Despite the fact that the Buffalo Bills had a chance to score the game-winning touchdown late in Thursday night’s primetime game, the Bills were thoroughly dominated by the Houston Texans in Week 12.
Houston’s
front four, led by Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, bullied Buffalo’s offensive line and finished with eight sacks and countless other hurries. Quarterback Josh Allen was under constant pressure, Houston’s defensive backs bottled up Buffalo’s wide receivers, the Texans’ offensive line gave backup quarterback Davis Mills a clean pocket for much of the night, and Houston’s offense was able to do whatever it wanted in scoring 20 first-half points against a depleted Bills defense.
Add it all up and Buffalo (7-4) dropped another disappointing game to an AFC opponent and now sits two games behind the New England Patriots (9-2) in the AFC East.
With six games remaining in the regular season, today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks leads off with observations on the issues that are holding the Bills back and what Buffalo can do to right the ship and fix what has consistently plagued them during their losses this year.
Bills have plenty of issues to address
For the third time in their last four road games, the Bills came up short in a game they needed to win if they wanted to keep pace in the AFC East standings. While the defense rebounded and held the Texans to only three second-half points, there’s clearly something wrong with Buffalo’s offense. Josh Allen seemed frustrated at times that he didn’t have time to complete passes downfield, that his offensive line continued to commit back-breaking penalties, and that he couldn’t dial up the passing game and complete the comeback effort in Houston.
What has happened to this Bills team, and what can the Bills do to remedy this situation? From getting better production on first down and having Dion Dawkins eliminate his recent penchant for false starts — he has committed a league-leading seven while the rest of the offensive line combined has one such penalty — to the potential for a reunion with former offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, exploring that topic and more below.
- The time for answers from the 2025 Bills is now – The Athletic (subscription required)
- Three questions after the Buffalo Bills fall to the Houston Texans – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Carucci Take 2: Bills’ 7-4 record marked by blatant inconsistency – WGRZ
- Sean McDermott reveals the one thing that has to change for the Bills to finally get back on track this season – A to Z Sports
- Bills lineman leads NFL in false start penalties & his latest cost team in loss to Texans – newyorkupstate.com
- OPINION: Bills offense trampled in defeat – WGR 550
- Lance Lysowski: Josh Allen got beaten up, and the Bills’ offense has more problems to solve – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Sean McDermott assesses OC Joe Brady’s job status after Bills’ Week 12 loss to Texans – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
- Allen roughed up, sacked 8 times in frustrating loss – ESPN.com Buffalo Bills blog
- 5 things that stood out in Bills’ dismal Week 12 loss to Texans – Democrat & Chronicle
- Upon Further Review: Bills are an average football team – or worse – on the road – Buffalo News (subscription required)
Bills coaches react to Texans’ loss
Hear from head coach Sean McDermott, offensive coordinator Joe Brady and defensive coordinator Bobby Babich on what the Bills need to do to bounce back from their latest disappointing loss.
Sean McDermott: “Continue To Make Adjustments”
Bobby Babich: “Finding That Consistency”
Joe Brady: “We Have A Resilient Group”
Even more Bills news
We get the latest on the status of injured starters Terrel Bernard and Spencer Brown; plus, how Tyrell Shavers went from a career game vs. Tampa Bay to zero targets vs. Houston and everything you need to know about the premiere of Hallmark’s “Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story,” which debuts tonight.
- Bills’ Terrel Bernard, Spencer Brown uncertain for Week 13; Sean McDermott backs Joe Brady – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Sean McDermott provides injury updates after Week 12 and how the team is moving forward – BuffaloBills.com
- Sean McDermott uncertain about two Bills’ starters lost to injury in latest loss – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
- Tyrell Shavers goes from career game to not targeted for Bills against Texans – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Hallmark star reflects on growing up a Bills fan – WGR 550
- Where to Watch Hallmark’s “Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story” – BuffaloBills.com
- How the Buffalo Bills team, fans and city embraced their new Hallmark holiday rom-com – The Athletic (subscription required)











