The Houston Texans lost 31-36 to the Buffalo Bills during their 2026 home opener at Reliant Stadium. Despite a historic three-touchdown performance from David Montgomery, a late turnover by C.J. Stroud cost Houston the game.
David Montgomery becomes the fifth Texan to score three touchdowns in a signle game
David Montgomery made an immediate impact in his debut for the Houston Texans, scoring three touchdowns to bolster the team's red zone efficiency. As the report from the season opener notes, Montgomery's 20 carries for 60 yards helped establish a much-needed presence in the run game. This performance makes him only the fifth running back in franchise history to record three or more touchdowns in a single contest.
The veteran's ability to find the end zone provides a significant lift for an offense looking to establish a more balanced identity. By logging 11 more carries than his previous outings, Montgomery has signaled that he will be a cornerstone of the Texans' offensive strategy moving forward.
Greg Rousseau’s strip of C.J. stroud at the 28-yard line seals the loss
C.J. Stroud demonstrated both high-level production and critical error-prone play during the 31-36 loss to the Buffalo Bills. While Stroud completed 26 of 38 passes for 274 yards and two touchdowns, his two lost fumbles proved to be the deciding factor in the outcome. According to the game report, Buffalo edge rusher Greg Rousseau stripped the ball from Stroud with just 16 seconds remaining on the clock, halting a drive that had reached the opposing 28-yard line.
This late-game giveaway occurred while Houston was within striking distance of a comeback, turning a promising drive into a devastating loss. The first of Stroud's fumbles occurred early in the first quarter, allowing Buffalo to take an initial 3-0 lead and setting a difficult tone for the rest of the Texans' defense.
Josh Allen’s 334-yard performance overcomes a 1-5 career record in Houston
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen exploited the Houston defense to secure a rare victory on their home turf. Allen threw for 334 yards and two touchdowns while adding two rushing scores on the ground, effectively dismantling the Texans' defensive schemes. This dominant display allowed wide receivers D.J. Moore and Khalil Shakir to both surpass the 100-yard mark.
The victory is particularly notable given Allen's historical struggles in this environment, as he had previously held a 1-5 career record against the Texans. The 2024 league MVP's ability to limit sacks—taking only two compared to the eight he faced in 2025—allowed the Bills to maintain control of the tempo throughout the contest.
Who will serve as the reliable second target for C.J. Stroud?
The Houston Texans' passing attack currently lacks a secondary consistent threat to complement the production of Nico Collins. While Collins recorded seven catches for 75 yards and a touchdown,no other receiver in the lineup exceeded three receptions. This leaves an open question regarding whether Xavier Hutchinson, who managed three catches for 32 yards, can step up as a consistent playmaker, or if the Texans' offensive success will remain overly dependent on a single target.
Comments 0