Reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen may have reached the point in the campaign where he’s decided to single-handedly carry the Buffalo Bills.
Fresh off an epic performance, Allen aims to be in top form during a short week when the Bills visit the Houston Texans on Thursday night.
Allen passed for three touchdowns and rushed for three more in Sunday’s 44-32 victory over the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That marked the third time in NFL history that a quarterback had three passing touchdowns and three rushing scores in the same game.
Allen has done it twice, the first time coming last December during a 44-42 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Hall of Famer Otto Graham of the Cleveland Browns also accomplished it during the 1954 NFL title game.
Allen’s 75 career rushing touchdowns are tied with Cam Newton for the all-time regular-season record by a quarterback. Allen has 10 rushing scores this season, third-most in the NFL.
“There’s no need to overthink it,” Bills wideout Khalil Shakir told reporters. “I mean, he’s unreal at everything he does. The best player in the league by far, and he’s going to show that every game day.”
Allen passed for 317 yards against Tampa Bay while leading Buffalo (7-3) to its highest point total of the season. It was the third time the Bills scored at least 40.
Allen (2,456 passing yards, 18 touchdowns) is hoping to thrive versus the Texans (5-5), who have won three of their past four games. Buffalo also has won three of its past four contests.
“We got a game Thursday night, so it’s a completely different team that we’re facing, completely different defense,” Allen said. “Not sure what the game plan is going to look like, but we got to start fast (against Houston).”
Still to be determined is how many of Allen’s targets will be available.
Shakir (personal) and fellow receivers Curtis Samuel (elbow/neck) and Mecole Hardman Jr. (calf) missed two days of workouts, as did tight end Dalton Kincaid (hamstring). Kincaid missed the Tampa Bay game.
Also, receiver Keon Coleman was inactive against the Buccaneers as a disciplinary measure after being late to a team meeting on Friday. His status remains unknown.
Meanwhile, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (concussion) will miss his third straight game. He participated lightly in practice Tuesday but hasn’t cleared the protocol.
Safety Jalen Pitre (concussion) also was ruled out for the third consecutive contest. He is tied with cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. for the team lead of three interceptions.
“Both guys are progressing, they’re doing better,” Houston coach DeMeco Ryans said Tuesday. “But right now with the short turnaround game on Thursday, just don’t have enough days for those guys to be available.”
Davis Mills will start in place of Stroud for the third consecutive week. Ryans said Mills is simply playing within himself.
“Davis is just doing his job,” Ryans said. “It gets heightened with the quarterback position, but it’s no different than any other position. You got to go out and execute the fundamentals and details of your job the right way and that’s all we’re asking from him.”
In two-plus games since Stroud was injured during an 18-15 loss to the Denver Broncos, Mills has completed 70 of 116 throws (60.3%) for 703 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. He also has rushed for a score.
Mills passed for 274 yards and one touchdown in last weekend’s 16-13 road win over the Tennessee Titans.
Led by defensive ends Danielle Hunter (nine sacks) and Will Anderson Jr. (eight), the Texans have a stout all-around defense.
Houston leads the NFL in scoring defense (16.3 points per game) and total defense (258.1 yards per game) and stands third in rushing defense at 87.1.
Houston linebacker Jamal Hill (hamstring) hasn’t practiced the past two days. His value lies on special teams.
The Texans registered a 23-20 home win over the Bills last season when Ka’imi Fairbairn kicked a 59-yard field goal as time expired.
