The Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans are headed into Week 1 with defensive game plans that ought to look almost like mirror images.
Houston has already made its identity clear on that side of the ball. The Texans have turned into the NFL’s most blitz-averse team, and it makes sense when you look at the pass-rush talent they can lean on. Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter both topped 80 pressures during the regular season a year ago, so there’s little need for Houston to get exotic.
Buffalo should be thinking the opposite in Houston on Sunday.
Against C.J. Stroud, the Bills need to turn up the pressure and make the blitz part of the plan.
Stroud’s numbers tell the story. In the regular season as a pro, his Expected Points Added per drop back ranks 41st out of 66 qualifying quarterbacks when blitzed.
In 2025 alone, he was 27th out of 38 qualifiers in EPA per drop back against the blitz.
Last season, Stroud posted a -0.017 EPA per drop back when blitzed, which was nearly the same as Atlanta Falcons Kirk Cousins in all situations. But when Stroud wasn’t blitzed, the difference was dramatic. His +0.167 EPA per drop back without blitzes was sixth-best among qualifying quarterbacks and almost matched Patrick Mahomes’ entire 2025 season, while sitting just below Josh Allen’s overall EPA per drop back of +0.171.
That’s the kind of split Buffalo should be targeting.
Jim Leonhard’s background points in that direction too. During his two seasons as pass-game coordinator on the defensive side in Denver, the Broncos blitzed on 32.4% of opponents’ drop backs, the fifth-highest rate in football. That’s a sharp break from Buffalo’s 22.0% blitz rate across 2024 and 2025 combined, which ranked fourth-lowest in the NFL.
Leonhard’s collegiate track record, his time in Denver, and his more aggressive schematic tendencies compared with the McDermott era all lined up as reasons Buffalo brought him in as the team’s new defensive coordinator in late January.
Houston’s rebuilt offensive line gives the Bills another reason to attack. The Texans retooled up front for the second straight season, adding Evan Brown after he spent the past two years in Arizona as the starting center before being a cap casualty in March.
They also used a first-round pick on Georgia Tech guard Keylan Rutledge. The biggest free-agent investment came at right tackle with Braden Smith, but he’s now on IR after suffering a foot injury in August.
That’s a major setback for Houston, and it gives Buffalo a clear opportunity to test the Texans’ blocking cohesion and communication early and often.
There’s little reason to expect Houston to change its own approach against Josh Allen and the Bills, and Leonhard should stick to the pressure-package style that brought him to Buffalo in the first place.
In Other News...
Drake Maye Just Reinforced Josh Allens Grip On The AFC East
Drake Mayes 2026 season opener was the kind of start that does little to shake up the AFC East hierarchy. Even with better help around him in New England, the Patriots quarterback had a rough afternoon against Seattle, throwing three interceptions and finishing with a 54.9 passer rating in a loss to a Seahawks defense that made life difficult from the start.
For Buffalo, the bigger takeaway is familiar: Josh Allen still sits comfortably at the top of the divisions quarterback pecking order. Maye is still trying to find steadier footing and prove he can consistently move the Patriots forward, but this debut only underscored how much ground New England still has to make up before it can seriously threaten the Bills in the AFC East. [Read more 🡒]
Bills Punt Return Battle Finally Has A Week 1 Front-Runner
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Ray Davis and Khalil Shakir are next in line on the depth chart, giving the Bills a couple of familiar options behind Alford as they sort out special teams roles for the opener. Buffalo also has veteran return specialist Greg Dortch on the practice squad, and his presence gives the team another possible answer if the need arises as the roster gets finalized for game day. [Read more 🡒]
Josh Allen Faces A Week 1 Problem Bills Fans Know Too Well
Josh Allens track record in Houston is one of those quirks Bills fans know by heart, and it does not exactly inspire comfort heading into another matchup with the Texans. Across four road starts against Houston, including the postseason, Allen has had a hard time finding rhythm, with the Texans consistently closing down the pocket and making life difficult for Buffalos offense.
Houstons pass rush has been a major reason why, with All-Pro edge players Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter helping turn Allens mobility into less of a weapon than usual. Buffalo is hoping a new wrinkle in the receiving room can help change the equation, especially against a defense that likes to challenge quarterbacks with man coverage. [Read more 🡒]