Sep 22, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) throws a pass during the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Buffalo’s defense has been one of the more consistent units in the league since Sean McDermott took over as head coach. Despite the flaws in the postseason, the Bills have shown to be tough to score on in the regular season.
In four of McDermott’s seven seasons, Buffalo has been in the top five in the fewest points allowed.
This year is no different, and Buffalo is really winning on the first down. The Bills are in the top 10 in yards per play and EPA/Play on the initial down, forcing teams into second, third and longs. Houston, on the other hand, is relatively average on first down, ranking significantly higher when passing.
Buffalo has been elite at limiting opponents’ passing success on first down, doing so passively with the league’s lowest blitz rate at 4.3 percent. The Bills run Cover 2 at a top-10 rate in the league, which is the second-most coverage Houston’s seen on offense.
Teams are attempting to prevent the Texans from creating explosive passing plays, as no team has seen Cover 2 more than Houston.
We may see the Texans’ offense flip the script back to being run-heavy on first down until Buffalo can prove it can stop it.
Regardless, it’ll be important to pick up yards on first down.
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