Defense couldn't make enough plays to overcome offensive woes.
by Steve Saslow
Here are our position by position grades:
Quarterback:EJ Manuel was out of sync with Robert Woods on a third down pass on the first series of the game. He widely overthrew Woods on one throw and Watkins on another when he was wide open for a big play after a Houston turnover. Made a nice pass to Watkins for a touchdown and bought time with his legs to find Mike Williams for an 80 yard touchdown pass. His interception to Watt was a great play by the defensive line but a bad pass by EJ. His interception at the end of the game could have had a defensive holding call to keep the drive alive.
Grade D: Just wasn't good enough against a beatable opponent.
C.J. Spiller ran pretty well with 60 yards on 15 carries and 24 yards receiving.
Fred Jackson had 52 yards receiving and added 33 yards on seven carries.
Frank Summers caught a pass for three yards and was used as a blocker a lot.
Grade B+: The two top backs made some plays and were the best unit on offense.
Sammy Watkins dropped two passes in the first quarter including one that would have converted a third down. He made a nice catch on the slant pattern for a touchdown but then dropped another pass in the second half.
Robert Woods was visibly frustrated on one inaccurate slant pass. He was held on the pass that was picked off in the final minutes.
Mike Williams couldn't haul in a long fade pattern by Manuel that just went off his fingertips. Got behind the defense for an 80 yard touchdown catch.
Scott Chandler had two catches for 15 yards and was used to block some.
Grade D: Four dropped passes and not enough good plays.
Eric Wood missed a block on a screen to Spiller.
Cyril Richardson got the start for the injured Chris Williams. He got a good block on a 9 yard run by Jackson in the first quarter but was called for a false start penalty as well.
Seantrel Henderson was beaten on a sack play and struggled covering Watt when he lined up on the right side.
Cordy Glenn was called for a false start.
Erik Pears was able to block J.J. Watt to the ground on one play. Missed a block on a screen pass to Spiller.
Grade D: Couldn't keep Watt off of Manuel.
Mario Williams had a huge hit on Fitzpatrick as he scrambled wide on 3rd and 1 that came up short.
Marcell Dareus had a third quarter sack.
Kyle Williams tipped the first pass of the 2nd half by Fitzpatrick and it was intercepted. He was called for an offsides penalty on a 3rd and 1 play in the third quarter. Got a tackle for a loss in the third quarter forcing Houston to settle for a field goal. He left the game with a knee injury after that play.
Jerry Hughes got pressure inside on Adrian Foster's first run causing him to lose six yards. Got good pressure on Fitz forcing him to throw it away late in the first half. Was called for an offsides penalty.
Grade B+: Allowed nothing on the ground and got good pressure most of the game.
Brandon Spikes forced a fumble by Andre Johnson.
Keith Rivers had six tackles but failed to tap down a receiver who rolled for a first down late in the game.
Nigel Bradham intercepted a tipped pass to start the 2nd half but he was injured on the play.
Preston Brown led the way with nine tackles most of his playing time came when Bradham went out.
Grade B+: Helped hold the Texans to nothing on the ground.
Stephon Gilmore was called for a holding penalty and was late on a third quarter tackle but was solid in coverage.
Leodis McKelvin got the start once again and was beaten by Andre Johnson on the first pass of the game for a first down. He had good coverage of Johnson on a play that forced Fitzpatrick to scramble and come up short of the first down. He was called for an illegal contact penalty when he was about to get beat deep. He made a fantastic interception over the top of the receiver when he pulled it away from him as they went down to the ground. Was called for a defensive holding penalty that negated a Mario Williams sack.
Corey Graham was beaten for a touchdown on a bomb to DeAndre Hopkins just before halftime.
Nickell Robey missed a tackle on a 3rd and long swing pass and allowed the first down in the third quarter.
Aaron Williams had a quiet three tackles in this game.
Duke Williams got the surprise start for Da'Norris Searcy and had four tackles.
Da'Norris Searcy didn't start but did recover a fumble.
Grade C: Gave up some decent plays in the passing game but only one big play.
Colton Schmidt had his worst game as a Bills with two touchbacks and none of his nine punts going inside the 20. He had a 38.8 yard net.
Dan Carpenter hit his only field goal attempt from 31 yards out.
Leodis McKelvin had an 11 yard punt return.
C.J. Spiller returned three kicks for a 27.3 yard average.
Coverage Units allowed a 41 yard kickoff return after the long touchdown. Five punt returns went for just 24 yards for a 4.8 yard average.
Grade C-: Worst game of the year from this unit.
Doug Marrone played conservatively punting on 4th and 4 from the Houston 47. It went for a touchback and a 27 yard net. The Texans went 80 yards for their first touchdown.
Nathaniel Hackett fell in love with the passing game as they threw way too much. The play calling is too conservative and they are playing not to make a mistake. This week they made those mistakes.
Jim Schwartz came in to shore up the run defense and boy has he done that. Allowing a yard and a half a run today was amazing. Hard to lose when you do that.
Grade C: Marrone has a full blown QB problem on his hand.
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