Buffalo Edges Houston in High-Scoring Season Opener

September 13, 2026 - 22:01

The Buffalo Bills opened their season with a 36-31 victory over the Houston Texans, but the game was far closer than many expected. Josh Allen connected with Joshua Palmer on a 34-yard touchdown pass with just 1:36 left on the clock, giving Buffalo the lead for good after a back-and-forth contest that kept fans on edge until the final whistle.

Allen finished the day with a strong stat line, mixing deep throws with timely runs when the pocket collapsed. Palmer's late score capped a drive that started with good field position and featured several key third-down conversions. The Texans had one last chance to answer, but the Bills defense held firm in the closing seconds.

Houston showed plenty of fight on offense, moving the ball effectively for much of the afternoon. Their ground game found room against a Buffalo front that looked winded at times. Still, the Texans could not convert their final possession into points when it mattered most.

Buffalo heads into the next week with a win but plenty to clean up. Missed tackles and a few costly penalties kept Houston within striking distance. The Texans leave with a loss but clear signs that their offense can compete.