A new era of Buffalo Bills football begins Sunday with an immediate test against one of the AFC’s top teams. The Bills travel to Houston to face the Texans at Reliant Stadium in their 2026 season opener, with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m. on CBS.
Buffalo finished 12-5 last season but made a major change in the offseason, replacing Sean McDermott with former offensive coordinator Joe Brady as head coach. The Bills return an offense that led the NFL in rushing last season, with James Cook coming off an NFL rushing-title season and Josh Allen getting another explosive weapon in wide receiver DJ Moore.
Houston enters the opener after going 10-7 and reaching the playoffs for the third consecutive season. The Texans’ defense was the best in the NFL last year, allowing 277.2 yards per game, and the unit added safety Reed Blankenship, defensive end Logan Hall and defensive tackle Kayden McDonald during the offseason.
That defense presents a particularly difficult challenge for Allen. The Bills quarterback is 1-4 in five career games against the Texans and 0-4 in games played in Houston. Allen has thrown for 980 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions in those five meetings while being sacked 17 times.
Buffalo has struggled in Houston for nearly two decades, losing its last five regular-season road games against the Texans. The Bills’ most recent regular-season win there came in 2006.
The teams last met in Houston on November 20, 2025, when the Texans won 23-19. Allen was sacked eight times and threw two interceptions in that game.
It also marks the first game for Buffalo’s new-look defense under coordinator Jim Leonhard. The Bills are coming off a season in which they ranked 28th against the run, allowing 136.2 yards per game, and surrendered eight touchdown runs of at least 30 yards. How that unit handles C.J. Stroud and Houston’s offense will be another key storyline in the first game of the Brady era.
GAME WEEK LINKS
- Top storylines for Bills at Texans | NFL Week 1 (BuffaloBills.com)
- Bills believe they’ve solved a major weakness. Texans will find out (D&C.com)
- Jim Leonhard makes revelation about Bills defense ahead of Texans game (BillsWire.com)
- Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills quick passing game will shape Week 1 vs. Texans (BuffaloRumblings.com)
- ‘Make sure we’re locked into our details’ | Bills prepare for tough Week 1 matchup with Houston Texans (BuffaloBills.com)
- Bills catch break with 2 talented Texans receivers out vs. Buffalo (D&C.com)
- Bills’ Josh Allen confident in Spencer Brown, O-line after last Texans debacle (BillsWire.com)
- Christian Benford headlines Buffalo Bills X-factors vs. Houston Texans in Week 1 (BuffaloRumblings.com)
- NFL analysts make their picks for Bills vs Texans: 6 early predictions (D&C.com)
PRESS CONFERENCES
MEDIA
Wouldn't want to miss this AFC showdown 😤
— NFL (@NFL) September 5, 2026
BUFvsHOU – Sunday, Sept. 13 at 1pm ET on CBS/Paramount+
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/noLi61h2NR
#BUFvsHOU officiating crew cheat sheet
— nflrefstats (@nflrefstats1) September 8, 2026
HOME teams were 10-6 SU & ATS (61%) w' referee Alex Moore in 2025, his first season as a head ref
This crew led the #NFL in penalty per game avg, & I'll focus on some key areas
Moore placed above avg emphasis on OFFENSIVE HOLDING + FALSE… pic.twitter.com/CGOUIphwA5
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.