The Houston Texans produced a sensational defensive performance to hand Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen a difficult afternoon, securing a 23-19 victory in Week 12 of the 2025 NFL season.

Texans’ Defence Shines

The Texans’ defence, led by safety Calen Bullock, wreaked havoc on the Bills’ offence. Allen, last season’s NFL Most Valuable Player, was sacked eight times—the most he has ever endured in a single game—and threw two critical interceptions. Bullock, who also forced a fumble, sealed the victory with a second interception in the dying moments, ensuring Houston held on after leading 20-16 at half-time.

Houston’s defensive display was pivotal in their third consecutive win, giving them a winning record of 6-5 for the first time this season. Meanwhile, the Bills, once considered Super Bowl favourites, now sit at 7-4 following a challenging stretch where they lost four of their past seven games.

Offensive Highlights

Despite the Texans missing starting quarterback CJ Stroud due to a concussion, Davis Mills stepped up impressively, directing Houston’s attack efficiently. Mills connected with Christian Kirk for a two-yard touchdown and later threw an eight-yard strike to Jayden Higgins just seconds before the half ended, giving the Texans a crucial lead.

For the Bills, running back James Cook led the ground game with 116 rushing yards and opened the scoring with a 45-yard touchdown. Ray Davis responded with a stunning 97-yard kick-off return touchdown, giving Buffalo a brief 16-13 advantage before Houston regained control.

Key Plays and Turning Points

• Calen Bullock’s defensive heroics: Forced a fumble, intercepted Allen twice, and made critical tackles to disrupt Buffalo’s offence.
• Sacks and hits on Allen: The Texans recorded 12 quarterback hits, limiting Allen’s mobility and disrupting his passing rhythm.
• Crucial scoring drives by Houston: Field goals by Ka’imi Fairbairn and touchdowns from Mills’ passing connections kept the Texans ahead.

Allen’s struggles were compounded in the final seconds when Bullock intercepted him for his ninth pick of the season and fifth in just three games—a worrying trend for Buffalo ahead of their clash against the Pittsburgh Steelers next week.

Buffalo’s Challenges

Bills head coach Sean McDermott admitted the team’s protection schemes need improvement:

“I don’t like that stat at all. It’s not a good way to keep our quarterback healthy for the rest of the season. We’ve got to play better,” he said.

With the Bills’ offensive line under pressure and Allen facing increasingly formidable defences, the team will need adjustments to regain momentum and protect their playoff ambitions.

Implications for NFL 2025 Season

The victory marks a major confidence boost for Houston, who have now shown they can compete even without their starting quarterback. Conversely, the Bills must reassess both their offensive and defensive strategies, particularly in protecting Allen and preventing turnovers in tight contests.