Yahoo Analysts Pick Texans to Edge Bills 17-16 in Week 1 Opener
Updated
Updated · Yahoo Sports · Sep 11
Yahoo Analysts Pick Texans to Edge Bills 17-16 in Week 1 Opener
3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · Sep 11
Summary
17-16 is the score Yahoo Sports analysts Matt Harmon and Nate Tice project, with both leaning to Houston in a low-scoring Week 1 home win over Buffalo.
31% is Josh Allen's success rate against the Texans over the past two seasons, with just 140 net passing yards and eight sacks in last year's meeting driving the expectation of another defensive struggle.
DJ Moore is central to Buffalo's counterpunch, giving Allen a perimeter target against Houston's aggressive man coverage as Joe Brady also weighs more 11-personnel and passing-game work for James Cook.
Houston, still reworking its offense, is expected to feature heavy 12 personnel with Dalton Schultz and Marlin Klein, while Kayshon Boutte and Nico Collins test a Bills secondary adjusting to new coordinator Jim Leonhard.
Both analysts frame the opener as an early measuring stick for two AFC playoff hopefuls, with the winner likely the team that integrates its offseason changes faster.