Bills Rally Past Texans 36-31 as Josh Allen Finds Joshua Palmer Late for Game-Winning Touchdown.
HOUSTON — The Buffalo Bills opened the 2026 season with a dramatic 36-31 victory over the Houston Texans on Sunday, surviving a wild fourth-quarter battle that came down to the final minutes. With Houston holding a 31-30 advantage late in the fourth quarter, Josh Allen delivered when Buffalo needed him most. The Bills quarterback escaped pressure and connected with Joshua Palmer on a 34-yard touchdown with 1:36 remaining, putting Buffalo back in front. The Bills attempted to add a two-point conversion but failed, leaving Houston with an opportunity to answer. That chance disappeared in the final seconds. Greg Rousseau came up with his second strip sack of the afternoon, forcing C.J. Stroud to fumble at the Buffalo 28-yard line. Terrel Bernard recovered the loose ball, allowing the Bills to run out the clock and secure the victory. Allen finished the afternoon with 334 passing yards and two touchdown passes while also rushing for two scores. The victory was particularly significant for Allen, who earned his first career win in Houston after dropping his previous four games at the venue. Dalton Kincaid was one of Buffalo's biggest offensive weapons, hauling in five receptions for 130 yards. DJ Moore also made an immediate impact in his Bills debut following his offseason trade from Chicago, recording five catches for 100 yards and a touchdown. Moore's touchdown came on a 43-yard reception in the second quarter, extending Buffalo's lead after he caught the ball in front of Reed Blankenship and raced to the end zone. The Bills' offense repeatedly answered Houston's scoring drives throughout the afternoon. Allen gave Buffalo its first lead of the second quarter when he broke loose for a 21-yard rushing touchdown. Houston answered with David Montgomery's second rushing touchdown of the game, an 18-yard score that put the Texans ahead 14-10. Buffalo regained the advantage after a pass-interference penalty against Kamari Lassiter gave the Bills the ball at the Houston 1-yard line. Allen finished the drive himself with a short touchdown run.
Houston refused to go away. Nico Collins hauled in a 12-yard touchdown reception late in the first half, cutting Buffalo's lead to 24-21 heading into halftime. Montgomery was a major factor in Houston's offensive attack throughout the game. Making his Texans debut after being acquired from Detroit during the offseason, he scored three touchdowns, including two rushing scores and a 7-yard touchdown reception that briefly put Houston ahead 28-27 in the fourth quarter. Kaʻimi Fairbairn then connected on a 58-yard field goal with roughly seven minutes remaining to give Houston a 31-30 lead. Buffalo responded with Tyler Bass' 33-yard field goal earlier in the fourth quarter, setting up the late-game drama before Allen orchestrated the decisive possession. The Bills' defense also made several critical plays. Rousseau's first strip sack came during Houston's opening possession, with Ed Oliver recovering the fumble at the Texans' 32-yard line. Buffalo turned the takeaway into a 46-yard field goal from Bass. Stroud finished with 274 passing yards and two touchdown passes, but his two lost fumbles proved costly in the tightly contested opener. Houston initially grabbed a 7-3 lead late in the first quarter after Montgomery scored from one yard out. The drive was highlighted by a 25-yard reception from Collins. The Texans also had a potential game-changing opportunity late in the fourth quarter when Lassiter got both hands on an Allen pass in the end zone, but he couldn't secure the interception. One play later, Allen delivered the winning touchdown to Palmer. Houston linebacker Jake Hummel left the game in the second half with an abdominal injury.
Up Next
The Bills return home Thursday night to face the Detroit Lions in their first game at their new stadium. The Texans will remain at home next Sunday when they host the Cincinnati Bengals.
