HOUSTON — Stefon Diggs expressed that the Texans’ victory over the Buffalo Bills, where they won 23-20, held significant meaning for him as they improved their record to 4-1.
This game marked the first encounter between the Texans and Bills since Diggs was traded to Houston during the offseason in exchange for a second-round pick in 2025. After the match, players and coaches acknowledged their desire to win for Diggs, who played against his former team.
As the matchup approached, Diggs mentioned he tempered his excitement but felt a strong energy throughout the week. Despite not voicing the magnitude of the game to his teammates, Diggs was thrilled that his squad rallied for the win.
“We got a dub this week. We’re 1-0. Obviously, playing my old team, I can’t pretend it was just another game,” Diggs noted. “It meant a lot to me, and it was reassuring that the guys around me recognized that significance, even if I didn’t express it. I try to maintain composure and treat every week the same. But I’d be lying if I said it didn’t mean a lot.”
The Texans took an early lead with a score of 14-3 in the first quarter, highlighted by a 67-yard touchdown catch from wide receiver Nico Collins. Collins, who is leading the NFL in receiving yards with 567, left the game with a hamstring injury after that play and did not return.
Despite Collins’ absence, quarterback C.J. Stroud recorded 331 passing yards and achieved a passer rating of 97. Stroud relied heavily on Diggs in Collins’ absence, with the star receiver finishing the game with a leading 82 receiving yards.
“It was huge. I know Diggs was a bit emotional today. He really wanted to perform well against his former team,” Stroud stated. “He played great, channeling his emotions positively. I’m just happy for him with this win.”
Stroud did encounter some difficulties in the second half, including a lost fumble and an interception, which allowed the Bills to recover from an early 20-3 deficit and tie the game with three minutes left. However, Stroud managed to drive the Texans into field goal range in the final moments, setting up kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn for a game-winning 59-yard kick.
A vital aspect of the Texans’ success was coach DeMeco Ryans’ defensive strategy against star quarterback Josh Allen, who struggled, completing only 9 of 30 passes for a season-low 131 yards and a passer rating of 56.
Ryans’ defense broke records, forcing Allen to achieve the lowest completion percentage (30.0%) in a game with at least 30 pass attempts in 30 seasons, as per ESPN Research.
“Really happy for Diggs. I knew how important this win was for him,” Ryans commented. “We had to get this one for Diggs.”
The Texans’ defensive effectiveness stemmed from their aggressive pass rush and tight coverage on the Bills’ receivers. No Bills player surpassed 50 receiving yards, and Allen faced pressure on 45% of his dropbacks, completing just one pass for 24 yards when under duress.
“Limiting Josh is key; he’s a great player and tough to contain, but it was a collective effort,” Ryans assessed. “We knew sacks would be hard since he’s elusive in the pocket, but we maintained pressure on him, and our coverage was crucial.”
Next week, the Texans are set to face the New England Patriots, although Collins’ availability may be in question. According to sources, Collins experienced tightness in his hamstring following the touchdown catch and opted not to push himself further.
Ryans indicated that Collins is “day-to-day.”