By Clint Brooks / Billswire.usatoday.com
In Week 6, the Buffalo Bills will travel to NRG Stadium to take on the Houston Texans. Both teams won by the narrowest of margins in Week 5. The Bills kicked a field goal in the waning seconds to defeat the Tennessee Titans 13-12, while Houston edged the Dallas Cowboys in overtime by a final score of 19-16.
Another theme that Buffalo and the Texans share entering Week 6 is their identical records as they both sit at 2-3 towards the bottom of their respective divisions. Each team will look to reach the .500 mark for the first time this season and improve their odds of making the playoffs.
In Week 6, the Buffalo Bills will travel to NRG Stadium to take on the Houston Texans. Both teams won by the narrowest of margins in Week 5. The Bills kicked a field goal in the waning seconds to defeat the Tennessee Titans 13-12, while Houston edged the Dallas Cowboys in overtime by a final score of 19-16.
Another theme that Buffalo and the Texans share entering Week 6 is their identical records as they both sit at 2-3 towards the bottom of their respective divisions. Each team will look to reach the .500 mark for the first time this season and improve their odds of making the playoffs.
The difference between a win or loss for the Bills this Sunday will be determined by a few key matchups. Here are three matchups to follow between Buffalo and the Texans in Week 6:
Tre’Davious White vs. DeAndre Hopkins
Tre’Davious White will take on one of the NFL’s best wide receivers in DeAndre Hopkins. Hopkins is Houston’s No. 1 wide receiver and the go-to option for quarterback Deshaun Watson. The All-Pro pass catcher will certainly draw the attention of the Bills’ shutdown cornerback.
Hopkins is off to a fast start in 2018. The 6-foot-1, 215-pounder has tallied 39 receptions, an NFL-leading 594 receiving yards and two touchdowns in five games played. The former Clemson product has also registered at least six catches in all games this year as well, which proves the notion that ‘Nuk’ is heavily involved in the offense and finds ways to get open.
Hopkins is a crafty route runner with a pair of the best hands in the league. White will have a big challenge ahead of him, but the second-year cornerback from LSU has limited Keenan Allen, Stefon Diggs and Davante Adams this season. So White should be able to hold his own against Hopkins on Sunday.
Jadeveon Clowney/J.J. Watt vs. Dion Dawkins/Jordan Mills
Houston’s strong defensive front is headlined by pass rushers Jadeveon Clowney and J.J. Watt. Both players have combined for 8.5 sacks so far this season, with Watt registering six of them. That total is tied for the league lead. In addition, both players are freak athletes that can beat you in a variety of ways.
Buffalo’s offensive line only allowed one sack last week against the Tennessee Titans, but there’s still a reason to be concerned. The pass protection has been inconsistent, and at times atrocious, this season. The Texans have also been averaging three sacks-per-game at home, too.
Dion Dawkins and Jordan Mills will face arguably the best pass rushing duo the NFL has to offer. This Sunday will present the toughest competition the two tackles will have to prepare for this season.
Deshaun Watson vs. Bills’ pass rush
The Bills’ defense has carried the team to both of its victories this season. The secondary oftentimes gets the credit for their success, but when the pass rush is getting after the quarterback, the unit becomes one of the best in the entire NFL.
This Sunday, Buffalo will have to contain and harass Watson the same way they did to Marcus Mariota in Week 5. The Bills’ defense held Mariota to only 136 total yards (126 passing, 10 rushing). In the process of eliminating Mariota’s impact, Buffalo’s defensive front applied constant pressure and confusion which forced him out of his comfort zone.
In order for the Bills to shut down another young and flashy dual-threat quarterback, they’ll have to follow the same recipe from Week 5 and apply it against Watson and the Texans offense.