GO BILLS: How to Watch Bills vs Texans: Broadcast Guide, Odds and Injury Updates Ahead of Thursday Night Clash
The Buffalo Bills storm into NRG Stadium riding high after Josh Allen’s six-touchdown explosion dismantled the Buccaneers 44-32, boosting them to 7-3 and tightening their grip on the AFC East race. The Texans, scraping to 5-5 with a gritty 16-13 win over the Titans, face a pivotal Thursday clash at 8:15 p.m. ET. Buffalo’s dynamic offense meets Houston’s top-tier defense, allowing just 16.3 points per game—expect Allen to test those limits in a playoff-positioning showdown under the primetime glare.
Fans nationwide lock onto Amazon Prime Video for the exclusive Thursday Night Football stream, firing up the app on TVs, mobiles, or Fire Sticks for crystal-clear action without blackouts. Buffalo locals catch it on WKBW Channel 7 (ABC) with “Leading The Charge” pregame at 7:30 p.m., while Houston tunes into FOX 26 KRIV for home-team hype. NFL+ offers mobile streaming for out-of-market viewers, keeping the Bills Mafia connected on the go.
Oddsmakers crown the Bills as 5.5-point road favorites, a line jumping from 3.5 amid Houston’s QB uncertainty, with moneyline at -245 for Buffalo and +200 for the Texans. The over/under settles at 43.5, leaning under in this defensive duel where Houston ranks third in yards per play allowed. Sharp bettors eye the Bills’ 72% win probability, but Houston’s home underdog TNF streak tempts value plays on the spread.
Houston’s injury woes deepen with C.J. Stroud sidelined in concussion protocol from Week 9’s Denver hit, paving the way for Davis Mills’ third straight start after his 274-yard Titans effort. Right tackle Tytus Howard (groin) and guard Ed Ingram (knee) practiced fully, but nickel Jalen Pitre (concussion) and kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn (quad) are ruled out, thrusting backup Joey Slye into high-stakes field-goal duties.
Buffalo’s report card brightens post-Bucs, with no new ailments and wideout Khalil Shakir (shoulder) and rookie DT T.J. Sanders (knee) cleared for full participation. Tight end Dalton Kincaid’s hamstring lingers as questionable, potentially nixing his 29 receptions and red-zone threat, but James Cook’s 1,200-plus rushing yards keep the ground game humming. Corner Taron Johnson (groin) eyes a return to bolster the secondary.
In the trenches, Houston’s run defense caps foes at 87.1 yards but falters without Stroud’s quick release—Mills has absorbed eight sacks, ripe for Buffalo’s pass rush. The Bills convert 65.2% on third downs behind a sturdy O-line, setting up Cook for 100-yard outbursts against a Texans front yielding 4.9 yards per carry lately. Stat alert: Buffalo’s eight-game TNF win streak clashes with Houston’s 2-0 home dog mark.
Prop bets sizzle with Josh Allen’s over 1.5 passing TDs at -110 after last week’s trio, plus his anytime TD rush at +150 versus a stacked box. Mills’ over 225.5 passing yards (-115) pairs nicely with Nico Collins’ anytime score (+140) on his recent nine-catch tear. James Cook’s rushing over 85.5 (-110) shines against middling fronts, fueled by Buffalo’s 6.4 yards-per-play dominance.
This Thursday showdown transcends routine TNF fare—it’s an AFC audition where Buffalo’s bounce-back resilience from a Miami stumble meets Houston’s back-to-back survival mode. With Stroud out and Allen unleashed, the Bills hold the edge in a contest that could redefine wild-card fates, delivering edge-of-your-seat drama from the opening kick.
