Top 3 things we learned from Bills vs. Texans

So how does this Buffalo defense want to be recognized?

“We are an attack-oriented defense and we have to protect that reputation,” Oliver said. “We’re going to play downhill with the linebackers, and our DBs are going to break the ball and our D-line is going to go in. It’s that simple.”

The Bills set the tone early with a fourth save in the first quarter, after Allen saw his first pass of the afternoon intercepted by Texans defenseman Justin Reid and came back to the 13-yard line. Buffalo. The Texans handed the ball twice to running back Mark Ingram for a total of seven yards, placing third and -3 with the end zone six yards away.

Jerry Hughes stuffed the next winless run attempt. When the Texans left their offense on the field for the fourth down, the Hughes charged Mills and tipped his incomplete pass attempt.

“Honestly, we are treating this like a takeout,” said security Micah Hyde, a defensive captain. “It’s so much momentum for us. You know, it’s not great for offense to give football away, but while we’re running on the pitch, we always come together and we always say, ‘Hey, that’s us, that’s what we have to do. And we will always defend a blade of grass. “

That moment marked the start of what would be a tough day for Mills, who came on the heels of scoring 95.5 against a talented Carolina defense in week two. Buffalo has gotten into the habit of making life difficult for rookie quarterbacks in four seasons. Under head coach Sean McDermott, holding the first-year passer to a 1-4 record and a 66.8 passer rating entering Sunday.

Mills finished with 87 yards and four interceptions for a score of 23.4. The Texans registered -23 clear passing yards in the first half, the lowest score of any team since 1999 according to ESPN Stats and Info. Receiver Brandin Cooks, who entered the NFL third in receiving and receiving yards on Sunday, was limited to just 47 yards on five catches.

Tremaine Edmunds read Mills’ eyes and intercepted an attempted pass to the center for Buffalo’s first turnaround. Linebacker AJ Klein – replacing injured Matt Milano – made a pass that led to Hyde’s interception in the second quarter.

Safety Jaquan Johnson and cornerback Cam Lewis – replacing injured starters Jordan Poyer and Taron Johnson respectively – both found a way to leave their fingerprints on the shutout. Lewis forced a fumble by hitting wide receiver Jordan Akins’ ball, which Klein recovered. Johnson intercepted a deep ball from Mills in the fourth quarter.

The Bills have produced at least three turnovers in each of the last three games since failing to force a takeaway in their Week 1 loss to the Steelers.

“They come in clusters, and we know that,” Hyde said. “So keep attacking football.”

The Bills become the third team since 1990 to record shutouts in two of their first four games, joining Washington in 1991 and Baltimore in 2000. Their 44 points allowed are the second-smallest in team history in the four. first games of a season.

It’s a solid reputation to have a quarter of the way of the season. Yet Oliver was adamant they hadn’t proven anything yet.

“The playoffs,” he said. “That’s what I found out in this league. It doesn’t matter what you’re doing right now, it depends on how you’re playing at the time. We’re getting ready to play well then. know what time it is when we get there. “