The Buffalo Bills are getting an immediate shot to put a long-running oddity to bed.
When the 2026 season opens, Buffalo will head to Houston to face the Texans, and that means the Bills will try to snap a road drought that has somehow stretched all the way back to November 19, 2006. That was the last time Buffalo won in Houston.
A lot has changed since then. The Nintendo Wii had just been released in North America that same day.
Twitter had only recently launched publicly. Hannah Montana had just wrapped its first season on Disney Channel.
Josh Allen was 10 years old.
Buffalo’s last win there came in a game that turned into a Lee Evans showcase. Both teams were 3-6 entering that Week 11 matchup, but Evans made sure it stood out anyway.
On Buffalo’s opening drive, J.P. Losman hit him for an 83-yard touchdown.
On the next possession, the pair connected again for another 83-yard score. Evans finished with 11 catches for 265 yards, setting the Bills’ single-game receiving record.
That mark still stands.
It also remains the last time the Bills left Houston with a victory.
Since then, Buffalo has gone back six times and lost all six. Four of those defeats have come with Allen at quarterback.
The streak started in Allen’s rookie year in 2018, when he was knocked out with an elbow injury and Nathan Peterman took over. Peterman briefly put Buffalo ahead with a touchdown pass, then threw two interceptions, including the pick-six that swung the game.
The Bills’ next trip came in the 2019 Wild Card game, played in January 2020. Buffalo built a 16-0 lead, only to watch Houston storm back and win 22-19 in overtime.
More pain followed in 2024. The Bills erased a 20-3 deficit, but Ka’imi Fairbairn drilled a 59-yard field goal as time expired to hand Houston a 23-20 win. Allen finished 9 of 30 passing in that loss.
Then came 2025, and another Texans win, 23-19. Allen was sacked eight times and intercepted twice as Houston’s defense controlled the game.
That leaves Allen 0-4 in Houston.
A season opener always brings noise, nerves and overreaction. This one brings nearly two decades of baggage too. For Buffalo, the assignment is simple: go to Houston and finally win.
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
The Bills have at least put a temporary pin in one of their quieter training camp competitions, naming Dee Alford as their primary punt returner on the first unofficial depth chart for the season opener against the Houston Texans. It is only a starting point, of course, but it gives Buffalo a clearer picture heading into Week 1 and puts Alford in position to handle a role that can swing field position in a hurry.
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 🡒]