Three key games to watch in the Bills’ Week 5 showdown with the Texans

Bills Mafia has been looking forward to the Buffalo Bills’ Week 5 matchup with the Houston Texans since the schedule was announced. Many fans will have their eyes on Stefon Diggs, and the media is making this about Josh Allen versus his former teammate; however, last time I checked they both play offense and don’t share the court without warmups. While Diggs’ influence in this match will be significant, the game features other crucial matchups.

The Bills are again struggling with injuries this season and will have to do without key players Khalil Shakir, Ed Oliver and Taylor Rapp. They could get Taron Johnson and Terrel Bernard back, with Bernard looking more likely than Johnson. The Texans have announced that they will not bring back Joe Mixon and will likely include Cam Akers. The Bills’ run defense was not good, while their pass defense was elite. How will the Texans attack the Bills and vice versa? Here are the key matchups from this huge Week 5 battle between Buffalo and Houston.

Related: Which Bills WR is likely to step up now that Khalil Shakir is out against the Texans?

The Bills’ offensive line was dominant through the first three weeks of the season, giving up just two sacks; However, against Baltimore in Week 4, they were just plain bad. The Ravens got to Allen three times and faced multiple pressures along the way. This week they have a chance to bounce back, and if the Bills want to come away with a win, they’ll have to protect Allen from Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson, who are one of the better pass-rushing duos in football. They have recorded four sacks and 34 total pressures on the season so far.

This could be a big game for James Cook. The Texans’ defense is allowing 4.7 yards per rush attempt, and Cook is averaging 4.5 yards. There will be plays in the run game for Cook, and controlling the clock could be a big advantage for the Bills. Keeping their injury-decimated defense off the field as much as possible should be a focus, and Cook could benefit from that approach.

Related: Veteran Bills DE fined by NFL for knee incident in Week 4 vs. Ravens

Houston has one of the best wide receiver duos in the league in Stefon Diggs and Nico Collins. Collins leads the NFL in receiving yards and is fourth in receptions, while Diggs is seventh. Texans quarterback CJ Stroud is sixth in passing yards. The Bills starting corners, Christian Benford and Rasul Douglas, form one of the best cornerback tandems in the league and have been excellent against opposing receivers. Benford was recently named to PFF’s first-quarter All-Pro team and is having a fantastic season, with opposing quarterbacks having a passer rating of just 14.6 when targeting him. Diggs has seen a slew of snaps in the slot this season, so how often Benford or Douglas see him remains to be seen; However, electric sophomore pass-catcher Tank Dell will return to Houston’s lineup this week, so Buffalo’s corners will have their hands full regardless.

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