NFL Week 12 Contenders: Consider Browns, Vikings, Eagles
Lorenzo Reyes went 2-1 as a pick last week and is ready to carry that energy into Week 12.
- Houston’s defense was a key factor, forcing three turnovers and sacking Bills QB Josh Allen eight times.
- Texans backup QB Davis Mills replaced injured CJ Stroud and won his third straight game.
- Buffalo’s loss gave the New England Patriots a two-game lead in the AFC East.
If you don’t like Thursday night NFL football… you’re missing out on an eventful affair.
The Houston Texans defeated the Buffalo Bills 23-19 to open Week 12 of the 2025 season. The game, which could have far-reaching implications for the playoffs and the MVP race, featured a valiant effort from both teams and officials.
Houston’s defense was perhaps the talking point of the night as the Texans won for the fourth time in their last five games, increasing their chances of making the playoffs and winning their third consecutive AFC South title. But in terms of winners and losers beyond the scoreboard, it wasn’t alone…
winner
texans defense
He shut down Bills QB Josh Allen, the reigning league MVP, forced three turnovers and bowed out on third down and in the red zone. This game wouldn’t have been as close if Buffalo hadn’t scored on special teams.
bill’s mafia
They were good travelers and were able to cross the border into the Lone Star State. Buffalo fans were thirsty many times throughout the night, especially when Ray Davis scored on a 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown before halftime.
davis mills
Houston’s QB2 may have looked like a bit of a fluke while passing for 153 yards. But since starter C.J. Stroud went down with a concussion, Mills has won three straight, with two of his 16 completions going for touchdowns. It appears Stroud plans to take another 10 days off and return before Houston’s next game, but don’t worry if he doesn’t.
Hail Mary sack?
OK, it may not have been a significant enough sequence to warrant a nickname, but let me highlight that Texans DE Will Anderson ran for over 50 yards and gave Allen one of Houston’s sacks.
4th and 27th
The Bills scored one on their final drive, and the dynamic execution of the play seemed to foretell a comeback, but that wasn’t to be. Still, it’s an outstanding play design that opens up chances.
new england patriots
With nine wins and two losses, they tied for the best record in the league, and with one win over the Bills already, their advantage in the AFC East expanded to two games without a tiebreaker.
loser
Josh Allen
Just days after passing for three touchdowns and scoring three more, Allen, the reigning league MVP (so far), didn’t score a single touchdown in Thursday’s loss. He was sacked a career-high eight times, had a total of 12 hits, was often running for his life behind a battered O-line, and according to Next Generation Stats, actually covered nearly 900 yards throughout the game. His second pick of the night came on the 34th and final pitch of the inning, closing out the game for Houston. Thursday’s game was Allen’s first loss after starting 8-0 in midweek matchups.
Terrell Bernard
Buffalo’s defensive captain injured his elbow, left the game in obvious pain, and subsequently wore a sling. It’s another blow that this team can’t afford.
Texans Battle Red/Bold Bull Uniform
The Texans have been marketing their red alternate uniforms pretty aggressively, even dual-branding them. But ok. The helmet is a mix of red chrome and candy-painted red flakes, which is actually a nice effect, but it overwhelms the rather drab red uniform. The horns of the helmet are so dark and untrimmed that they are almost hard to tell, but up close they give off a demonic vibe. no.
Adrian Hill
The referee for this game apparently suffered a non-contact leg injury while running in one of the end zones midway through the third quarter. Hill was carted off the field and had to be replaced by umpire Roy Ellison as staff scrambled to raise the microphone so he could get used to being man-down.
Keon Coleman
Buffalo’s second-year receiver, selected No. 33 overall in last year’s draft, remains in coach Sean McDermott’s doghouse and is healthy for the second time in five days. The decision was especially notable considering the Bills were without injured tight end Dalton Kincaid and receivers Curtis Samuel and Mecole Hardman.
indianapolis colts
A loss on Sunday against Kansas City would leave them just two games behind the Texans, who are gaining momentum in the AFC South. And with no matchup against a divisional rival yet scheduled in 2025, that would pave the way for Houston to regain the No. 1 spot it has enjoyed in recent years.
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