The predator turned prey Thursday night in Houston.
Five days after catching six touchdowns, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen was mauled by the Houston Texans’ top pass rush, who had a career-high eight catches and zero TDs in a 23-19 loss.
Allen took the blame for the rough play and for taking all those sacks.
“It’s not fun. I hit a couple myself,” Allen said via the team’s official transcript. “I’ve got to be better at throwing the ball away, live to see another down, let us play situational football and pin them deep. Too often, I was going backwards, and I’ve got to be better at that.”
Allen certainly could have avoided a few sacks, but others he missed and choked on the jump. The Bills’ offensive line was repeatedly bullied by Will Anderson Jr., Danielle Hunter and the Texans’ ferocious performance.
“It’s a tough night,” left tackle Dion Dawkins said. “Probably won’t be able to sleep. When I see the kid get hit and he’s rolling on the ground, it’s a tough day for the boys.”
The turnover came in the second quarter when Allen was hit from behind after escaping the pocket and fell awkwardly to the ground. The QB said he hit his shoulder and felt numb. He didn’t let himself be missed.
“When they hit the quarterback 12 times, I don’t like it,” coach Sean McDermott said. “I don’t like those stats at all. It’s not a healthy way to play or a healthy way to keep our quarterback healthy for the rest of the season. So it’s just not a good formula there.”
Allen completed 24 of 34 passes for 253 yards and two touchdowns. It’s his second no-hitter this season. The Bills are 2-7 in Allen’s career as a starter when he doesn’t catch a pass or a touchdown.
Falling to 7-4, Buffalo is now two games behind New England in the AFC East and has fallen to No. 5 in the conference. The Texans, who currently hold a potential tie over the Bills, are ranked No. 8 at 6-5.