C.J. Stroud throws two TDs, Nico Collins posts 139 yards as Houston Texans top Buffalo Bills 27-21 in Week 1

Houston, TX - C.J. Stroud threw for 268 yards and two touchdowns, Nico Collins produced the game's biggest receiving total and the Houston Texans opened Week 1 with a 27-21 victory over the Buffalo Bills.

Houston finished with 396 offensive yards, 104 more than Buffalo, while gaining 268 yards through the air and 128 on the ground. The Texans also converted 8 of 14 third downs and scored on all three of their red-zone trips, finishing those opportunities with two touchdowns and a field goal.

Stroud completed 19 of 31 passes, posted a 110.6 passer rating and did not throw an interception. His longest completion went for 63 yards. Collins accounted for more than half of Houston's receiving production, catching six passes for 139 yards and a touchdown. His performance included a 63-yard reception.

Tank Dell gave Stroud another consistent target with seven catches for 57 yards and a touchdown. Together, Collins and Dell combined for 13 receptions, 196 yards and both of Houston's receiving scores.

"Nico and Tank gave us a lot of production, and I trusted them to finish when the ball came their way," Stroud said. "We were clean with the football, and there are still areas where we can be sharper. But opening with a win is the result we wanted."

Collins' 139 yards stood as the most productive individual receiving performance in the game. His average of more than 23 yards per reception gave Houston a downfield dimension that was reflected in the Texans' advantage in passing yardage.

"I wanted to be strong with every opportunity," Collins said. "Six catches can look a lot of different ways, so the yards after those opportunities mean something to me. The touchdown was good, but the team result is what we'll remember."

Houston also received 88 rushing yards from David Montgomery, who carried 17 times and recorded a long run of 28 yards. The Texans finished with 128 rushing yards as a team, edging Buffalo's total of 119.

The Texans' defense recorded three sacks and did not register an interception. Henry To’oTo’o was credited with 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble, while Will Anderson Jr added a sack. Houston also limited Buffalo to five conversions in 12 third-down attempts.

Buffalo still received an efficient performance from Josh Allen. He completed 18 of 26 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns, finishing with a 113.1 passer rating that was slightly higher than Stroud's mark. Allen also led the Bills with 64 rushing yards on six carries, including a 32-yard run.

"There were good things in the passing game, and I was able to contribute with my legs, but we finished six points short," Allen said. "That's the number that stays with you. We had 292 offensive yards, and we know we can demand more from ourselves."

DJ Moore caught four passes for 67 yards and a touchdown, while Joshua Palmer led Buffalo with seven receptions, totaling 57 yards and a score. Dalton Kincaid added five catches for 38 yards. James Cook III supplied Buffalo's other touchdown on the ground, but he was held to 48 yards on 21 carries with a longest run of seven yards.

The Bills were perfect on two red-zone trips, scoring touchdowns on both, and converted one of their two fourth-down attempts. Houston went 1-for-1 on fourth down and generated two more successful third-down conversions than Buffalo.

The quarterback play was efficient on both sides: Stroud and Allen combined for four touchdown passes, and neither defense recorded an interception. Houston's larger offensive total provided the clearest statistical separation, with the Texans gaining 95 more passing yards and nine more rushing yards.

Buffalo recorded 15 first downs to Houston's 13, but the Texans finished with the higher yardage total and the better third-down rate. Houston also registered three sacks compared with one by the Bills.

For Stroud, Collins and the Texans, those numbers accompanied the result that mattered most: a six-point victory at home. Houston left Week 1 with a 27-21 win over Buffalo.