Defensive end Will Anderson Jr. led Houston’s harassment of Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen on Thursday night in the Texans’ 23-19 victory over the Bills to kick off Week 12 of the NFL’s 2025 season.
The Texans sacked Allen eight times, the most in his 134 NFL games. Anderson recorded 2.5 of Houston’s sacks as the former Alabama All-American tied the franchise single-season record for consecutive games with at least one sack with his sixth in a row.
Anderson sacked Allen for a 10-yard loss to push Buffalo back to the Houston 26-yard line as the Bills settled for a field goal and a 9-3 lead with 9:35 left in the first half.
Anderson sacked Allen for an 18-yard loss on a third-and-6 snap from the Buffalo 43 in the third quarter.
Anderson and defensive tackle Mario Edwards sacked Allen for a 7-yard loss on third-and-20 from the Bills 37 with 51 seconds to play.
Anderson made six tackles and broke up one pass. Anderson now has 10.5 sacks in 2025 – one-half behind his 2024 total with six regular-season games remaining.
Anderson almost had a fourth sack, but when he tackled Allen from behind in the first quarter, he knocked the quarterback forward for a 2-yard gain.
Allen completed 24-of-34 passes for 253 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions and ran five times for 20 yards.
Houston won its third straight game with Davis Mills in at quarterback for injured starter C.J. Stroud. Mills completed 16-of-30 passes for 153 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.
In addition to Anderson, nine other players from Alabama high schools and colleges got on the field during the Buffalo-Houston game at NRG Stadium:
Jake Andrews (Stanhope Elmore, Troy) started at center for the Texans.
Nico Collins (Clay-Chalkville) started at wide receiver for the Texans. Collins had three receptions for 55 yards.
Texans defensive tackle Marlon Davidson (Greenville, Auburn) is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.
Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (Alabama A&M) is on the physically-unable-to-perform list and not eligible to play.
Bills offensive tackle Tylan Grable (Jacksonville State) is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.
Texans linebacker Christian Harris (Alabama) did not record any stats.
Tytus Howard (Monroe County, Alabama State) started at left guard for the Texans.
Kamari Lassiter (American Christian) started at cornerback for the Texans. Lassiter made five tackles, recorded two tackles for loss and broke up one pass.
Bills defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis (Alabama) was designated as a game-day inactive. A shoulder injury kept Mathis off the field for the second game in a row.
Bills wide receiver Tyrell Shavers (Alabama) did not record any stats.
Texans cornerback Tremon Smith (Saks) had a 20-yard kickoff return.
Bills defensive end Javon Solomon (Troy) made one tackle on special teams.
Henry To’oTo’o (Alabama) started at linebacker for the Texans. To’oTo’o made seven tackles and recorded one sack. He has 2.5 sacks this season.
Texans safety Jimmie Ward (Davidson) is on reserve/physically unable to perform and not eligible to play.
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In its next game, Buffalo (7-4) plays the Pittsburgh Steelers at 3:25 p.m. CST Nov. 30 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh.
Houston (6-5) plays the Indianapolis Colts at noon Nov. 30 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins holds onto the football for a reception during an NFL game against the Buffalo Bills on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, at NRG Stadium in Houston.
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins holds onto the football for a reception during an NFL game against the Buffalo Bills on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, at NRG Stadium in Houston.(AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
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