Buffalo Bills vs Texans Match Player Stats
The buffalo bills vs texans match player stats from September 13, 2026, tell the story of a high-scoring NFL contest in which the Buffalo Bills defeated the Houston Texans 36-31. Buffalo combined an efficient passing attack, timely rushing touchdowns, and strong pressure on the quarterback to secure the five-point victory. Houston produced more rushing yards and recorded more receptions, but two lost fumbles proved costly in a game where both offenses found ways to score.
The matchup offered several important statistical takeaways. Josh Allen completed 20 of 29 passes for 334 yards and two touchdowns without throwing an interception. C.J. Stroud also threw two touchdown passes without an interception, finishing with 274 passing yards. Dalton Kincaid led Buffalo’s receivers with 130 yards, while Nico Collins paced Houston with 75 receiving yards and a touchdown. Buffalo’s defense also generated three sacks, helping the team protect its lead through a competitive fourth quarter.
This breakdown examines the final score, individual player performances, passing and rushing production, receiving efficiency, defensive contributions, special teams, and the numbers that explain why Buffalo came away with the win. All game statistics below are based on the supplied ESPN box-score data for the September 13, 2026, matchup.
Buffalo Bills vs Texans Match Player Stats: Game Overview
The Bills and Texans entered this contest with different objectives, but both teams demonstrated the ability to move the ball and finish scoring drives. Buffalo’s 36 points were enough to overcome Houston’s balanced offense and late scoring push.
Buffalo Bills News, Scores, Stats, Schedule | NFL.com
Buffalo Bills
Away team
36
Record: 1-0
FINAL
September 13, 2026
36-31
Logos Download | Houston Texans
Houston Texans
Home team
31
Record: 0-1
Buffalo passing yards
334
Houston passing yards
274
Buffalo rushing yards
86
Houston rushing yards
124
Final score by quarter
| Quarter | Buffalo Bills | Houston Texans |
| First quarter | 3 | 7 |
| Second quarter | 21 | 14 |
| Third quarter | 3 | 0 |
| Fourth quarter | 9 | 10 |
| Total | 36 | 31 |
The second quarter was the game’s highest-scoring period. Buffalo scored 21 points, while Houston answered with 14. That seven-point difference helped the Bills establish the advantage they ultimately preserved.
The third quarter was much quieter. Buffalo added a field goal, while Houston failed to score. In a game decided by five points, that scoreless period was significant because it prevented the Texans from immediately reducing the gap.
Houston responded with 10 fourth-quarter points, but Buffalo added nine of its own to maintain control of the final result.
One important distinction is that the quarter-by-quarter scoring identifies when the teams accumulated their points, not every detail of how each scoring drive unfolded. Individual touchdowns, field goals, and drive sequences should be checked against the official play-by-play before assigning specific plays to particular moments.
Complete Player Passing Statistics
Quarterback performance was one of the clearest differences between the two teams. Allen averaged 11.5 yards per attempt, while Stroud averaged 7.2. Both quarterbacks avoided interceptions, but Buffalo gained more yardage from fewer attempts.
Buffalo Bills passing stats
| Player | Comp/Att | Pass Yards | TD | INT | Passer Rating |
| Josh Allen | 20/29 | 334 | 2 | 0 | 130.5 |
Allen’s completion rate was 69.0%, calculated from 20 completions on 29 attempts. He averaged approximately 11.5 yards per attempt and finished with a 130.5 passer rating.
Those numbers point to an efficient performance rather than a quarterback who needed a large volume of short passes to accumulate yardage. Allen completed passes that produced meaningful gains, including a 43-yard touchdown pass to D.J. Moore and a late 34-yard touchdown connection with Joshua Palmer.
His performance also extended beyond the passing game. Allen rushed six times for 23 yards and scored twice on the ground. His 21-yard touchdown run helped Buffalo take the lead in the second quarter, and his one-yard rushing touchdown added another score during the same period.
The combination of passing production and rushing ability created a difficult defensive assignment for Houston. Defenders had to account for Allen as both a passer and a runner, which can complicate coverage decisions near the goal line.
Allen was sacked twice for a loss of 11 yards. Despite that pressure, he did not throw an interception. He also finished with a reported QBR of 77.0, a separate metric from his 130.5 traditional passer rating.
Houston Texans passing stats
| Player | Comp/Att | Pass Yards | TD | INT | Passer Rating |
| C.J. Stroud | 26/38 | 274 | 2 | 0 | 106.7 |
Stroud completed 68.4% of his passes, slightly below Allen’s completion rate. He attempted nine more passes but finished with 60 fewer passing yards.
His two touchdown passes helped Houston remain competitive. One connected with Nico Collins for a 12-yard score, while another went to David Montgomery for a seven-yard touchdown reception, according to the scoring record.
Stroud’s three sacks cost Houston 17 yards. His reported passer rating of 106.7 was respectable, and he protected the ball through the air by avoiding interceptions. However, the quarterback’s two lost fumbles became a major concern in the overall performance.
The key distinction between these quarterbacks was not simply their completion percentages. Allen generated more yards per attempt and contributed two rushing touchdowns. Stroud distributed the ball effectively but had less passing yardage and lost possession twice through fumbles.
Josh Allen vs. C.J. Stroud: head-to-head comparison
| Statistical category | Josh Allen | C.J. Stroud |
| Pass completions | 20 | 26 |
| Pass attempts | 29 | 38 |
| Completion rate | 69.0% | 68.4% |
| Passing yards | 334 | 274 |
| Yards per attempt | 11.5 | 7.2 |
| Passing touchdowns | 2 | 2 |
| Interceptions | 0 | 0 |
| Sacks taken | 2 | 3 |
| Rushing yards | 23 | 15 |
| Rushing touchdowns | 2 | 0 |
Allen’s advantage becomes clearer when passing and rushing contributions are considered together. He recorded 357 combined passing and rushing yards, while Stroud produced 289. This comparison adds the two yardage categories but does not include receiving contributions or adjust for sacks.
The numbers also show why completion percentage alone is not enough to evaluate a quarterback. Both players completed roughly two-thirds of their attempts, yet Allen created more yardage with fewer throws.
Rushing Stats: James Cook III and David Montgomery
The rushing comparison produced an interesting contrast. Houston ran the ball more often and gained more total rushing yards, but Buffalo benefited from Allen’s ability to score on designed or improvised runs.
Buffalo Bills rushing leaders
| Player | Attempts | Yards | Average | TD | Longest |
| James Cook III | 13 | 57 | 4.4 | 0 | 12 |
| Josh Allen | 6 | 23 | 3.8 | 2 | 21 |
| Ray Davis | 1 | 3 | 3.0 | 0 | 3 |
| Frank Gore Jr. | 1 | 3 | 3.0 | 0 | 3 |
| Team total | 21 | 86 | 4.1 | 2 | 21 |
James Cook led Buffalo in rushing yardage with 57 yards on 13 carries. His average of 4.4 yards per attempt gave the Bills a useful ground option without requiring him to carry the offense by himself.
Cook’s contribution was especially valuable because Allen was also a threat to run. A defense that focuses heavily on the quarterback can leave gaps for a running back, while a defense that commits extra players to the run can expose passing opportunities.
Allen’s six carries produced 23 yards and two touchdowns. His longest run was 21 yards, which also became a touchdown. His second rushing score came from one yard out.
That difference between yardage production and scoring production matters. Cook gained more rushing yards, but Allen finished the game as Buffalo’s most productive rushing touchdown threat.
Houston Texans rushing leaders
| Player | Attempts | Yards | Average | TD | Longest |
| David Montgomery | 20 | 60 | 3.0 | 2 | 18 |
| Woody Marks | 9 | 42 | 4.7 | 0 | Not supplied |
| C.J. Stroud | 2 | 15 | 7.5 | 0 | Not supplied |
| Nico Collins | 1 | 7 | 7.0 | 0 | Not supplied |
| Team total | 32 | 124 | 3.9 | 2 | 18 |
Montgomery was Houston’s primary rushing option. He carried the ball 20 times for 60 yards and scored twice on the ground. His longest run was 18 yards, and his ability to finish drives helped Houston establish an early lead and remain competitive.
Woody Marks added 42 yards on nine carries, averaging 4.7 yards per attempt. That average exceeded Montgomery’s, although Marks received fewer opportunities. His production suggests that Houston had another runner capable of contributing when given space.
Stroud added 15 rushing yards on two attempts. Collins recorded one carry for seven yards, adding another dimension to the Texans’ ground attack.
What the rushing numbers reveal
Houston recorded 124 rushing yards compared with Buffalo’s 86. The Texans also attempted 32 runs, 11 more than the Bills.
However, a larger rushing total does not automatically indicate a more effective overall offense. The result depends on the quality of each possession, the ability to convert third downs, the number of turnovers, and whether drives finish with touchdowns.
Buffalo’s rushing attack complemented its passing game and produced two touchdowns through Allen. Houston relied more heavily on Montgomery, who scored twice on the ground, but its overall advantage in rushing yardage did not translate into a win.
The practical lesson is that rushing statistics should be read alongside passing efficiency and possession security. The team that gains more rushing yards does not necessarily control the game.
Receiving Stats: Dalton Kincaid Leads Buffalo
Buffalo’s receiving production was led by tight end Dalton Kincaid, who delivered one of the most productive individual performances in the matchup. Houston’s leading receiver was Nico Collins, who combined steady target volume with a touchdown.
Buffalo Bills receiving stats
| Player | Receptions | Targets | Yards | Average per Catch | TD |
| Dalton Kincaid | 5 | 6 | 130 | 26.0 | 0 |
| D.J. Moore | 5 | 8 | 100 | 20.0 | 1 |
| Khalil Shakir | 4 | 6 | 50 | 12.5 | 0 |
| Joshua Palmer | 1 | 2 | 34 | 34.0 | 1 |
| James Cook III | 3 | 4 | 12 | 4.0 | 0 |
| Dawson Knox | 1 | 1 | 7 | 7.0 | 0 |
| Keon Coleman | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1.0 | 0 |
Dalton Kincaid’s big-play production
Kincaid caught five passes for 130 yards on six targets. His 26.0 yards per reception reflected a strong ability to turn individual catches into substantial gains.
He also recorded a longest reception of 40 yards. Although he did not score a receiving touchdown, his yardage helped Buffalo sustain its offensive output and create opportunities for other players.
Kincaid’s production is an example of why receiving touchdowns are not the only measure of a pass-catcher’s impact. A receiver can change field position, extend drives, and create favorable scoring situations without personally reaching the end zone.
His five catches on six targets also indicate a high completion rate on passes directed his way. In this case, the target count was small enough that one additional incomplete pass would have changed the percentage noticeably, so it is best to view the result as a strong single-game performance rather than a guarantee of future production.
D.J. Moore provides the scoring threat
Moore caught five passes for 100 yards and one touchdown on eight targets. His 43-yard touchdown reception was among Buffalo’s most important scoring plays.
He averaged 20 yards per catch, making him a major source of explosive receiving production. Moore’s ability to gain significant yardage after or during downfield receptions helped balance Buffalo’s offense.
Moore and Kincaid combined for 230 receiving yards on 10 catches. That output represents a substantial share of Allen’s 334 passing yards and shows how much the Bills benefited from their two leading pass-catchers.
Joshua Palmer’s decisive touchdown
Palmer caught one pass for 34 yards, and that reception became a touchdown. The score arrived with 1:36 remaining in the fourth quarter, according to the game record.
Although Palmer had fewer receptions than the other leading Buffalo targets, his lone catch had enormous value because it came at a critical point in the game.
This is a useful reminder when evaluating receiver performance: total catches and total yards measure volume, while the timing and outcome of a reception explain its importance to the final result.
Houston Texans receiving stats
| Player | Receptions | Targets | Yards | TD |
| Nico Collins | 7 | 10 | 75 | 1 |
| Jaylin Noel | 2 | Not supplied | 53 | 0 |
| Dalton Schultz | 4 | Not supplied | 35 | 0 |
| Xavier Hutchinson | 3 | Not supplied | 32 | 0 |
| Kayshon Boutte | 1 | Not supplied | 21 | 0 |
| David Montgomery | 3 | Not supplied | 19 | 1 |
| Marlin Klein | 1 | Not supplied | 16 | 0 |
| Foster Moreau | 2 | Not supplied | 15 | 0 |
| Jared Wayne | 1 | Not supplied | 12 | 0 |
| Cade Stover | 1 | Not supplied | -2 | 0 |
| Woody Marks | 1 | Not supplied | -2 | 0 |
The supplied receiving data identifies Collins as Houston’s leading receiver with seven catches for 75 yards and one touchdown. His 12-yard touchdown reception helped Houston keep pace with Buffalo during the second quarter.
Noel added 53 yards on two receptions, making him another important contributor in the passing game. Schultz caught four passes for 35 yards, while Hutchinson finished with three catches for 32 yards.
Montgomery’s receiving touchdown added value to his rushing production. His contribution across both categories gave Houston another way to use its primary running back near the scoring area.
Buffalo vs. Houston receiving comparison
Buffalo’s listed receiving totals were 334 yards on 20 catches, while Houston recorded 274 yards on 26 catches. That means Buffalo averaged 16.7 yards per reception, compared with Houston’s 10.5.
The difference is important because Buffalo produced more yardage despite making fewer catches. The Bills benefited from bigger gains, while Houston’s reception total reflected a greater volume of completed passes.
The supplied target counts also show Buffalo with 28 targets and Houston with 37. The higher Houston total aligns with Stroud’s 38 pass attempts, although target and completion figures can differ because of incompletions, sacks, and how official statistics classify plays.
Overall, Buffalo’s receivers were more productive on a per-catch basis. Houston still generated useful contributions from several players, but the Bills’ explosive plays helped create the yardage advantage through the air.
Defensive Player Stats and Key Stops
Offensive production often receives the most attention, but defensive plays can determine the outcome of close NFL games. Buffalo’s defense recorded three sacks, eight tackles for loss, and nine quarterback hits in the supplied team statistics. Houston recorded two sacks and four quarterback hits.
Buffalo Bills defensive leaders
| Player | Total Tackles | Solo Tackles | Sacks | Other Contributions |
| Terrel Bernard | 12 | 6 | Not listed | 1 tackle for loss |
| Dorian Williams | 9 | 4 | Not listed | Strong tackling output |
| C.J. Gardner-Johnson | 8 | 6 | Not listed | Six solo tackles |
| Cole Bishop | 7 | 2 | Not listed | Seven total tackles |
| Deone Walker | 6 | Not supplied | 1 | 2 tackles for loss, 1 QB hit |
| Greg Rousseau | 4 | Not supplied | 2 | 2 tackles for loss, 5 QB hits |
Terrel Bernard sets the tackling pace
Bernard led Buffalo with 12 total tackles, including six solo tackles. His involvement reflected a busy defensive assignment against a Houston offense that ran 73 plays, according to the team statistics.
Tackle totals are useful for identifying defensive involvement, but they do not automatically measure how well a player performed. A defender can accumulate tackles because opponents repeatedly target an area of the field. To assess impact, tackle totals should be considered alongside missed tackles, yards allowed, coverage assignments, pressures, and tackles for loss.
Bernard also contributed to Buffalo’s ability to finish the game without surrendering another score. The supplied defensive data records a fumble recovery for him, consistent with the late-game sequence in which Houston lost possession after Stroud was sacked.
Greg Rousseau pressures Stroud
Rousseau recorded two sacks and five quarterback hits in the supplied player statistics. Those figures identify him as one of Buffalo’s most disruptive pass rushers.
His late pressure was particularly important. Houston still had an opportunity to threaten Buffalo’s lead in the final seconds, but Stroud was sacked and fumbled. Bernard recovered the ball, ending Houston’s final meaningful scoring opportunity.
A sack is valuable because it moves an offense backward and can create difficult down-and-distance situations. A quarterback hit that does not produce a sack can also affect timing, force hurried decisions, and make it harder for receivers to complete their routes.
Rousseau’s numbers therefore reflect more than one isolated statistic. They point to repeated pressure against a quarterback who had otherwise completed 26 passes.
Deone Walker adds interior disruption
Walker recorded six tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss, and one quarterback hit in the supplied defensive data. His contributions complemented Rousseau’s edge pressure.
Pressure from multiple defensive positions makes it harder for an offense to direct its protection toward a single threat. When one defender wins from the outside and another creates disruption inside, a quarterback has less room to step up or wait for a receiver to get open.
That general principle helps explain why the Bills’ defensive production mattered despite Houston’s higher number of rushing yards and first downs.
Houston Texans defensive leaders
| Player | Total Tackles | Solo Tackles | Sacks |
| Azeez Al-Shaair | 8 | 5 | Not listed |
| Reed Blankenship | 7 | 4 | Not listed |
| Calen Bullock | 6 | 5 | Not listed |
| Jalen Pitre | 6 | 4 | Not listed |
| Will Anderson Jr. | 3 | Not supplied | 0.5 |
| Jadeveon Clowney | 1 | Not supplied | 1 |
| Danielle Hunter | 0 | Not supplied | 0 |
Al-Shaair led Houston with eight tackles, including five solo tackles. Blankenship recorded seven total tackles, while Bullock and Pitre finished with six apiece.
Houston’s defensive front did generate pressure. Clowney recorded one sack, and Anderson received credit for half a sack in the supplied statistics. Yet the defense was unable to consistently prevent Buffalo from producing explosive plays through the air.
The late touchdown pass to Palmer was especially costly. Buffalo covered 96 yards on the scoring drive, with Kincaid contributing a major reception before Palmer caught the decisive touchdown.
The defensive takeaway is straightforward: Houston made plays, but it could not prevent enough high-value completions to offset Buffalo’s efficiency.
Turnovers: The Statistical Difference That Mattered Most
One of the most important findings in the game statistics is the difference in lost possessions.
| Turnover category | Buffalo Bills | Houston Texans |
| Interceptions thrown | 0 | 0 |
| Fumbles | 2 | 2 |
| Fumbles lost | 0 | 2 |
| Total turnovers | 0 | 2 |
Neither quarterback threw an interception. The difference came from fumbles.
Buffalo recorded two fumbles but recovered both, according to the supplied team totals. Houston also recorded two fumbles, but both were lost. This left the Bills with no turnovers and the Texans with two.
Why the fumbles changed the game
Turnovers can have an impact beyond the number of possessions lost. A fumble can erase a promising drive, provide the opponent with a shorter field, or force a defense to return to the field before it has had enough rest.
Houston’s two lost fumbles were especially damaging because the final margin was only five points. In a close game, even one additional possession can create an opportunity for a touchdown or field goal.
The late fumble was the clearest example. Stroud was sacked during Houston’s final push, lost the ball, and Buffalo recovered. Instead of receiving another chance to score, Houston’s offense had to watch the remaining seconds expire.
Buffalo also had moments of risk. Allen and Cook each had a recorded fumble, but the Bills retained possession. That distinction explains why the same number of fumbles did not result in the same outcome for both teams.
It is important to distinguish a fumble from a turnover. A fumble occurs when a player loses control of the ball, while a lost fumble is one recovered by the opposing team. Not every fumble changes possession.
Special Teams Stats: Tyler Bass and Ka’imi Fairbairn
Special teams contributed points and field-position opportunities throughout the game. Both kickers made their field-goal attempts, but Buffalo’s three successful field goals produced more points than Houston’s one.
Kicking comparison
| Statistic | Tyler Bass, Buffalo | Ka’imi Fairbairn, Houston |
| Field goals made | 3 | 1 |
| Field goals attempted | 3 | 1 |
| Field-goal percentage | 100% | 100% |
| Longest field goal | 46 yards | 58 yards |
| Extra points made | 3 | 4 |
| Extra points attempted | 3 | 4 |
| Total kicking points | 12 | 7 |
Bass finished with 12 points, including three field goals and three extra points. His successful kicks helped Buffalo maintain its advantage during the second half.
Fairbairn made his lone field-goal attempt from 58 yards and converted all four extra points. The long field goal demonstrated his ability to convert from distance, although Houston needed more scoring opportunities to finish ahead.
Both kickers were perfect on their listed attempts. The difference came from the number of field goals made and the touchdowns their teams produced.
Punting statistics
| Player | Team | Punts | Total Punt Yards | Average |
| Tommy Doman Jr. | Buffalo | 2 | 109 | 54.5 |
| Kai Kroeger | Houston | 4 | 208 | 52.0 |
Doman averaged 54.5 yards per punt, while Kroeger averaged 52.0. Houston punted four times, compared with Buffalo’s two, reflecting the difference in the number of possessions that ended without a scoring result.
Punting averages are only part of the special teams picture. The location of each punt, the return allowed, and whether the kick pins an opponent near its own goal line all affect its value.
Kick returns
Buffalo recorded five kickoff returns for 133 yards, averaging 26.6 yards per return. Greg Dortch led the team with three returns for 82 yards, including a longest return of 37 yards.
Houston recorded eight kickoff returns for 202 yards, averaging 25.3 yards per return. Woody Marks returned three kicks for 78 yards, while Jaylin Noel recorded three for 70 yards.
Houston gained more total return yards because it had more returns. Buffalo had the higher average per return, although the difference was relatively small.
The supplied statistics also list two punt returns for Dortch, totaling 10 yards. No Houston punt returns were recorded.
Special teams did not produce the headline moment of the contest, but field goals, kickoff returns, and punts all influenced the field position and scoring opportunities available to both offenses.
Team Statistics: Buffalo Bills vs Houston Texans
Individual performances become more meaningful when viewed alongside team totals. Buffalo gained more total yards and protected the football, while Houston recorded more first downs and controlled possession for longer.
| Team statistic | Buffalo Bills | Houston Texans |
| Total net yards | 409 | 381 |
| Net passing yards | 323 | 257 |
| Rushing yards | 86 | 124 |
| First downs | 20 | 26 |
| Total plays | 52 | 73 |
| Third-down conversions | 3/9 | 7/16 |
| Fourth-down conversions | 0/1 | 2/2 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 2 |
| Penalties | 10 | 7 |
| Penalty yards | 85 | 106 |
| Time of possession | 23:43 | 36:17 |
Buffalo’s efficiency advantage
Buffalo gained 409 total net yards on 52 plays, averaging approximately 7.9 yards per play. Houston gained 381 net yards on 73 plays, averaging approximately 5.2 yards per play.
This is one of the most revealing comparisons in the game. Houston ran 21 more plays, but Buffalo gained 28 more total yards.
The Bills achieved more with fewer offensive snaps. Allen’s 11.5 yards per pass attempt and the production from Kincaid and Moore helped create that advantage.
Houston’s first-down advantage
Houston recorded 26 first downs, compared with Buffalo’s 20. The Texans also converted seven of 16 third-down attempts, while the Bills converted three of nine.
Those numbers show that Houston was capable of sustaining drives. It would be inaccurate to suggest that the Texans simply could not move the ball. They generated first downs, ran effectively, and maintained possession for more than 36 minutes.
However, first downs and possession time do not automatically lead to victory. Houston’s two lost fumbles reduced its opportunities, while Buffalo turned its explosive plays into enough points to win.
Red-zone performance
The supplied team statistics list Buffalo with one successful red-zone conversion on three opportunities and Houston with four on five opportunities.
Houston’s reported conversion rate was therefore higher. Yet Buffalo still scored 36 points because it produced touchdowns outside the traditional red-zone sequence and converted field goals on other drives.
Red-zone figures require careful interpretation. They describe what happened after a team reached a defined scoring area, but they do not capture every explosive play or every possession that ended in points. The official scoring record is the best way to understand how those opportunities contributed to the final score.
The Four Plays and Trends That Shaped the Result
The most useful way to understand a close NFL game is to connect statistics with the events that changed the score. Four developments stand out in this matchup.
1. Josh Allen’s rushing touchdowns gave Buffalo another scoring route
Allen’s two rushing touchdowns were essential to Buffalo’s 36-point total. His 21-yard touchdown run and one-yard scoring run forced Houston to defend more than the conventional passing game.
Quarterbacks who can run effectively create an additional challenge near the goal line. A defense can cover receivers successfully and still concede points if the quarterback finds an opening himself.
2. Buffalo’s explosive passes created separation
Kincaid’s 130 receiving yards and Moore’s 100 receiving yards gave Buffalo two productive targets. Moore’s 43-yard touchdown and Palmer’s late 34-yard scoring catch show how a single completion can change the state of a game.
Buffalo’s receiving average of 16.7 yards per catch, based on the supplied totals, was significantly higher than Houston’s 10.5. That difference helps explain why the Bills produced more total yards despite having fewer receptions.
3. Houston’s rushing game kept the contest close
Montgomery scored twice on the ground and gained 60 rushing yards. Marks added 42 yards, and Houston’s rushing attack totaled 124 yards.
Those numbers demonstrate that Houston had a productive ground game. The Texans were not dependent entirely on Stroud’s arm, and their ability to mix rushing with passing contributed to their fourth-quarter scoring push.
However, rushing success could not fully offset the lost fumbles and Buffalo’s ability to gain large chunks of passing yardage.
4. Buffalo’s defense finished the game with pressure
Houston still had an opportunity to threaten the lead late in the fourth quarter. Buffalo’s pass rush disrupted that final possession, and Stroud lost a fumble after being sacked.
That sequence connected the defensive statistics directly to the final result. Rousseau’s pressure and Bernard’s recovery helped protect the five-point lead.
The larger lesson is that defensive success should be evaluated by timing as well as totals. A pressure or tackle in a decisive situation may be more influential than several routine stops earlier in a game.
How to Read NFL Match Player Statistics Correctly
For readers comparing box scores, fantasy football performances, or team efficiency, several statistical distinctions are worth understanding.
Passing yards and net passing yards are different
Passing yards generally describe the yardage credited to a quarterback’s completed passes. Net passing yards account for sack yardage lost by the offense.
Allen threw for 334 yards and lost 11 yards on two sacks, leaving Buffalo with 323 net passing yards. Stroud threw for 274 yards and lost 17 yards on three sacks, leaving Houston with 257 net passing yards.
That distinction matters when calculating total offensive yardage. Adding gross passing yards to rushing yards would produce a misleading total if sack losses were ignored.
Completion percentage is not the same as passing efficiency
Completion percentage measures the proportion of pass attempts that result in completions. It does not directly measure how far those completions travel or how many points they create.
Allen completed 69.0% of his passes, while Stroud completed 68.4%. The difference was small. However, Allen’s higher yards per attempt and greater total passing yardage indicate that his completions generated more distance.
For a fuller evaluation, compare completion percentage with yards per attempt, touchdowns, interceptions, sacks, and the game situation in which passes were completed.
Tackles and sacks measure different defensive contributions
A tackle records a defensive player’s involvement in stopping a ball carrier or completing a defensive play. A sack is a specific type of tackle that brings down the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage during a passing play.
Bernard led Buffalo with 12 tackles, while Rousseau recorded two sacks. These numbers describe different forms of contribution and should not be compared as though they measure the same thing.
Turnovers are not the same as fumbles
Both teams recorded two fumbles, but Buffalo lost none and Houston lost two. The final turnover count was therefore zero for Buffalo and two for Houston.
When reviewing a box score, always distinguish total fumbles from lost fumbles. The difference can explain why two teams with similar fumble counts experienced very different outcomes.
For readers who want to verify the numbers, the ESPN box score for the game provides a useful reference for player and team statistics.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who won the Buffalo Bills vs Texans game on September 13, 2026?
The Buffalo Bills defeated the Houston Texans 36-31. Buffalo scored 21 points in the second quarter and held on through Houston’s fourth-quarter comeback attempt.
2. How many passing yards did Josh Allen record against Houston?
Josh Allen threw for 334 yards, completing 20 of 29 attempts. He recorded two passing touchdowns, no interceptions, and a 130.5 passer rating.
3. How did C.J. Stroud perform against the Bills?
Stroud completed 26 of 38 passes for 274 yards and two touchdowns without throwing an interception. He also rushed for 15 yards, but he lost two fumbles.
4. Who led the game in receiving yards?
Dalton Kincaid led all listed receivers with 130 yards on five receptions for Buffalo. Nico Collins led Houston with 75 yards on seven receptions and scored one receiving touchdown.
5. Which running back had the most rushing yards?
David Montgomery led the game with 60 rushing yards on 20 attempts for Houston. James Cook III led Buffalo with 57 yards on 13 carries.
6. What was the biggest statistical difference between the teams?
Buffalo gained 409 total net yards compared with Houston’s 381 and finished with zero turnovers against Houston’s two. Buffalo also averaged more yards per offensive play, making its possessions more productive despite having the ball for less time.
Conclusion
The Buffalo Bills‘ 36-31 victory over the Houston Texans on September 13, 2026, was built on passing efficiency, explosive receiving plays, quarterback mobility, and timely defensive pressure. The final score reflected a competitive contest in which Houston produced more rushing yards, more first downs, and a longer time of possession, but Buffalo made better use of its offensive opportunities.
Allen finished with 334 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, and two rushing touchdowns. Kincaid led the receiving group with 130 yards, while Moore and Palmer delivered important touchdown catches. For Houston, Stroud threw for 274 yards and two touchdowns, Montgomery scored twice on the ground, and Collins led the team in receiving yards.
The decisive statistical difference was ball security. Buffalo finished without a turnover, while Houston lost two fumbles. Combined with Buffalo’s higher offensive yards per play and its late defensive stop, that advantage helped the Bills secure the win.
For anyone reviewing NFL player performances, this matchup demonstrates why the final score alone does not tell the full story. Passing efficiency, rushing production, receiving impact, defensive pressure, and turnover margin all help explain how a game is won. Looking at these categories together provides a clearer understanding of individual contributions and team performance.
