Week 1 wastes no time delivering an AFC heavyweight matchup, as the Buffalo Bills travel to Houston to take on a Texans defense built to make life miserable for even the league's best offenses, including Josh Allen's. Houston's dangerous unit is led by Will Anderson Jr., whose relentless pass rush will be central to the Texans' hopes of slowing Buffalo down.
However, the Bills have plenty of firepower to test Houston from every angle. James Cook is coming off a rushing-title season, while the arrival of DJ Moore adds another explosive weapon to an offense that already has plenty of ways to stretch a defense. But this is exactly the kind of matchup Houston's defense is designed for. Anderson and Danielle Hunter headline a formidable pass rush,
while Derek Stingley Jr. anchors the secondary.
Two AFC contenders, two elite units — and a Week 1 matchup that could set the tone for the entire season.
Bills at Texans live odds
Opening Lines
- Spread: Bills -1.5
- Moneyline: Bills -115; Texans +100
- Over/Under: 44.5
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Bills at Texans picks against the spread
Adam Kaufman: Bills -1.5
Gimme the Bills. I'd prefer to drink the juice on this short spread, but I'm still willing to lay the number with Buffalo. Houston's defense is tenacious and will challenge Josh Allen, but the former MVP is already very familiar with new head coach Joe Brady and having a true No. 1 wideout in DJ Moore will help the Bills move the chains. When he can't, James Cook will.
Tom Viera: Bills -1.5
These two have met for two straight years, both times in Houston, with the Texans winning each time. However, this time Buffalo wins, with its defensive line pressuring C.J. Stroud and the Texans' weak offensive line.
Richard Morin: Texans +1.5
I like the home underdog play for Week 1. We've seen the Bills get off to a slow start before, so I wouldn't be shocked to see an upset here.
Where to watch Bills at Texans
- Matchup: Texans vs. Bills
- Date: Sept. 13
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Venue: Reliant Stadium
- Location: Houston, Texas
- TV: CBS
NFL Week 1 picks, predictions, odds
- Seahawks vs Patriots
- Rams vs 49ers
- Lions vs Saints
- Bengals vs Buccaneers
- Titans vs Jets
- Colts vs Ravens
- Jaguars vs Browns
- Texans vs Bills
- Steelers vs Falcons
- Panthers vs Bears
- Raiders vs Dolphins
- Vikings vs Packers
- Eagles vs Commanders
- Chargers vs Cardinals
- Giants vs Cowboys
- Chiefs vs Broncos
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Texans vs Bills predictions, picks, odds for NFL Week 1 game
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