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The AFC playoff picture heats up immediately in Week 12 as the Buffalo Bills travel to NRG Stadium to take on the Houston Texans for Thursday Night Football. Both teams are riding momentum from Week 11 wins, setting the stage for a critical cross-divisional matchup where playoff positioning hangs in the balance.
This matchup is a battle for divisional survival. The Bills (7-3) currently sit two games behind the AFC East-leading New England Patriots (9-2), while the Texans (5-5) are fighting to catch the pace-setting Indianapolis Colts (8-2) in the AFC South. With a win, both teams can gain crucial ground to keep the pressure on their rivals as the regular season enters the home stretch.
The primary storyline revolves around the quarterback matchup — or lack thereof. Reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen is coming off a massive performance, putting up 357 total yards and six total touchdowns in the Bills’ Week 11 win, and he is playing at an elite level. However, the availability of Texans star C.J. Stroud is uncertain as he deals with a concussion that has sidelined him for the past two games. If Stroud cannot clear protocol, the Texans will rely on veteran Davis Mills to manage the offense, a substantial downgrade that dramatically shifts the game’s dynamic and places the burden squarely on Houston’s defense.
The Bills boast one of the most explosive offenses in the league, capable of putting up points in bunches behind Allen’s dual-threat ability. However, they face a formidable challenge in the Houston defense, which, despite the Texans’ overall record, has quietly been one of the NFL’s best units this season. Houston entered the week ranked near the top in both points and yards allowed per game, presenting a test for Allen and the Buffalo attack, especially on a short week of preparation.
With one of the best players in football in primetime, there’s sure to be fireworks as two talented rosters go at it. Follow along for updates below.
STREAM: Watch Bills vs. Texans live with Amazon Prime
Bills vs. Texans live updates, highlights from ‘Monday Night Football’Bills 6, Texans 3
8:38 p.m. FIELD GOAL: Houston is unable to punch it in.
Mills tries hitting Christian Kirk on an out-route on third down, but it comes up unsuccessful.
Kaimi Fairbairn comes in to hit a 24 yard field goal and Buffalo’s lead is cut in half.
8:36 p.m.: The Texans have a promising first-year running back in Woody Marks, and he has his first big play of the game.
On 2nd & 10, Marks takes a carry to the Buffalo 25.
The next play, Mills tosses it to Marks on a pitch to the right side, and Marks once again takes it for a first down. Houston is inside the 10-yard line.
8:34 p.m.: The Texans have their first first down on the play, with Nick Chubb taking a carry right up the middle. It goes for seven yards, and Houston is across midfield.
Two plays later, Mills rolls out on a play-action pass and connects with Higgins for nine yards.
8:32 p.m.: Houston will start its second drive in good territory, after Jaylin Noel returns the kickoff to the Houston 41 for 37 yards.
Bills 6, Texans 0
8:28 p.m. TOUCHDOWN: We have our first big play of the game, and it gets Buffalo on the board.
On 2nd & inches, Allen hands it to superstar back James Cook, who bursts up the middle and is gone, just like that.
JAMES COOK 45-YARD HOUSE CALL!
BUFvsHOU on Prime Video
Also streaming on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/QS19hAa6dx
— NFL (@NFL) November 21, 2025
Buffalo misses the extra point, but it’s a 45-yard touchdown for Cook to open the scoring. The fourth-year back, who is second in rushing yards behind Jonathan Taylor, is now over 1,000 on the season.
8:26 p.m.: Facing a 3rd & 8, Allen swings the ball out to Ty Johnson, who has blockers and runs upfield for a first down.
The next play, Allen hits Dawson Knox, who brings it right by the sticks.
8:23 p.m.: The Bills decide to go for it on 4th & 1 in their own territory, and it’s Allen who leaps over the pile and keeps the drive going.
Buffalo has a new set of downs.
8:18 p.m.: On the first third down of the game, Mills tries hitting Jayden Higgins on a wheel route but it comes up incomplete.
Houston goes three-and-out to open the game, and Josh Allen and the Bills offense are on the field for the first time.
8:16 p.m.: Buffalo has kicked off, and we are underway in Houston.
Davis Mills and the Texans offense has the ball first.
8:08 p.m.: It’s a big matchup tonight when it comes to AFC playoff implications.
While Buffalo will remain in a wild card spot with a win, it will pick up critical ground on New England. For Houston, a win propels them into playoff positioning, as it has the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
7:52 p.m.: Kickoff is less than half an hour away, and Josh Allen and the Bills are looking for their second straight victory.
Play for each other. 😤@DriveToyota | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/Ttb5Yf0Pba
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) November 21, 2025
Buffalo currently sits at 7-3, chasing the New England Patriots (9-2) for the AFC East. With a win tonight, Buffalo would be one game behind.
7:40 p.m.: Houston is breaking out their alternate red uniforms for tonight’s primetime matchup.
They’re Red and they’re perfect 😍 pic.twitter.com/gVUQfdOwCu
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) November 21, 2025
7:32 p.m.: Allen and the Bills offense is coming off a 44-point performance, but they have no easy feat tonight.
The Houston defense ranks first in the NFL in yards per game and points per game, while also being 3rd in passing yards per game. Derek Stingley, Danielle Hunter and co. look to give the MVP a tough night.
˙˙˙uoos sɹnoɥ ʎɹɐɔS pic.twitter.com/c3GFLkTPv1
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) November 21, 2025
7:07 p.m.: For Week 13, players will wear special cleats for the “My Cause, My Cleats initiative.”
Wearing heat on the feet for a great reason 🔥❤️#MyCauseMyCleats
To find out more information and ways to donate for each player’s cause go to https://t.co/dNG4C4VKyh pic.twitter.com/hMNonZxmLj
— NFL (@NFL) November 21, 2025
Josh Allen is repping Oishei Children’s Hospital, where he has a special relationship with many of the patients. Allen even teared up when they made him a video after winning the 2024 NFL MVP.
Josh Allen representing Oishei Children’s Hospital for #MyCauseMyCleats ❤️ @BuffaloBills
Learn more: https://t.co/2RlmCstARI
BUFvsHOU on Prime Video
Also streaming on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/aEQhDqK3oi
— NFL (@NFL) November 21, 2025
6:50 p.m.: Houston has announced its inactives for tonight, headlined by quarterback C.J. Stroud.
Our inactives for #HOUvsBUF ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/ZHcaGwmHDf
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) November 20, 2025
6:48 p.m.: While Coleman headlines the Buffalo inactives, the offense will also be without receiver Curtis Samuel. Here’s the full list of Buffalo inactives for tonight’s game.
Tonight’s inactives for #BUFvsHOU. @UBMDOrtho | #GoBills pic.twitter.com/ZbyuThnXAB
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) November 20, 2025
6:45 p.m.: For the second straight week, Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman will be a healthy scratch.
Bills WR Keon Coleman is expected to be a healthy scratch for a second straight game, a source told ESPN’s @agetzenberg.https://t.co/zDtPSzA8Nc
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 20, 2025
Coleman was spotted pregame talking with Bills minority owner Tracy McGrady before Thursday’s game.
Bills minority stake owner Tracy McGrady and Keon Coleman have been talking for several minutes on the field pregame. pic.twitter.com/xXdAb5CMIv
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) November 20, 2025
5:54 p.m.: With kickoff a few hours away, let’s revisit Josh Allen’s first ever playoff game, which came against the Texans.
When Josh Allen scored a receiving TD in the 2019 Wild Card 😤
BUFvsHOU– Tonight 8:15pm ET on Prime Video
Also streaming on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/2O9IduVQkS
— NFL (@NFL) November 20, 2025
Allen, who was in his second year in the NFL, finished completing 24-of-46 passing for 264 yards, while adding 92 rushing yards on nine carries and a 16-yard receiving touchdown on a trick play. The Bills lost the game 22–19 in overtime after blowing a 16–0 lead.
5:45 p.m.: Both teams have started arriving for tonight’s contest. Texans WR Nico Collins caught nine passes for 92 yards and a touchdown last time out against the Titans, and he looks to have another big day against the Buffalo secondary.
.@lbg_nico7 is ready for TNF 🔥 pic.twitter.com/55EzrABBqX
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) November 20, 2025Where to watch Bills vs. TexansBills vs. Texans start timeDate: Thursday, Nov. 20Start time: 8:15 p.m. ET
The Bills and Texans will kick off Week 12 with “Thursday Night Football” from NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.
What channel is Bills vs. Texans on today?
“Thursday Night Football” will air on Prime Video. Like every week, Al Michaels will be on play-by-play with Kirk Herbstreit on color. Kaylee Hartung will be on the sidelines.
Bills remaining 2025 scheduleDate OpponentTime (ET)11/30at Steelers4:25 PM12/07vs. Bengals4:25 PM12/14at Patriots1:00 PM12/21at Browns1:00 PM12/28vs. Eagles4:25 PM01/04vs. JetsTBDTexans remaining 2025 schedule DateOpponentTime (ET)11/30at Colts1:00 PM12/07at Chiefs8:20 PM12/14vs. Cardinals1:00 PM12/21vs. Raiders4:25 PM12/28at ChargersTBD01/04vs. ColtsTBD