The Buffalo Bills lost a heartbreaker of a game they had no business winning against the Houston Texans in Week 12.
The Bills (7-4) fell 23-19 to the Texans (6-5) on "Thursday Night Football" at NRG Stadium. The contest was all over the place for Buffalo but there was one glaring standout: Houston's defense.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWith that, here are Bills Wire's five takeaways from the Bills' loss to the Texans:
Allen avoids injury scare
HOUSTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 20: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills throws a pass against the Houston Texans during the first quarter at NRG Stadium on November 20, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)In an ugly game, the Bills avoided a mess early. Quarterback Josh Allen was tackled and looked in some serious pain for a moment. Allen was hit from behind and landed on his throwing hand.
In true Allen form, the QB managed to dust himself off and was fine... despite looking in some real pain.
Without Allen, a rough game for Buffalo's offense would have likely been even worse.
So many injuries
HOUSTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 20: Will Anderson Jr. #51 of the Houston Texans sacks Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills during the third quarter at NRG Stadium on November 20, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)Dodging a bullet on Allen was good news but the Bills were beaten up badly against the Texans. Many players went down with injuries. Names to now monitor for Buffalo include:
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLB Terrel Bernard (elbow)
OL Spencer Brown (shoulder)
CB Maxwell Hairston (concussion)
CB Christian Benford (shoulder)
And then some.
Ugly day for offensive line
Nov 20, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (51) sacks Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) in the first half at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn ImagesThe Texans have a top defense this season. Houston entered Thursday with the No. 1 ranked unit in the NFL allowing only 258.1 yards per game.
Their defensive line is a force and Buffalo's offensive line was not up to the task by any means. Texans pass rushers Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson got to know Allen far too well throughout this game.
It was the first time since 2023 that Allen was sacked five times or more. In total, the Texans had eight sacks, the most times Allen has ever been taken down.
Nov 20, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans running back Woody Marks (27) runs against the Buffalo Bills in the first quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn ImagesThe Bills defense was once again filled with miscues. It wasn't penalties, more so, just poor overall play.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBuffalo's problems with tackling remained for much of the game. The Bills did tighten up in the red zone and in the later stages, but for how good Houston's defense is, their offense should not look that good.
Sloppy 'Buffalo' loss
Nov 20, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott looks on in the second quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn ImagesThe Bills' miscues were on offense too. Three more turnovers for a team that really never turned the ball over last season.
Despite all that, the Bills had their chance in the end. A crazy fourth-and-27 conversion had Buffalo looking like they were going to pull this one out despite having no right to win it.
Instead, a loss. It felt like a "Buffalo loss" of yester-year.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThis article originally appeared on Bills Wire: 5 takeaways from the Bills' 23-19 loss to the Houston Texans
AdvertisementAdvertisement