The Texans four-game win streak ended on Sunday as they fell 30-21 to the Buffalo Bills. Despite three touchdown passes by Brian Hoyer, Houston was unable to come away with the victory.
Hoyer was 26-of-43 for 293 yards and threw three touchdowns, compiling a 94.4 passer rating. The Texans offense put up 401 yards was also 3-of-3 in red zone.
Early mistakes and penalties hurt the Texans, who were flagged 10 times for 89 yards on the game. After a slow start in the first half where they allowed 204 yards, Houston's defense gained steam after halftime keeping the Bills scoreless until the fourth quarter. Jadeveon Clowney had three tackles, two for a loss, one quarterback hit and a sack in the game.
Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor completed 11-of-21 for 211 yards. Taylor accounted for every Buffalo score, as he threw three touchdown passes and rushed for another. LeSean McCoy keyed the Bills rushing attack, gaining 112 yards on 21 carries.
DeAndre Hopkins also gained steam in the fourth quarter, after recording just one catch in the first half. Hopkins scored on a 19-yard touchdown reception and finished the game with five grabs for 88 yards. Cecil Shorts III led all Texans receivers with six catches for 91 yards.
The Bills took an early 7-0 lead after Tyrod Taylor threw a three-yard touchdown pass to Sammy Watkins on Buffalo's first possession.
Houston responded with an 11-play, 80-yard drive. Chris Polk rushed for 20 yards on the scoring drive that ended in an 8-yard touchdown pass from Brian Hoyer to Ryan Griffin. Nick Novak missed the extra point attempt.
Taylor's 8-yard touchdown run gave Bills a 14-6 lead at the start of the second quarter.
Hoyer added a 14-yard scramble and a keeper on third-and-1 to set up the Texans second scoring drive. One play later, Chris Polk caught an 11-yard touchdown pass. The Texans trailed 14-13 with 3:57 left in second quarter.
Momentum shifted when Taylor threw a deep 53-yard pass to Watkins to start the ensuing drive. The Bills took a 21-13 lead heading into halftime, following a two-yard touchdown pass to Robert Woods.
The Texans emerged in the second half with momentum of their own. Charles James II downed the first two Shane Lechler punts of the third quarter inside the Houston 10-yard line. Buffalo's only scoring opportunity in the third-quarter was on a missed 50-yard field goal.
Hopkins scored on a 19-yard touchdown reception with 9:12 left in the fourth quarter. Hoyer threw two deep passes to Hopkins for 23 and 29 yards on the six-play, 83-yard drive. The two-point conversion to Jonathan Grimes was successful, tying the game at 21.
Taylor threw his third touchdown of the day with less than two minutes left in the fourth quarter. A 40-yard pass to tight end Charles Clay gave the Bills a 27-21 lead as Dan Carpenter missed the extra point attempt.
The Texans received the ball with 1:53 remaining, but were unable to score and turned it over on downs. Carpenter added a 36-yard field goal just two plays later to give Houston the ball with 0:37 left in the game.
With the loss, the Texans fall to 6-6 and will host the New England Patriots next Sunday night.
The Texans faced the Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Week 13.
