Texans Deflate Declining AFC East Team Before Patriots Matchup

The AFC East went from a recent juggernaut to a column of mediocrity to start the 2024 season. The New England Patriots are unencouraging in a rebuild. The Miami Dolphins don't have a quarterback. The New York Jets can't get right with Aaron Rodgers and the Buffalo Bills regressed from an undefeated start.

Buffalo mustered 20 points while Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud found a rhythm, including six passes for 82 yards to ex-Bills star wideout Stefon Diggs. On the other side, Josh Allen completed less than a third of his passes, going 9-for-30 through the air for just 131 yards and a touchdown to rookie wideout Keon Coleman.

The Texans held on for the 23-20 win to down the Bills for a second consecutive loss. Buffalo started the season 3-0 with at least 30 points in each victory. Since then, losses to the Texans and the Baltimore Ravens diminished Buffalo's identity while averaging just 16.5 points per game.

That leaves the Bills at 3-2, still in first place in the division, as each team tries to establish its own brand of football in an uninspiring year for the AFC East.

The Bills will be on the road in Week 6 to face the Jets in an AFC East battle, while the 4-1 Texans will visit the 1-4 Patriots at Gillette Stadium.