Week 10: Bills vs. Texans

at Sunday, Nov. 16th 1:00pm ET Stats Matchup

The Bills continue their swoon as they have now lost two straight and five of their last seven. They have been awful on the road this year but come home to the friendly confines of Ralph Wilson Stadium for their next two games. It starts with the young Houston Texans coming to town. On paper, this is a good matchup for the Bills and a good chance to lick their wounds. The Texans are feisty though, and have given everyone all they can handle, no reason to think they won't be ready for a fight against the Bills.

FACTS AND FIGURES

Matchup:	Buffalo (4-5) vs. Houston (3-6)
Place:	Ralph Wilson Stadium
Television:	CBS
Announcers:	Don Criqui and Steve Tasker
Spread:	Bills by 7
Series:	Bills 1-0
Last Meeting:	Bills 31-24 in Houston (2002)
Texans Offense:	Rush (12th); Pass (16th); overall (16th)
Texans Def:	Rush (29th); Pass (29th); overall (31st)
Bills Offense:	Rush (30nd); Pass (22nd); overall (28th)
Bills Defense:	Rush (14th); Pass (2nd); overall (3rd)

INJURY UPDATE

The Bills are a healthy team for this late in the year. They got out of Dallas without any serious injuries. Eric Moulds remains at 80% with a groin tear but is back and playing. Ron Edwards remains out with a shoulder injury that will require surgery. OT Jonas Jennings missed the Cowboys game with a hip flexor. Willis McGahee remains inactive with his knee injury although he is on the active roster.

The Texans are also pretty healthy. RBs Domanick Davis and Stacy Mack have knee and chest injuries respectively. Davis should be fine, Mack was inactive last week against Cincinnati. DE Gary Walker also missed the Bengals game with a toe injury. LB Charlie Clemons has been out of action with an ankle injury.


Bills Daily Injury Page

KEY MATCHUPS

QB Drew Bledsoe vs. Texans Defense:
Bledsoe is under a lot of pressure by the media and fans to turn things around. He may have the chance against a weak defense this week. He must read coverages better and make better decisions to get the Bills offense out of their funk.

DTs Sam Adams and Pat Williams vs. RB Domanick Davis:
Davis is the number one offensive weapon that the Texans have. If the Bills front four can shut him down, they should win the game. That can be attainable if Williams and Adams clog up the middle.

RB Travis Henry vs. LBs Jamie Sharper and Jay Foreman:
Sharper leads the Texans in tackles and along with former Bills Jay Foreman, they will be the two that try to contain Henry. Travis has run very well lately and looks for a big game this week as he hears the footprints of McGahee.

CB Nate Clements vs. WR Andre Johnson:
Johnson is the number one weapon in the Texans passing game and Clements will likely lineup against him most of the day. This is a battle that Clements should win and if David Carr gets antsy trying to get the ball to Johnson, Clements may have a chance at an interception or two.

DE Aaron Schobel vs. LT Chester Pitts:
Schobel had a solid effort against Flozell Adams last week. If he duplicates that performance against Pitts, he can have a huge day. He seems due for it.

WR Eric Moulds vs. CB Marcus Coleman:
Moulds is hurting but needs to step up his play anyway. Coleman is a guy, Moulds has done battle with in the past so it should be a good matchup. Moulds needs to win it.

GAME PLAN

When The Bills Have The Ball: The Texans defense may be just what the doctor ordered for the ailing Bills offense. Houston is ranked 29th in both rushing and passing defense so the Bills should be able to have their choice when moving the football. They will need to pick up the blitz which Houston will probably use after seeing Dallas use it so successfully last week. They don't have the personnel to make it work though, and expect the Bills to beat it with short passes.

When The Texans Have The Ball: Houston's offense is middle of the road but have been very effective in recent games running behind Davis. The best way to attack the Bills defense is on the ground and expect the Texans to run it a lot with Davis as they will look to setup the play action pass.

BILLS DAILY PREDICTION

This could be a game that the Bills use their frustrations and sense of urgency as well as the homefield advantage to put it all together and get a blowout win. The problem with that is the Texans have played close games, even won a couple, against better teams than the Bills. We may be looking at another nail biter but this time the offense will do enough to win the game:
Bills 27, Texans 24

Season Prediction Record: (5-4)
Season Record Against The Spread: (6-3)

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