Week 9: Bills vs. Texans
at
Sunday, Nov. 4th
1:00pm ET
The Bills get back to work after the bye with a road game against the best team in the AFC. The Texans are also coming off a bye and feature perhaps the best all around defense in the league.

FACTS AND FIGURES

Matchup: Buffalo (3-4) vs. Houston (6-1)
Place: Reliant Stadium
TV/Radio: Network: CBS; DirecTV: 710; Sirius: 134
Announcers: Ian Eagle and Dan Fouts
Spread: Texans by 10
Series: Bills lead 3-2
Streak: Texans won 1
Last Meeting: Texans 31-10 in Buffalo (2009)
Texans Offense: Rush (6th); Pass (18th); overall (9th)
Texans Defense: Rush (4th); Pass (5th); overall (3rd)
Bills Offense: Rush (4th); Pass (29th); overall (19th)
Bills Defense: Rush (32nd); Pass (22nd); overall (31st)


INJURY UPDATE

The Bills expect to get Kraig Urbik back this week which is good news with his backup Chad Rinehart sidelined. Cordy Glenn has a chance to play but Mark Anderson is likely out at least one more week with a knee injury. Terrence McGee is limited with his ongoing knee problem but Mario Williams is ready to go after having a procedure during the bye on his wrist.

The Texans will be without backup RB Ben Tate who has a hamstring injury. NT Shaun Cody is bothered by a back injury other banged up players are practicing.

Check out our Bills Daily Injury Page throughout the week for the latest updates on the injured players.

KEY MATCHUPS

RT Chris Hairston vs. DE J.J. Watt:
Hairston moves over to the right side with Erik Pears hurt and draws defensive MVP candidate Watt. He leads the league with 9.5 sacks and has 52 tackles, 16 for loss.

DE Mario Williams vs. RT Derek Newton:
Williams has a better attitude this week as he is now healthier after undergoing a procedure on his wrist. He also has a bit of a chip on his shoulder going against his former team. Newton is a 2nd year pro making his eight career start.

CB Stephon Gilmore vs. WR Andre Johnson:
Gilmore likes going against the best a team has to offer. Johnson is one of the best in the league. A rather tall order for the rookie.

WR Stevie Johnson vs. CB Kareem Jackson:
Johnson will go up against the third year veteran most of the time, he leads the team with three interceptions.

KEYS TO THE GAME

1. Mario Williams: He is healthier now and goes against his former team. If the fire in the belly isn't strong this week, will it ever be?
2. Slow down Foster: Notice I didn't say stop the run because they can't. I don't think they can even slow down Arian Foster who is among the league's best. Should be a huge day for all of you Foster fantasy owners.
3. Get The Ball To RBs: The Titans defense is near the top in the league in all categories. For the Bills to have success offensively they need to get the ball into the hands of Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller as often as possible whether on the ground or through the air. They need at least 30-40 touches combined for the Bills to do anything offensively.

BILLS DAILY PREDICTION

This is as close to an impossible matchup as can be for the Bills as they are double digit underdogs on the road against one of the top teams in the league. This could get ugly early and will likely be another blowout loss:
Texans 41, Bills 17

Season Prediction Record: (4-3)
Season Record Against The Spread: (3-4)

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