The 2026 NFL season kicks off with the Buffalo Bills traveling to face the Houston Texans. This Week 1 game will take place at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. The game is set for Sunday, September 13, at 1:00 PM and will be televised on CBS.
Buffalo enters the season under the leadership of Head Coach Joe Brady. The Houston Texans are led by Head Coach DeMeco Ryans. Both teams will look to start the season strong in front of the home and away fans.
Bills Preview
The Buffalo Bills had a successful preseason, winning all three games. They beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 28-27, Cleveland Browns 31-7, and Carolina Panthers 29-14. In these games, the Bills showed strength in both passing and rushing, with Shane Buechele and Josh Allen leading the charge at quarterback.
During the 2025 regular season, the Bills ranked high in offensive stats. They scored 481 points and gained 6,397 offensive yards. James Cook III was a standout player, rushing for 1,621 yards, which ranked first in the league.
The Bills’ defense was also strong last season. They allowed 365 points, ranking 12th, and had the top-ranked pass defense. Damar Hamlin and Deone Walker were key contributors on defense, making crucial plays in preseason and regular games. The team’s depth chart features a mix of returning players and new faces ready for the 2026 season.
Texans Preview
The Houston Texans had a challenging preseason. They lost all three games, with the latest defeat coming against the Carolina Panthers, 16-13. In that game, the Texans managed 92 passing yards and 81 rushing yards.
During the 2025 regular season, the Texans’ offense ranked 18th in total yards. They averaged 327 yards per game. C.J. Stroud was a standout, with over 3,000 passing yards and 19 touchdowns.
The Texans’ defense was strong last season, ranking 1st in opponent offensive yards allowed. They allowed just 277.2 yards per game. Despite this strength, injuries could impact their performance this season.
Betting Prediction
The Bills have a strong offense, scoring 28.3 points per game last season. However, they will face the Texans’ defense, which was the second-best in points allowed per game. The Texans only allowed 17.4 points per game, making it hard for teams to score.
On offense, the Texans scored 23.8 points per game, which is good but not the best. They will play against a solid Bills defense that only allowed 21.5 points per game. This could limit the Texans’ scoring chances.
Both teams have defenses ranked in the top half of the league. The Bills’ defense was seventh in yards allowed, and the Texans were first. With both teams having strong defenses, it’s likely the game will have fewer points.
- Pick: Under 44.5 (-110)
