Texans Sack Josh Allen 8 Times in Gritty 23-19 Win Over Bills/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Houston Texans earned a 23-19 victory over the Buffalo Bills, sacking Josh Allen eight times and forcing three turnovers. Safety Calen Bullock sealed the game with a late interception, lifting the Texans above .500 for the first time this season.
Texans’ Defensive Masterclass + Quick Looks
- Texans defense tallied 8 sacks on Bills QB Josh Allen.
- Calen Bullock forced 3 turnovers, including a game-sealing interception.
- Davis Mills threw 2 touchdowns filling in for injured C.J. Stroud.
- Will Anderson Jr. continued sack streak, tying franchise record.
- James Cook rushed for 116 yards and surpassed 1,000-yard mark.
- Buffalo’s final drive ended in Bullock’s red zone interception.
- Texans move to 6-5, while Bills fall to 7-4.
- Houston wins third straight game with strong defensive play.
Texans Sack Josh Allen 8 Times in Gritty 23-19 Win Over Bills
Deep Look
In a defensive showcase that overwhelmed Buffalo’s offensive line, the Houston Texans earned a hard-fought 23-19 win over the Bills on Thursday night. The victory was powered by relentless pass rush pressure and a standout performance by rookie safety Calen Bullock, who played a central role in all three of Houston’s forced turnovers.
The Texans’ defensive front smothered quarterback Josh Allen, bringing him down eight times — the highest sack total Allen has ever allowed in a game. Houston also hit him four additional times, keeping the pressure high throughout the contest. Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter combined for 4.5 of the eight sacks, with Anderson extending his sack streak to six games, tying a single-season franchise record set by Mario Williams.
Bullock was the star of the night, intercepting Allen twice and forcing a fumble. His second pick came with just 24 seconds left in the game, ending a desperate late-game drive by the Bills, who had gained 44 yards on a wild lateral play minutes earlier.
“Our d-line was getting to him and made him make that bad decision,” Bullock said. “He threw the ball right to me.”
Despite their efforts, the Bills failed to mount a comeback. A false-start penalty and back-to-back sacks left Buffalo in a fourth-and-27 hole. They managed to keep the drive alive with a miracle play that ended in a lateral to Khalil Shakir, but after advancing inside the 10-yard line, Allen’s errant pass landed in Bullock’s hands, sealing the win for Houston.
Mills Efficient in Relief
With rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud sidelined due to a concussion, Davis Mills stepped up and managed the game efficiently. He threw for 153 yards and two touchdowns, helping guide the Texans to their third straight win and a 6-5 record — their first time above .500 this season.
Mills’ first touchdown came on a short pass to Christian Kirk in the second quarter. He added another before halftime with an 8-yard scoring strike to Jayden Higgins, capping a 33-yard catch-and-run by Kirk that moved Houston into the red zone.
Defensive Statement from Houston
Houston’s defensive statement was clear: they could dominate a playoff-contending team. The Texans created turnovers at key moments, stalling multiple Bills drives, including a forced fumble in the third quarter by Bullock that Jaylen Reed recovered at the Buffalo 22-yard line. That turnover led to a field goal, extending the Texans’ lead to 23-16.
Josh Allen, who threw six touchdowns in a win over Tampa Bay the previous week, was held without a touchdown pass. He finished the night with 253 yards but failed to find rhythm under constant pressure.
Coach DeMeco Ryans praised his team’s composure. “They made a play on us, but the thing about our guys is we don’t waver,” he said. “We knew what we were defending.”
Cook Shines, But Bills Fall Short
Despite the loss, James Cook was a bright spot for Buffalo. He rushed for 116 yards, including a 45-yard touchdown in the first quarter. The score gave him his third consecutive 1,000-yard rushing season, joining Thurman Thomas and O.J. Simpson as the only Bills backs to achieve that milestone.
Buffalo also scored on special teams with Ray Davis returning a kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown — the Bills’ first return score since 2023. But those big plays weren’t enough to overcome the Texans’ relentless defense.
Game Notes
- Josh Palmer’s 44-yard gain on Buffalo’s final drive gave the team a fleeting hope before Bullock’s second interception ended it.
- Matt Prater made two field goals for Buffalo but missed an extra point after Cook’s touchdown run.
- Ka’imi Fairbairn was perfect on three field goal attempts, providing critical points for Houston.
- Houston’s defense has recorded 20 sacks over the last three games.
Injuries
- Bills: Linebacker Terrel Bernard exited with an elbow injury. Cornerback Maxwell Hairston was evaluated for a concussion.
- Texans: Cornerback Ajani Carter left in the fourth quarter with a hamstring injury.
Up Next
- Bills: Travel to face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Nov. 30.
- Texans: Head to Indianapolis to play the Colts on Nov. 30.
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