Thursday Night Football Preview: Bills vs. Texans

As the Buffalo Bills prepare to face the Houston Texans in Thursday Night Football, both teams find themselves at a crucial juncture in the season. The game kicks off at 8:15 p.m. ET and will be streamed exclusively on Prime Video, with local broadcasts available in the respective markets on ABC and FOX. The Bills, currently standing at 7-3, are looking to solidify their playoff position after a recent victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where quarterback Josh Allen had an impressive six-touchdown performance. According to Syracuse.com, the Bills are heavily favored, carrying a -290 line against the Texans, reflecting their status as a strong contender in the AFC playoff race. Meanwhile, Buffalo trails the New England Patriots in the AFC East, making this matchup even more pivotal for their postseason aspirations.

On the other side, the Texans are coming off two straight wins and have achieved a .500 record at 5-5, marking their first time at even since the start of the season. However, they face significant challenges as starting quarterback C.J. Stroud will miss his third consecutive game due to a concussion. This news was confirmed by the Associated Press, which noted that Stroud had returned to practice but lacked the necessary time to prepare for the game. In his absence, Davis Mills will take the reins as the starting quarterback for the third week in a row, after leading the Texans to victories over the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans. The Texans' head coach, DeMeco Ryans, expressed optimism about Stroud's recovery but acknowledged the tight turnaround before Thursday's game.

Davis Mills, now in his fifth season, has had to step up significantly, and both his prior experience and recent performances will be critical against a potent Bills offense. The Oregonian highlighted that despite the Texans' injury troubles, including the absence of safety Jalen Pitre, their defense has shown resilience. This defense will need to rise to the occasion against Allen and the Bills, who are considered to have one of the NFL's most prolific offensive attacks.

The betting odds indicate the Bills are favored by 4.5 points, and there is an expectation of a high-scoring game, with the over/under set at 44.5 points. CNET emphasizes that, despite the Texans' strong defensive capabilities, they may struggle to keep up with the offensive firepower of Buffalo, especially with Mills leading the charge. The stakes are high for both teams; the Bills are aiming to maintain their playoff momentum, while the Texans hope to continue their upward trajectory against a formidable opponent. This Thursday Night Football matchup is set to be a defining moment for both franchises as they push for playoff contention.