Josh Allen leads the Buffalo Bills offensively into Week 12 against the Houston Texans on Thursday Night Football. Without Dalton Kincaid sidelined by a hamstring injury, the Bills offense must adapt quickly. James Cook remains healthy at running back. Allen just posted a dominant 6-touchdown performance last week with the team at 7-3.
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🔥 Quick Facts:
- Bills vs. Texans Thursday at 8:15 PM ET on Nov. 20
- Buffalo sits 7-3; Houston is 5-5
- Kincaid out with hamstring injury since Week 10
- Allen threw 3 TDs and ran for 3 more last game
- Bills are 2nd in AFC East behind New England
What’s Changed at Tight End
Dalton Kincaid suffered a right hamstring injury during Week 10 against the Miami Dolphins. He didn’t return to that game. Now, nearly three weeks into recovery, Kincaid remains ruled out for Thursday’s clash.
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The Bills will rely on Dawson Knox and backup options. Knox ran routes on 72% of dropbacks in Kincaid’s absence. He caught just 1 of 3 targets for 23 yards recently. The absence forces Buffalo to redistribute offensive touches and responsibilities across the board.
This creates an opportunity for Josh Allen to showcase his dual-threat abilities. Allen excels when defenses can’t zero in exclusively on receiving options. The Bills have done this successfully before, as seen in their recent dominating victory.
Allen Erupts Heading Into the Matchup
Before Week 12 kicks off, Allen delivered one of his best performances of the season. Against Tampa Bay in Week 11, he threw for 3 touchdowns and ran for 3 more. The Bills dominated 44 points in a convincing victory.
Without Kincaid available, defenses might expect Buffalo to lean heavier on the rushing attack. James Cook got heavy workload with 27 carries last week. Allen moving forward demonstrates the Bills can attack through multiple channels. This momentum matters heading toward the Texans, who allow an NFL-best 163 points this season.
The Texans defense is strong in many areas, but they’ll face a Bills squad fired up after explosive play. Allen has lost three of four career starts against Houston, including his first-ever playoff game.
Depth Chart Shifts Beyond Tight End
| Position | Starter | Status |
| QB | Josh Allen | Active |
| RB | James Cook | Active |
| TE | Dawson Knox | Starting |
| TE | Dalton Kincaid | Out (Hamstring) |
| WR | Khalil Shakir | Active |
Beyond Kincaid, the Bills are also without wide receiver Curtis Samuel due to elbow and neck injuries. Mecole Hardman sits out with strain. Without these weapons, the focus narrows further to Allen’s legs and Cook’s rushing power. The Texans defense will prepare accordingly.
Can the Bills Overcome Houston’s Defense?
The Texans defense ranks among the league’s toughest this season. Several analysts note Houston’s defensive unit as formidable. Yet Buffalo just put up 44 points before Thursday kicks off.
One key storyline involves how much Houston focuses on stopping Cook in the running game. If defenses take away the run, Allen will need to beat them through the air. That’s where losing Kincaid’s additional target matters most.
The Bills have shown offensive balance and firepower recently. Unless injuries continue mounting, Buffalo should manage the Texans’ defense. Allen thrives under adversity. Will the Bills offense continue dominating despite these changes?
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.