Bills face Texans in challenging Week 1 matchup at NRG Stadium
The Buffalo Bills open the 2026 season on the road against the Houston Texans, a venue where they have struggled historically, while both teams look to start strong.
Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen and the Bills travel to Houston for their season opener at NRG Stadium, a site where the franchise has lost six of its last seven games. Bills president and general manager Brandon Beane praised the Texans’ roster, describing it as a potential championship contender and acknowledging the difficulty of the test.
Allen’s previous visits to the venue have been mixed, including a rookie injury in 2018 and sub-par performances in 2024 and last season. The Bills hope to improve their chances by establishing a stronger running game, noting that running back James Cook posted 116 yards in a recent loss.
Houston, under defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, will rely on a pass rush that has previously pressured Allen. Quarterback C.J. Stroud is expected to challenge Bills cornerback Max Hairston, while the Texans’ receiving corps features Nico Collins, Kayshon Boutte and Jaylin Noel.
The Bills’ new wide receiver, DJ Moore, will face a secondary that includes cornerbacks Derek Stingley Jr., Kamari Lassiter and Jalen Pitre, supported by safeties Callen Bullock and Reed Blankenship.
Betting lines list the Bills as 1.5-point underdogs, with a combined over-under of 44.5 points. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. on CBS, with streaming options available through the NFL app, NFL+, and various live-TV services. Radio coverage will be provided by the Bills Radio Network and SiriusXM.