Here is the big-picture analysis of the Buffalo Bills’ victory over the Houston Texans:
Boy, are the Houston Texans bad. Does this blowout victory mean much of anything?
Edmunds and Oliver were all over the field for the Bills in a 40-0 victory over the Houston Texans at Highmark Stadium.
Coach Sean McDermott deserves some credit for routinely having his team ready to play.
No doubt, the Bills could have beaten the Texans even if Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs stayed home and played Yahtzee.
Yet once again, McDermott successfully got the entire locker room focused on the task at hand.
How many games have the Bills lost under McDermott against poor teams they clearly should have beaten? None in four-plus years. Yes, they’ve laid some eggs, like in the 2017 home game against New Orleans, the 2017 road game at the Chargers and the 2018 opener at Baltimore (thank you Nathan Peterman for the latter two). But those were big losses to good teams.
McDermott’s teams win the games they’re clearly supposed to win. They take care of business.
Asked if it was hard not looking ahead to Kansas City next week, running back Zack Moss said: ”It wasn’t hard at all, I believe. The way we do things in our building is trying to go 1-0 this week. That’s the biggest thing. We’re not looking forward to the Kansas City game or things like that. We’re trying to focus on our opponent this week and handle our job this week.”
Dawson Knox is the first Bills tight end to catch a touchdown in three consecutive games since Charles Clay in 2016.
It helps when your team leader drinks the Kool-Aid. Josh Allen said this week he didn’t even know the Bills were playing Kansas City next week until a reporter brought it up. Yeah, right. Nobody’s buying that. But it’s exactly what you want your quarterback to say.
How bad are the Texans?
This was one of the most impotent offenses that ever has performed in Highmark Stadium. It's stunning how completely the Texans' franchise has been sabotaged from within.
It was the seventh fewest yards ever allowed by the Bills (109) and tied for the second fewest first downs ever allowed (six). It was the fewest first downs allowed by the Bills in eight years, since a 2013 shutout win over a Miami team quarterbacked by Ryan Tannehill.
Diggs' interaction with fans at Highmark Stadium and fun-loving personality shined through in two clips from Sunday's win over the Texans.
Rookie quarterback Davis Mills was completely over his head. Watching him run the Texans offense was reminiscent of the infamous, 6-3 game between the Bills and Browns in 2009, the nadir of the Dick Jauron regime.
The first quarter of the season already is over. How badly do the Bills need to slay the Kansas City dragon?
It’s a critical game if the Bills want to earn home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, but it’s hardly a must win. The Bills are in good shape at 3-1. Looking at the schedule in July, you had to figure there was a decent chance the Bills would be 3-1 after a quarter of the season. Yes, losing to Pittsburgh was a mild surprise. (Pittsburgh has been decimated by injuries since that opener.) The Miami game was an easy win. But before training camp, losing at Miami in Week 2 seemed like a distinct possibility.
So now the Bills head into a huge two-game stretch, at Kansas City and at Tennessee. It’s important they win one of the two. If they lose both, then their margin of error is small in order to get one of the top two seeds in the AFC for the playoffs. Obviously, a win over the Chiefs would have all of Bills Mafia thinking about the No. 1 seed in the AFC. There’s a long way to go. How much of a threat is New England going to pose for the AFC East title? It’s still too early to say.
Photos: Buffalo Bills shut out the Houston Texans
Into the mist
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Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) runs out on the field for the game against the Houston Texans at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021.
Unstoppable
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Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox leaves Houston Texans cornerback Tavierre Thomas (37) on the ground as he barrels toward the end zone for a touchdown during the first quarter at Highmark Stadium.
Self recovery
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Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills (10) recovers his own fumble during the first quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021.
Interception
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Houston Texans cornerback Lonnie Johnson (1) intercepts a Josh Allen pass during the first quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021.
Defensive pressure
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Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills (10) looks downfield as he is pressured by Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver (91) during the first quarter at Highmark Stadium.
Interception
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Buffalo Bills middle linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (49) picks off a pass intended for Houston Texans wide receiver Anthony Miller (3) during the first quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021.
Turnover
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Buffalo Bills middle linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (49) makes an interception against the Houston Texans during the first quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021.
Stiff-arm
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Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) is knocked out of bounds by Houston Texans linebacker Joe Thomas (48) during the first quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021.
Ground game
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Buffalo Bills running back Devin Singletary (26) looks for a way past Houston Texans defensive lineman Jaleel Johnson (93) and cornerback Tavierre Thomas (37) during the first quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021.
Messy tackling
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Buffalo Bills running back Devin Singletary (26) runs over Houston Texans defensive back Desmond King (25) during the first quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021.
Quarterback pressure
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Buffalo Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes (55) pressures Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills (10) as he passes the ball during the first quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021.
Keeper
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Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) turns away from Houston Texans cornerback Terrance Mitchell (39) as he rushes the ball during the first quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021.
End zone bound
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Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox (88) proves unstoppable as Houston Texans cornerback Tavierre Thomas (37) tries and fails to keep him out of the end zone during the first quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021.
On the board
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Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox (88) scores a touchdown against Houston Texans cornerback Terrance Mitchell (39) during the first quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021.
Secret handshake
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Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) celebrates his touchdown pass to tight end Dawson Knox (88) during the first quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021.
Singletary
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Houston Texans defensive lineman Jaleel Johnson (93) wraps up Buffalo Bills running back Devin Singletary (26) during the first quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021.
Watch now: Bills' Jaquan Johnson talks about his first interception
UpdatedMoss
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Buffalo Bills running back Zack Moss (20) looks for a seam in the Houston Texans defense during the second quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021.
Gashing the D
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Buffalo Bills running back Zack Moss (20) finds a seam in the Texans defense during the second quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021.
Forward motion
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Buffalo Bills running back Zack Moss (20) stretches for extra yards against Texans cornerback Lonnie Johnson, who is blocked by Spencer Brown (79) during the second quarter at Highmark Stadium.
Plus three
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Buffalo Bills kicker Tyler Bass (2) kicks a field goal against the Houston Texans during the second quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021.
Wet fans
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Bills fans are having fun despite the rain during the second quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021.
Watch now: Bills' Micah Hyde talks about confidence in the defense
UpdatedStar power
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Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Star Lotulelei (98) finds Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills (10) in the backfield for a sack during the second quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021.
McKenzie
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Buffalo Bills wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie (19) makes a catch against Houston Texans defensive back Tremon Smith (24) during the second quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021.
Cooking up a win
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Bills fans have plenty to cheer about despite the rain during the second quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021.
Working the sideline
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Buffalo Bills wide receiver Cole Beasley (11) makes a reception on the sideline against Houston Texans defensive back Desmond King (25) during the second quarter.
Another turnover
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Buffalo Bills strong safety Micah Hyde (23) and the Bills defense celebrate a turnover during the second quarter.
Almost there
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Buffalo Bills running back Zack Moss (20) reaches for a pass against Houston Texans cornerback Terrance Mitchell (39) during the second quarter.
Watch now: Bills' Emmanuel Sanders talks about Dawson Knox
UpdatedMicah makes a pick
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Buffalo Bills strong safety Micah Hyde (23) picks off a pass intended for Houston Texans wide receiver Brandin Cooks (13) during the second quarter.
Moving target
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Buffalo Bills defensive end A.J. Epenesa (57) pressures Houston Texans quarterback Davis Mills (10) during the third quarter.
Beasley tough
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Buffalo Bills wide receiver Cole Beasley (11) is hit by Houston Texans cornerback Tavierre Thomas (37) and cornerback Terrance Mitchell (39) during the third quarter.
Advantage Diggs
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Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) makes a catch against Houston Texans defensive back Desmond King (25) during the third quarter.
Hanging on
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Buffalo Bills running back Zack Moss (20) is wrapped up by Houston Texans defensive end DeMarcus Walker (55) during the third quarter.
Watch now: Bills defender Ed Oliver talks about his play
UpdatedSitting duck
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Houston Texans wide receiver Brandin Cooks (13) makes a catch on the ground against Buffalo Bills cornerback Tre'Davious White (27) during the third quarter.
Rushing yards
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Houston Texans strong safety Justin Reid (20) dives after Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) during the third quarter.
Tough yards
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Houston Texans defensive back Desmond King (25) wraps up Buffalo Bills wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (1) after a reception during the third quarter.
Happy place
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Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox (88) is mobbed by fans as he jumps into the stands after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter.
Get ready to celebrate
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Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox (88) points to fans as he scores a touchdown during the fourth quarter.
Hanging on by a jersey
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Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) makes a catch against Houston Texans defensive back Desmond King (25) who grabs his jersey during the fourth quarter.
Coach McDermott
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Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott looks up at the scoreboard during the fourth quarter.
Not quite
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Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) stretches for the end zone pylon as he is knocked out of bounds by Houston Texans strong safety Justin Reid (20) during the fourth quarter.
Sealing a shutout
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Buffalo Bills defensive back Jaquan Johnson (46) intercepts a pass intended for Houston Texans wide receiver Anthony Miller (3) during the fourth quarter.
Toughdown Trubisky
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Buffalo Bills quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (10) rushes for a touchdown against Houston Texans linebacker Garret Wallow (32) during the fourth quarter.
Fumble recovery
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Buffalo Bills outside linebacker A.J. Klein (54) picks up a fumble during the fourth quarter.
TD!
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Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) signals a touchdown during the fourth quarter.
Shutout defense
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Buffalo Bills defensive back Siran Neal (33) tackles Houston Texans wide receiver Chris Conley (18) during the fourth quarter.




