The Buffalo Bills absolutely kicked off the 2026 NFL season with a bang, pulling out a wild 36-31 victory against the Houston Texans right there in Houston. That’s a huge W for a squad trying to forge a new identity under first-year head coach Joe Brady, and get this: it’s their first win at Reliant Stadium since J.P. Losman was slinging it back in 2006. It wasn’t all sunshine and roses, no way, but there were definitely some huge plays that screamed “Horns Up!” after Week 1.
DJ Moore Is Already Making Opponents Sweat
Talk about an impact player! DJ Moore, the newest weapon in Buffalo’s offense, was as-advertised, making some seriously big plays in tight windows that snagged huge yardage. He didn’t even get targeted until their third possession, but man, did he light up the second quarter. His first grab was a deep post off a sweet play-action pass, and he nearly snagged his first touchdown on a deep ball from Josh Allen. Houston safety Calen Bullock got flagged for tackling Moore while the ball was still in the air in the end zone, gifting the Bills a first down at the one-yard line.
But you know Moore was getting his. Later in that same quarter, Houston safety Reed Blankenship almost picked one off, but it ended up right in Moore’s hands instead! With some fancy footwork to stay in bounds, and nobody around him, he walked in for a massive 43-yard score. Just in the second quarter alone, Moore pulled in three catches for 76 yards and that touchdown. He finished the day with five catches, 100 yards, and that epic score, leading the team with eight targets. What a debut!
Josh Allen Was Straight Up Exceptional
And let’s talk about the guy throwing the rock! Josh Allen was just straight up exceptional in Week 1. This dude scored two rushing touchdowns in the first half! One was a ridiculous 21-yard scramble where he rolled right, somehow found a lane, and then dodged multiple defenders inside the five-yard line on his way to paydirt. The second was a classic quarterback sneak, with tight end Dawson Knox playing the role of the “schnowplow” to clear the way.
Allen also threw that dime to DJ Moore for the touchdown, obviously. The game plan clearly used some quick-hitters, but the protection up front was money, keeping Allen out of harm’s way for most of the game. Buffalo’s offensive line was chipping Houston’s edge rushers with different players, and those varied personnel packages gave Allen clean looks against a seriously tough defense. Seriously, this was the best day Allen has ever had in his career when playing in Houston. He was eff,
So yeah, the Bills are 1-0 after a wild one. Look, it wasn’t all perfect, there are always areas for improvement after Week 1, that’s just how it goes. But when you see your newest big-play guy going for 100 yards and a score, and your QB putting up two rushing TDs and throwing another, that’s how you kick off a new era with a brand new coach. This team’s got some serious juice! What do you think, did the Bills earn a massive “Horns Up” for this opener?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Buffalo Rumblings.
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