to be a hot-button topic this week. Buffalo clearly tried to replicate the success out of five-wide sets that the <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Green Bay Packers</a> had against Houston earlier this season, and that took Buffalo's two best offensive players largely out of the equation. It's small wonder that Buffalo struggled to put points on the board in Houston.</p>
<p>The Bills' inability to finish drives with touchdowns undid a strong (for them) effort from an embattled Bills defense. Unlike a Week 7 loss to Tennessee, when the defense was the main culprit for a galling loss, Buffalo got enough from the unit to win the game had the offense played better. Even still, it was not a particularly stellar effort from the defense; <span>Matt Schaub</span> completed 19-of-27 passes for 268 yards and two touchdowns, <span>Arian Foster</span> added a touchdown and 111 rushing yards on 24 carries, and the Texans controlled the clock with ease in the second half - especially the fourth quarter.</p>
<p>Buffalo did get improved play along the defensive line, particularly from <span>Mario Williams</span>, who recorded a sack, seven tackles and several hurries in his return to Houston. <span>Kyle Moore</span> added a sack and Kyle Williams continually blew up running plays behind the line of scrimmage in the second half, but breakdowns in the secondary - particularly off of play-action and on misdirection - killed the Bills' chances of cutting drives short and giving the offense more opportunities.</p>
<p>We'll have much more on this game in short order. For now, the Bills drop to 3-5 and are looking down the barrel of a road trip to take on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> next Sunday.</p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2012/11/4/3599842/texans-21-bills-9-stalled-drives-kill-buffalo-in-road-lossBrian Galliford2012-11-04T15:32:35-05:002012-11-04T15:32:35-05:00Texans open up 21-9 lead
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.battleredblog.com/">Houston Texans</a> are scoring touchdowns, and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a>' field goals are no longer keeping them in the game.</p>
<p><span>Matt Schaub</span> found backup tight end <span>Garrett Graham</span> on a short touchdown pass on third and goal to extend Houston's lead to 21-9 with just under 12 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. That play capped off an 11-play scoring drive that didn't feature many big plays; instead, it was a methodical march down the field that, prior to the final play of the drive, featured just one third down.</p>
<p>Buffalo's defense has now given up two touchdowns after holding firm for just seven points in the first half. If the Bills' offense can't respond, the flood gates will open up as they have countless times before this Sunday. They may open up anyway, but if the Bills can get something going, they'll make a game of it, at least, over the final 11 minutes.</p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2012/11/4/3599748/texans-21-bills-9-matt-schaub-garrett-grahamBrian Galliford2012-11-04T15:09:14-05:002012-11-04T15:09:14-05:00Third Lindell field goal makes it 14-9 Texans
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> continue to move the football with a solid level of efficiency against a very good <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.battleredblog.com/">Houston Texans</a> defense, but for a fourth time today, a <span>Rian Lindell</span> field goal attempt capped off a stalled drive. His third make (he missed his first of the day) cut Houston's lead to 14-9 mid-way through the third quarter.</p>
<p>Buffalo was moving the ball nicely after a horrid three-and-out to start the half, but <span>Stevie Johnson</span> couldn't corral a short slant on third and two, leading to the field goal try. <span>Scott Chandler</span> had the big play on the drive, hauling in a beautifully thrown <span>Ryan Fitzpatrick</span> pass up the seam for a 27-yard gain to get into Texans territory.</p>
<p>At some point - ideally before the defense buckles and the score gets out of hand - the Bills need to get their running backs more involved. Combined, <span>C.J. Spiller</span> and <span>Fred Jackson</span> have just 18 touches to this point in the game, including just six carries apiece. That's particularly problematic regarding Spiller, who has 39 rushing yards and another 40 through the air. He, especially, needs the football more.</p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2012/11/4/3599658/texans-14-bills-9-rian-lindell-cj-spillerBrian Galliford2012-11-04T14:58:28-05:002012-11-04T14:58:28-05:00Foster puts Texans up 14-6
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<p>Remember all of that momentum that the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> had going into the second half against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.battleredblog.com/">Houston Texans</a>? Well, it's gone. The offense took 20 seconds to go three-and-out, and the Texans promptly responded by driving 43 yards on five plays to go up 14-6 on an <span>Arian Foster</span> touchdown run.</p>
<p>Houston's drive was set up by a lengthy <span>Keshawn Martin</span> punt return that spotted the Texans the ball in Bills territory.</p>
<p>It didn't help that <span>Ryan Fitzpatrick</span> and the offense went five-wide on three straight plays to start the second half. Spreading the field was a clear game plan emphasis today, but the three straight incompletions and punt really dissipated any energy the team might have been building, and put the momentum right back into Houston's hands. Is it really surprising, therefore, that the Texans extended their lead less than three minutes into the second half?</p>
<p>Buffalo gets the ball back with 12:11 left in the third quarter, and it's still a one-score game. Maybe they can come up with a different plan of attack this time around.</p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2012/11/4/3599618/texans-14-bills-6-arian-foster-touchdownBrian Galliford2012-11-04T14:39:33-05:002012-11-04T14:39:33-05:00Texans 7, Bills 6 at halftime: discuss!
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<figcaption>Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The Buffalo Bills trail the Houston Texans 7-6 at halftime. Bills fans discuss the second half live.</p> <p>It has not been pretty at all, but at halftime in Reliant Stadium, the <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Buffalo Bills</a> trail the <a href="https://www.battleredblog.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Texans</a> by a score of just 7-6.</p>
<p>Houston opened up a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter when <span>Matt Schaub</span> found tight end <span>Owen Daniels</span> wide open on a play fake for a 39-yard touchdown. Aside from that one play, Buffalo's defense has bent, but not broken; the Texans have 186 yards of offense at halftime, including 62 on just seven <span>Arian Foster</span> carries, but the Texans only had one other scoring opportunity - a <span>Shayne Graham</span> field goal that was blocked by Buffalo's <span>Alex Carrington</span>.</p>
<p>Had Bills kicker <span>Rian Lindell</span> not missed a 37-yard field goal in the second half, Buffalo may have taken a lead into halftime. The offense has had a tough time getting going against a very good Texans defense, but <span>Ryan Fitzpatrick</span> is 14-of-17 for 144 yards, and <span>C.J. Spiller</span> and the running game hit their stride a bit in the latter half of the second quarter. Buffalo has actually out-gained Houston, with 196 total yards in the half, but have just six points to show for it.</p>
<p>The Bills get the ball first in the second half, and they've got a fighting chance at pulling off a major road upset. This is your open thread for the remainder of the gain. Go Bills!</p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2012/11/4/3599508/texans-7-bills-6-ryan-fitzpatrick-cj-spiller-owen-danielsBrian Galliford2012-11-04T13:43:18-05:002012-11-04T13:43:18-05:00Daniels gives Texans 7-0 lead
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<p>For about ten minutes, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a>' defense didn't look an awful lot like the Buffalo Bills' defense. Then the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.battleredblog.com/">Houston Texans</a> finally got going on offense, and the Bills now trail 7-0 at Reliant Stadium.</p>
<p><span>Owen Daniels</span> hauled in a 39-yard touchdown pass from <span>Matt Schaub</span> for the first score of the game. The play was a beautifully executed play-action pass wherein Daniels ran a wheel route up the right sideline. Buffalo's defenders lost track of the tight end, who could not have been more wide open on the play.</p>
<p>Daniels' touchdown was set up by an 18-yard completion to <span>Kevin Walter</span> on the same play call; Schaub play faked, rolled to his left and threw back across the field to the right on both plays. <span>Arian Foster</span> also had a 14-yard run on the scoring drive for Houston.</p>
<p>We've officially hit the end of the first quarter, with the Bills trying to get going offensively trailing 7-0.</p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2012/11/4/3599298/bills-vs-texans-owen-daniels-matt-schaubBrian Galliford2012-11-04T12:55:03-05:002012-11-04T12:55:03-05:00Bills/Texans: Discuss it live!
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<figcaption>Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Buffalo Bills fans discuss the events of today's game against the Houston Texans live as they unfold.</p> <p align="center"><b><a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Buffalo Bills</a> (3-4) at <a href="https://www.battleredblog.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Texans</a> (6-1)</b><br>Sunday, November 4, 2012 at 1:00 PM<br>Reliant Stadium, Houston, TX</p>
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<b>Bills inactives:</b> QB Tarvaris Jackson (scratch), OT Erik Pears (hip), DE Mark Anderson (knee), LB Kirk Morrison (scratch), CB Terrence McGee (knee), SS Delano Howell (scratch), K John Potter (scratch)</blockquote>
<p align="left">Fresh off of their bye week and a bit healthier across the board, the Buffalo Bills look to rebound from a disappointing pre-bye loss to the Tennessee Titans today by upsetting the best team in the AFC (and arguably the best team in the NFL), the Houston Texans. Any advantage Buffalo may have gained coming off of the bye is nullified by the fact that Houston, too, had last Sunday off.</p>
<p align="left">Buffalo has never lost a game in Reliant Stadium (they're 2-0 there all-time), but the Bills have never played a Texans team this overtly talented and polished in that stadium, either. The Bills are overmatched from a talent perspective playing a team with Super Bowl aspirations. Make no mistake about it, though: Buffalo has enough talent to compete, and even win. Whether or not they will, however, is another matter entirely.</p>
<p align="left">This is your open thread for the first half of today's game. There will be a second-half thread, as well, and you can follow <a href="http://www.buffalorumblings.com/2012/11/3/3594306/bills-vs-texans-nfl-week-9-game-day-news-updates">today's StoryStream</a> for updates, as well. Go Bills!</p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2012/11/4/3597898/bills-vs-texans-nfl-week-9-open-threadBrian Galliford2012-11-04T11:42:18-05:002012-11-04T11:42:18-05:00Week 9 Bills inactives
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<figcaption>US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The Buffalo Bills' inactive list for Week 9 against Houston includes two starters: RT Erik Pears (hip) and DE Mark Anderson (knee).</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Buffalo Bills</a> will be without three lineup regulars when they take on the <a href="https://www.battleredblog.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Texans</a> in a little over an hour, as right tackle <span>Erik Pears</span> (hip), defensive end <span>Mark Anderson</span> (knee) and cornerback <span>Terrence McGee</span> (knee) have all been ruled out due to injury.</p>
<p>Pears did not make the trip to Houston, and will be replaced in the starting lineup by <span>Chris Hairston</span>. That also means that fourth tackle <span>Sam Young</span> will be the primary backup at four positions today (all but center), with undrafted rookie free agent <span>David Snow</span> the only other healthy reserve.</p>
<p>McGee was listed as doubtful with the knee injury that has been bothering him for well over a year now. Bills head coach Chan Gailey told reporters on Friday that McGee would test his knee out this morning before a determination on his availability would be made; clearly, that session didn't go well enough. Not much will change playing-time wise for the team's top three corners, but <span>Leodis McKelvin</span> may see a bit more work than usual as a dime back with McGee out of the lineup.</p>
<p>Anderson will miss his third straight game after a Week 5 injury forced him to have knee surgery. As usual, <span>Chris Kelsay</span> and <span>Kyle Moore</span> will see an uptick in reps with Anderson out of the lineup, and we're likely to get a sprinkling of <span>Shawne Merriman</span> here and there, as well.</p>
<p>Today's healthy scratches include quarterback <span>Tarvaris Jackson</span>, linebacker <span>Kirk Morrison</span>, strong safety <span>Delano Howell</span> and kickoff specialist <span>John Potter</span>.</p>
https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2012/11/4/3597976/bills-vs-texans-inactive-list-erik-pears-terrence-mcgeeBrian Galliford