Official Wild Card Playoff Round - Texans vs. Bills Game Thread, 1/4/2020

[HPF Bob]

Texans are 3-3 in common opponents while Buffalo is 2-3. A big chunk of that stat is that Buffalo was 0-2 against New England, whom we beat, while Houston split with Tennessee, whom they beat. However, the loss to Tennessee comes with an asterisk as Houston certainly wasn't playing their best players.

Buffalo, like the Pats, benefited from a ridiculously easy schedule - 4 games against the Jets and Dolphins plus games against Cincinnati, Cleveland, Denver, Washington and the Giants. That should be 9-0 right there. The Bills went 7-2.

Their "good wins" were against Tennessee, Pittsburgh and Dallas, two of which also missed the playoffs - so they are 1-4 against playoff teams.

Houston did better against an arguably tougher schedule. The "easy" part were 4 games against the Jags and Colts, followed by Atlanta, Carolina, LA Chargers, Oakland and Denver. The Texans went 6-3. Their "good wins" were against Tennessee, Kansas City, New England and Tampa Bay - of which Tampa Bay missed the playoffs. The Texans are 3-3 against playoff teams, again with the asterisk for the Week 17 game.

I think by schedule analysis, Houston is the better team. Whether it shows on Saturday is another matter.

[HPF Bob]

From Tuesday's practices, according to Rotowire:

* J.J. Watt (pectoral) is cleared for play but not expected to play every defensive snap. It would not surprise me if he is brought in just for obvious passing downs.

* Jahleel Addae (achilles) held back in practice but expects to be ready.

* Jonathan Joseph (hamstring) was limited in practice. He's a veteran so light practices shouldn't be a sign he won't be ready.

* Bradley Roby (hamstring) was limited in practice. Like Joseph, he won't need much to get ready.

* Laremy Tunsil (ankle) was limited in practice. Roderick Johnson took snaps as his backup.

* Will Fuller V (groin) was limited in practice. Likely to be listed as questionable and a game time decision.

* Kenny Stills (knee) was limited in practice. Likely listed as questionable and a game time decision.

* Jordan Thomas (illness) missed Wednesday's practice. No details.

Bills appear relatively healthy with the biggest concern being their right tackle who was injured in the loss to the Jets.

[HPF Bob]

Fatboy tweets Fuller V is a scratch.

[chuck]

All of you necks seriously thought the Nexans were going to win? lmao

[Arky]

Gametime!

Texans sporting the all-blues...

Texans kickoff to the Bills. Touchback. Bills to start at their 25.

Bills waste no time. Allen has a 42-yard run and then they use a halfback pass back to the QB for 16-yard TD.

Bills 7, Texans 0

11:41 left in the 1st qtr.

Way to go defense!

[Arky]

Texans get in to Bills territory but a missed PI on Hop is being challenged....

Likely not going to get overturned... Ball at the Bill's 37.

Play stands. Texans to punt.

Punt is fair caught at the 10-yard line. Bill's ball.

7:02 left in the 1st qtr.

[Arky]

1st qtr ends with the Bills with the ball at their 16 facing 2nd and 3.

Texans had a couple of drives into Bill's territory that ended with punts.

Still:

Bills 7, Texans 0

[Arky]

Bills have to settle for a FG after driving from their 9 yard line.

Hauschka is good from 40.

Bills 10, Texans 0

10:47 left in the half.

[Keith]

Stupid challenge by O'Brien.

Roby and Watt each had possible pick sixes go through their hands.

Twice drove into Bills territory and punted.