The Houston Texans and the Buffalo Bills meet up for an AFC wild-card encounter to kickoff wild-card weekend at 3:35 p.m. on ESPN/ABC. To get ready for the matchup, Nick Wojton, the managing editor for the Bills Wire, answered a few questions.
Texans Wire: For AFC East teams, are you guys just thankful to get into the tournament given the Patriots’ dominance?
Nick Wojton: I think this tune is slowly started to turn based on the Patriots’ struggles this season. That, and this is the second time in three seasons the Bills have made the playoffs. But with that in mind, the Bills are heading down to Houston in much more of a “winning” mindset as opposed to 2017. The Bills can only play the hand they’re dealt and after Week 15, they already locked up the wild-card. By comparison, Buffalo needed a Week 17 miracle by Andy Dalton to get in the dance in 2017. Much different feelings with some Patriots wishful thinking involved.
TW: The Bills were 6-2 on the road with a 1-1 record against playoff teams. What made Buffalo so good as the away team?
NW: Well worth-noting: The Bills beat the Titans on the road. That was when Marcus Mariota was still starting. I can’t believing I’m saying this in 2019, but the Bills did not beat the Ryan Tannehill-led Titans. But to your point, the Bills did beat a few decent teams on the road such as the Steelers and Cowboys. Not to knock Buffalo fans at all, they’re passionate and there’s going to be a ton there on Saturday, I’d bet (not that we’ll be able to tell who is who in the crowd since these teams share colors). But away from home the Bills have kept things simple and they almost thrive off of quieting an opposing building.
tw: how is former texans first-round cb kevin johnson working out?
NW: Kevin Johnson had a great preseason and many wondered if he should start over incumbent Levi Wallace at the No. 2 corner spot. After early struggles, Johnson has seen some playing time, but it’s about a 65-35 split still in favor of Wallace. In the regular season, Johnson hasn’t exactly stood out, but let’s not forget. He’s a defender. If he’s not standing out, that’s not the worst thing in the world. He hasn’t been beaten for big plays at all this season. Truthfully, the Bills might get their best look at Johnson this weekend as Wallace injured his ankle last week and is questionable. I found it interesting this week that No. 1 corner Tre’Davious White specifically mentioned “Kevin” across from him in a response to a question this week. Typically he would discuss Levi. Might be a nugget that White expects Johnson to be his partner this week.
TW: Has former Texans general manager Brian Gaine had a role in Bills’ football operations comparable to what he did in 2017?
NW: Brian Gaine has a bit of a different role but I’m sure he gets his hands in some of his previous work. When he left the Bills for Texas, Buffalo hired Dan Morgan to replace him, essentially. They brought Gaine back, but Morgan’s still in town, too. Perhaps that could change in the future though, because with openings around the league, Morgan’s been getting a little buzz. I wouldn’t be shocked to see him leave the Bills this offseason, opening the door for Gaine to essentially take his old job back.
tw: Is CB Tre’Davious White benefiting from a great pass rush, or is the pass rush benefiting from his great coverage?
NW: The pass rush certainly benefits from Buffalo’s secondary. White is very good and the cornerstone to this defense. He earned his first overdue Pro Bowl nod this season and he was the only cornerback this season to play 500-plus coverage snaps and not allow a touchdown, per PFF. Of course, there’s some luck involved there. QBs miss, wideouts drop it, etc., but that’s still pretty good. Along with White, Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer are a top-notch safety tandem as well. Going back to Kevin Johnson, he’s probably the weak link out there, but if the Bills are only as strong as their weak link, that’s pretty good.
tw: how dominant has former houston cougar ed oliver been?
NW: He started slow, that’s for sure, but he’s picked it up in the second half of the season. Oliver actually lost his starting job earlier this season to Jordan Phillips, who’s leading the Bills with 9.5 sacks. The Bills play a big rotation all across their defensive line, but Oliver’s playing a pretty big role. Not that Houston isn’t a respectable program at all, but Houston, the University at Buffalo, and most places in between aren’t say… Alabama or LSU. Oliver is good, but in Year 2 I think we’ll see a nice jump from him now that he’s gotten that NFL taste.
TW: what’s your prediction? any bold predictions?
NW: This is reads as a tight one. As far as a bold prediction, I’ll guess that the Texans defense scores on a turnover. The Bills and QB Josh Allen have been incredibly safe with the ball this year, but Buffalo has many young pieces in their first taste of the playoffs. Texans, 23-20
