By McKenna Middlebrook / Billswire.usatoday.com
The Buffalo Bills are back in the playoffs for the second time in three years, and will be facing the AFC South champions Houston Texans. After a surprising 10-6 season, the Bills will be going to Houston to face Deshaun Watson, J.J. Watt, and DeAndre Hopkins on Wild Card weekend.
Here are the five matchups to watch against Houston on Saturday:
Tre’Davious White vs. DeAndre Hopkins
Let’s not beat around the bush here, this is the biggest test in the young career of Tre’Davious White. These two locked horns last season and White had an underrated performance. He held the Pro Bowl receiver to five catches, 63 yards, and one touchdown. White was in a great coverage, but Hopkins made an exceptional back shoulder grab that only a few players can make in the NFL.
White has had the best season of his career, with six interceptions, and 17 pass breakups the most important stat for White though, is that he’s allowed zero touchdowns this season. Putting him in the running for Defensive Player of the Year.
DeAndre Hopkins on the other hand, has been having a down year by his lofty standards. The Pro Bowler has 104 catches, 1,165 yards, and seven touchdowns. His past two seasons saw him go over 1,300 yards, and go into double digits for touchdowns as well.
With fellow wide receivers, Will Fuller V and Kenny Stills both listed as questionable for Saturday the offense will run through quarterback Deshaun Watson and DeAndre Hopkins.
Tremaine Edmunds vs. Darren Fells
The Texans still have some weapons in the passing attack, and one is the tight end Darren Fells. Fells hasn’t put up massive numbers, he has 34 catches, 341 yards, but seven touchdowns. He’s the perfect red zone target, standing at 6-foot-7 and a former collegiate basketball player. Fells can go up and get the ball, making him one of Deshaun Watson’s favorite targets in the red zone.
The Bills may have the perfect foil for Fells with second year linebacker Tremaine Edmunds. Edmunds is underrated with his coverage abilities and has the length to matchup with the massive tight end. When not used in the red zone, Edmunds can use his quickness to close down Fells and force an incompletion. Which he has shown with his 21 pass breakups through his first two seasons.
Edmunds has just two interceptions in his career, coming against Sam Darnold and Lamar Jackson. Two quarterbacks who like to extend plays, which is one of the strengths of Watson.
Adding one more statistic for Darren Fells, in the five games he’s scored this season the Texans are undefeated.
Devin Singletary vs. Zach Cunningham
The Bills rookie running back has flown under the radar this season, but has put up some impressive stats. Devin Singletary has 775 yards, two touchdowns, on 151 carries, which is an average of 5.1 yards per carry, fifth-best in the NFL. He also has 194 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. The Bills will need balance in their offense if they want to advance through the playoffs, and Singletary gives Buffalo balance.
Zach Cunningham is the AFC leader in tackles, and is the spine of a lackluster Houston defense. The Texans have struggled against the run this season, ranking 25th in the NFL, allowing 121.1 yards per game. Cunningham is one of the few reasons that the Texans defense haven’t completely capitulated this season, with his superb tackling and command of the Houston defense.
Singletary was rested against the Jets, which may mean that he will be carrying the load in Houston.
John Brown vs. Bradley Roby
The Bills will be looking for another big from John Brown, who has had a breakout season in Buffalo. The former Raven and Cardinal has 72 catches, 1,060 yards, an average of 14.7 yards per catch and six touchdowns. Brown has been used as both a deep threat, and an intermediate target so he can use his speed after the catch. He has been quarterback Josh Allen’s favorite target this season which has created some explosive moments for a struggling Buffalo offense.
Bradley Roby, like his fellow starting cornerback, Johnathan Joseph is listed as questionable for the game on Saturday. Roby, has had a consistent season, he has two interceptions, and broken up eight passes. The Texan has struggled against speedy receivers in his career which plays into the strengths of John Brown.
Cody Ford/Jon Feliciano vs. J.J. Watt
The Texans received a much needed boost with the return of J.J. Watt for their Wild Card matchup. Watt has faced the Bills two times, and has some success. In his first game he intercepted quarterback E.J. Manuel, and took it back for a touchdown. The second game he sacked Josh Allen once.
It’s unknown how much Watt will be playing against Buffalo. The offensive line will be wary because he’s one of the best players in the NFL and can change the game on any play. The Bills offensive line has had an up and down season, but has struggled against dominant defenses. Without Watt, Houston has a mundane pass rush, but he will elevate the team, and create more one-on-one opportunities across Buffalo’s offensive line.
Watt in his limited time this season has four sacks, and one forced fumble. Cody Ford and Jon Feliciano will see the majority of Watt in the game, which should be worrying because the Bills have allowed 40 sacks this season. Ford has struggled with one-on-one’s this season, and he’ll be facing one of the most dominant pass rushers in the NFL.