Texans Matchup - 9.8.2026.mp3

0:00What is up everybody welcome into 2026 is inaugural version of Texans match up where we like to look back while looking ahead If you're trying to figure that out well, you'll get it as we go through the show I'm your host John Harris football analyst Side line reporter for your Houston Texans and this week we play the Buffalo Bills So we're looking ahead to Sunday right all our shows Texans all access We're gonna be talking to General manager Nick Casseria. We're gonna be talking to players We're gonna be talking to coaches will have all that for you my keys to the game all that kind of stuff throughout the week But because it is the bills on the show we'd like to look back and in looking back We've had some tremendous moments against the Buffalo Bills over the last couple of years including last year's big Thursday night win Over Buffalo right here at the artist now known as

1:02Reliant Stadium and man it was one hell of a night, but I'll tell you this This game did not start out a lot of people forget this this game did not start out well for your Texans Josh Allen the offense got the ball to start when right down the field and then from the 45 yard line James Cook Housed one to give the bills a six nothing lead of course Matt Preder missed the extra point But James Cook that man good and he took this one to the house Third and inches at the Houston 44 offset I formation Hands off cook running right now find the hole up the middle he's gone 30 20 to the right side 10 5 touch down Everybody stacked up and no legs cooked up through the first wave and went to the house Bills up six nothing with the extra point on the way that's what happens Mark when you take the second level of your defense away And you play him around the line of scrimmage once he gets through the initial pile at the line of scrimmage

2:05There's nobody back there other than Bullock who was on the other side of the field trying to close on cook could not get there Oh man did not like the way that thing started that's for sure But the Texans responded and they responded with the run game Woody marks Well, he was good on this drive one rush of 12 yards Marks in the backfield mills under center on second and 10 at the bills 37 yard line Nico Coyle and short side right here's Hutchinson in motion to the right here's a handoff to Woody Get through the first wave 35 30 taking people with them down to the 25 yard line Woody marks 12 yards to the first down He turned back in and found Jordan Poyer and gave him the shoulder to the chin and Poyer couldn't do anything but go for about a four or five yard Escort just kind of hanging on the Woody and riding along on his shoulder bags boy There were two defenders there Dre and Woody split him. Yeah, like he was an axe. Well, he looked for Poyer

3:08though He saw the smaller-bodied defensive back or safety and put his shoulder right under his chin and then an even nicer run around the right end of 19 yards boy, this is a fun run here first out at the bills 25 Woody in the backfield mills under center bunch formation wide side right now Here's motion to the left mills with the toss to Woody running right does he have blocks? Yes 2015 like side-line 10 and knocked out inside the six yard line by Poyer first and goal Houston Those young legs of Woody of Woody marks getting the job done for this Texans offense Boy, that is nice to see excellent blocks out on the edge in the big fella Big Trent Brown out leading away for Woody marks, but one of the themes of the 2025 season which we hope changes going into 2026 is inability in the red zone to put the ball in the end zone Texas has set up for a Cayenne fair bearing 24 yard fuel goal to make it six to three and

4:13Then the defense well then the defense kind of took over the ball game It started with Kamari last to make it a big TFL start off the next series second and a long four for the bills across their 17 yard line Alan with a back motion around Johnson to his left Alan in the gut on second down Here's a pass right side on the screening to Shakir and he brought down at the 16 yard line for a loss a lot of Battle red clad defenders last summer gets there first and there were plenty guys to help make sure that he didn't get more Then he did the last ball behind the line of scribbots stayed there to TFL It's third down at six now for Buffalo Kamari would come up with a second one and even more key time a little later in the game as well We're early in the second bills lead six three driving first down at the Houston 45 yard line cook to the left of Alan Who's in the gun quick throw left side and they set up the screen but it's going nowhere a big loss at the 47 yard line of flag down as

5:20More made the catch, but he was buried behind the line of scrimmage and a flag came down as well The bills offense was still sort of grooving a little bit But then will Anderson junior announced his presence with authority really for the second time earlier in the game He had chased down Josh Allen on third down run. I remember. I'll never get this Josh Allen look back like How did you do that like Josh Allen felt like he had a first down and will answer junior ran him down a Little later in the game at a key moment will Anderson junior we get the first of the Texans eight Sacks and nearly knocked the bills out of field goal range six three bills lead looking for more 10 50 to go second quarter second down in 12 That the Houston 16 driving towards the North End zone the bullpen section cook back in Allen and the gun cook out wide to the left side behind the line of scrimmage now Motions toward Allen On second and 12 that the Houston 16 here's Allen taking the snap Allen with time

6:24Allen scrambling around the backfield and Allen's gonna go down will Anderson junior pulls them back for a stack How about that will Anderson junior with a deep sack as this ball is getting beyond the 25 yard line Will has sacks in six consecutive games that ties a single season franchise record set by Mario Williams Matt Prater would make the fuel goal to make it nine to three Texans offense that really on track yet But they were about to be and really get this thing going in the right direction It started when David smells hit Nico Collins for a big game Davis Mills under center third consecutive start Marks in the backfield Davis looks it over From the Houston 23 first and 10 five men across the front for the Buffalo bills

7:24Mills takes the snap Mills to throw Mills with time right side throw hits Nico Collins turns it inside 45 and out of the 47 yard line Nico Collins 23 yard play Good work there as the Texans move the football 913 to go second quarter there down 9-3 Well, he looked a poyer and just trucked him as Ren him straight over Boyer now and his 13th year at Oregon State he felt that way Yeah, Nico wants to get vertical and inflict harm But the Texans faced a crucial juncture with a fourth and one on this drive He decided to go for it. They felt like they needed something and it got it from Woody Marks to pick up the first down Fourth and one at the 24 yard line of Buffalo 710 to go in the second Texans down 9-3 got to get it Mills and the gun now don't like this formation though Here's Hutchinson in motion with the right Davis sends them back to the left

8:27Marks in the backfield with Davis on fourth and one handoff Woody Woody gets met Woody powers his way for the first and more of Russia 20 down to the 18 yard line Woody marks with not being denied the sticks move for the Houston Texans It's a great effort on the part of Woody March, but that's why I don't like it because you're coming from depth He's got to wait on a handoff meanwhile the defense is getting penetration as you're taking the ball to Woody marks I go under center and let him work downhill Do running basically the same play where there's momentum headed towards the line of scrimmage Taran Johnson met him, but he went for a ride Texas would move the ball inside the five yard line and it's there where Davis Mills Connected with Christian Kirk to give the Texans a 10 to 9 lead second and goal at the two Texans not huddling Jump to the right of Mills who's in the shotgun set Here's the snap from Andrews Mills face to give throws white song come touch down

9:31Christian Kirk the Texans score they tie it up they can take the lead with the extra point Davis Mills TD pass to a wide open Aggie Christian Kirk I mean there wasn't a soul around Christian Kirk That was beautiful because They went against tight perhaps and they got it to pay off Now with the lead the Texans defense was ready to make it a bigger lead Josh Allen went back to pass He found his ease out shy who couldn't hang on to an interception Luckily Kalim Balak was right there waiting for the hog skin Mark Debalt the 25 yard line Allen under center with three receivers to his right. Jaden's cooking the backfield need to stop on this possession Four men up front for Houston, but everybody close to the box here

10:32Allen digs in he's gonna throw Allen fires down field and tip and intercepted across the 40 Bullock 30 20 and Escapes another tackle off to the right side 15 pull up to the 10 public five and zone touchdown Flag down on the play kale into the house. Is it gonna come back or is it gonna stand? The pick is going to stand in all likelihood worst cases the Texans have the ball and bills territory Adrian Hill During your turn Picks it up and that's too bad Wipes out of pick six, but it's a pick by Bullock and Whose reliant power player was that? Eighth career interception the most ever by a Texans player through his first two seasons

11:33He surpassed Dante Robinson in that category and don't think of a tremendous start this career intercepting the football We talked with Kaylen earlier this was training camp or right is training camp started And we asked him about this night and he was just tremendous will go be more from Kaylen here In a little bit, but he said after the game his phone was just blowing up This people like yo, what's up man? That was an awesome game I mean everything and everybody said it was just hundreds of messages from people And that got it started for Kaylen But the offense couldn't really keep it going so kamey fair bear and knocked home me feel go to make it 13 to 9 and the Texans were in Front in charge this one felt like it was Texans all the way until The ensuing kickoff Two men back deep for Buffalo Johnson and Davis Here's any ball at the 35 yard line kicking it toward the south end zone

12:38Let's apply here's Davis at the three left side over to five 10 15 20 25 spin still going 40 and he's gonna be gone 50 goodbye Unbelievable the spin moves shook by everybody and he takes it to the house does a backflip in the end zone Oh First place Serio yep just like that That just takes the year out of everything two weeks ago They allowed a punt return for a touchdown against Jacksonville now a kickoff return for a touchdown against this team And you cannot afford to give these up He actually ran into the back of Dorian Williams and they lost it I don't know if they thought he was gonna fall or go down But he bounced off was able to keep his feet and then got right back into the return And by then it was just he and Kaimi Fairbeer who was not Gonna catch Ray Davis the bills took a 16 to 13 lead now remember looking up the clock thinking tag

13:42Gummit man This team has battled its guts out to be in the lead of this game And because special teams broke down the bills now have the league going into halftime man My good and then all of a sudden That changed because Davis Mills got hot in the two-minute warning and got to Texans Back in front with a drive really of all drives finishing Will they throw to jaden higgins for the go ahead touchdown right before the end of the half Higgins motions to the left for Mills with Woody Marx to his right in the gun seconding goal at the eight Here's the snap from Andrews Davis looking Davis passing to the end zone cut touchdown Houston Vegas with the catch and score and the Texans are back in front of Buffalo with five seconds to go in the second quarter You when we talk about the 20-25 seasons funny because we mentioned those three games that Davis plays had played And we talk about oh, yeah the throw to Niko against Tennessee, you know the comeback against Jacksonville

14:44I think the most important throw that he made was that one right there to jaden higgins look There's another half to play but as you're about to find out The offense is kind of winning a hibernation in the second half So that throw right there that made it 20 to 16 was as key as anything that happened in the Texans run of What 11 games in the role last year was incredible But that throw right there to higgins because that's important as anything and it took us to the halftime At 20 to 16 Then the defenses took over in particular 51 and 55 third and six bills from their 43 Allen in the gun Johnson out to the left side shimmies up to Allen in the back via Late clock's running down Allen on third and six to throw Allen pocket collapsing Allen escapes the sack Allen backing up now sliding to the left side can't square up And he's all the way keeping the backfield he finally brought that up on 24 yard line by will Anderson Jr

15:50Determinator Remember when we were on the pregame show and I said Josh Allen gets himself in trouble when he starts to do too much Yes, you that is a I mean, that's the definition of it right there instead of taking an incomplete pass and throw the ball away and punt it and play on 4th down he tries to become Superman which at times he is but there he's playing against another guy that has a cape of his own 820 to go third quarter Texans lead 20 to 16 bills with a third and five from their 14 yard line Johnson with Allen in the backfield Allen Shucka four man front for Houston make it five as will Jr's Way wide right defensively and as these is plugging a hole Allen to throw Allen looking pocket collapsing Allen escaping and now he's finally sack brought down Today all hunter brings down Josh Allen

16:544th down if it's not one side is the other And that's what makes this defense so beautiful the bills would eventually get the ball back and face a third down And a big third down in the game and Josh Allen hit Kallu Shakir one of his most reliable Weapons on the field and I was staying in about about 10 to 12 yards away from it and I just I see the completion and I thought dang it man They could have gotten off the field on third down and then Kaelin struck again Ty Johnson of the game to the white of Josh Allen is in the gun on third and three from the bills 15 here come the Texans they're gonna blitz here loading up with Henry on the line in the Z's in the middle of that defense Allen puts the leg down here's the snap up third and three Allen to throw Allen over the middle and caught first down then drop It's a fumble Texans have it and read takes it to the 23 yard line of catch and cough up another takeaway for the Houston Texans

17:56That fumble recovery would lead to a fuel goal from Kami Fairbaring From 26 yards out to get the Texas a 23 to 16 lead The sack party kept going with Henry to a toa on the first play of the next try Josh Allen up to the line of scrimmage So wide offset eye With James cook in the backfield from the Buffalo 35 and Alan mini boot Alan in the back of the trouble He goes down again. He's sacked by Henry toa toa Another sack on Josh Allen They are firing linebackers whenever he goes on a boot Linebackers are firing. They've got the green light to go get him And it's that's exactly what they're doing Four in the game for this Texans defense with the crowd just in a Frenzy a little later in this drive the bills faced a fourth and two

18:56And it was time for Mufasa aka sheldon rankings to make a big play on fourth and two to stop the bills Offset eye formation fourth and one at the Houston 23 cook the tail back Gillian the fullback Alan takes the snap here's cook cook is not gonna get there backfield blast the Texans get a turnover on downs Fantastic I am looking for Domingo Ryan's but I cannot find him on the sideline because I know right now He is losing his mind over his defense rankings and friends get in there for the big stop and Houston has the rock leading 23 16 with 1009 to go in the fourth quarter Texas would punt the ball back to the bills after that fourth down stop And Josh Allen would fight collusion here for a big gain But then a tim settle sack and the bills had to settle for a few will to make a 23 19

19:57In the fourth quarter the Texans had to answer offensively Unfortunately, they could not but the Texans have the Neil Hunter and Mario Edwards on their side And they came up big on this last drive I Second down of 10 bills from their 47 109 to go Texans leading 23 19 Josh Allen and the gun one back Cook he's back in there Alan to throw Alan stepping up. He's got too much time now. He's in trouble Alan is gonna go down the Neil Hunter He brings him down and as these helps with the finish a deep sack the bills have to burn a time out and it's thirded long What a play by this Houston defense Seven sacks for 100 is last three games that ties a franchise record for sacks of the game in a three game span Helped by Jay Jay Wat and Mario Williams Third and 20 bills from their 37 Allen with split backs. He's in the gun. Here's the snap

20:59Pressure right up the middle Allen black down Allen sacked again at the 30 yard line And it's gonna be a whole Mario Edwards Jr. with the sack and Alan is shaking up on the plate You're Ryan Van dem mark dem mark is the guy that does in a right tackle. That's the who's the who the hole is gonna be all Eight sacks What a night? I thought it was over like there's no way four to 26 or whatever it is ain't no way the bills are Hmm wait Yeah, there is a way and here's fourth and 27th for Buffalo 51 seconds to go Texans lead 23 19 Allen in the shotgun set Empty backfield fourth and 27th from the bills 30 Allen calls for the ball Here's the snap Allen throwing downfield over the middle and they do the hook and ladder shick here right side

22:0245 40 30 of Houston and Adam as in the 25 yard line They got a top armor who ladderled to shick here and One execution by the bills on fourth and 27 41 seconds to go. They have the ball at the Houston 26 Everything was shaping up for the bills to win this thing at this point. They were gonna have a miraculous win Until Kalen Balak struck again deep in Texas territory Fourth down at six at the Houston 22 yard line Allen shotgun tie Johnson to his right Bunch formation right wide side of the field on fourth at six at the Houston 22 orbit motion shick here Allen back to throw Allen airing it out Allen picked off my block it's over the Texas are gonna do it There's a flag down in the secondary It's against the bills the Texans pulling off They're gonna knock off buffalo tonight

23:03Damn right. Let's do that on Sunday as well. All right coming up stars of the preseason Who were guys that made some plays in the preseason that got us excited? Well, that for you next the Texas matchup Welcome back everybody to our inaugural version of Texas matchup in the 2026 season I'm your host John Harris football analyst Side-Lie reporter had a great time looking back at the Texans win over the bills last year at Reliance stadium although it was in our g stadium. Hopefully the change of name doesn't Bring about a bills victory, but reliant stadium on Sunday taking on Josh Allen and the bills now the Texans Record in the preseason wasn't tremendous, but there are some great moments in the preseason with guys that are gonna end up playing a pretty big role for the team this year So I thought you know what let's go back and look at some of those great moments For guys that played the preseason and again It wasn't a lot of your stars and that's kind of why we're doing this because they're gonna be some guys you hear here

24:08That had really good pre-season. They're gonna play a big role for the Texans including a rookie tight end That showed it off early in the first game against the chargers as in the second play Of the game Marlin Klein welcome to Houston Here's males on the gun with Whittington to his left on second and two from the Houston 33 I know you like this down in distance Mills gets the snathros over the middle And this is caught Marlin Klein the rookie tight end into charger territory at the 35 yard line Big play to the second round draft choice to get the party started my excellent pass protection and it starts there For this Texans offense they hold up and then it's the weakest part of the defense to save two high safeties You split it with a tight end on a nice little skinny post in the middle of the field and I tell you what if it's thrown A half a second off it may have been tipped away or intercepted perfectly timed by Davis mill 31 yard play

25:09After that game against the chargers the very next day I said would you take a 31 yard output One play 31 yards from Marlin Klein you don't know someone might be touchdowns some not but would you take one reception 37 yards every single week from Marlin Klein And we came around to the conclusion of heck yeah, I mean that's over 500 yards is probably four or five touchdowns Heck yeah, I take that from a rookie tight end And Marlin Klein did it the next game. You had 31 yards receiving As well, I think it was three reception But a very nice preseason start for Marlin Klein a guy that's gonna have to play a decent amount for your Texans this year at the third corner spot It's gonna be Jay rock Jaylin Smith He's got it all. He's got speed. He's got a great smile. He's got personality and he'll stick you to as he showed here against the chargers making a clinic textbook Openfield tackle One back Lance under center on second and five at the Houston 39 yard line now backs shifted to an eye

26:17Lance with another toss Texans try to string it out wide and a nice tackle open field stick As Houston guy Jay rock busy on the ball carrier holding it to a one yard pickup Well, I can't wait to see Jay rock this year with more time under his belt Obviously didn't get a lot of experience last year. I think it was a couple games That he played in early and then and I'm missing the rest of season but Jay rocks gonna play a big role this year There's no question about it. How about Jared Wayne I've been cheering for this guy for a long time I think 2024 that moment in Kansas City, you know, he internalized that as you know his fault So sorry about what happened to tank del I think fans did that too and those fans should be embarrassed by that But Jared Wayne is just continued to get better and better and better and he showed it in that chargers game Make it these two big catches the second one for a touchdown

27:17Rutledge ready to snap the football. I'm third down and eight at the chargers 16 One back and Mills and the god here's the snap Mills close underneath He's got Jared Wayne diving forward to the seven for a first down first in gold Texans Said it in the pregame show. This is a young man That has taken care of his body in the offseason gotten himself better and is flashing and Kim Pitson burger back in the rookie from Yale Jared Wayne back into the game on this third down situation Just in Watson short side left two receivers to the right side and foster morrow Winged left after motion Mills with a blocker in front in the gun Mills gets the snap. I'm third and gold in the five blows right side caught touchdown Jared Wayne A jumping grab by Wayne to put the Texans in front of the chargers all the young man needs There's our opportunities and the more they give him the more he flashes

28:21Now with this receiver position the way it is obviously Niko one of the best in the league After that K Shambuody traded for from the New England Patriots Xavier Hutchison had a great training camp especially the end of his training camp at Carolina Got Jay Wayne in there. Got Jay Nol You've got guys that have been around a done some things where does Jared Wayne fitted all that we'll find out But he was great in a preseason especially in that game against the Charger All right, you know far next one is funny last night I didn't I wasn't doing this because of what I'm about to play But I just happened to watch in the USC Trojans. I'm always intrigued with USC I don't know I you know even growing up in Texas. I was always enamored with USC in the Trojans and You know smoggy LA and then of course my daughter's out there So I watch USC and now they've got Gary Patterson's defense coordinator Well, actually didn't that dantlin is a defensive coordinator He was instrumental in helping Camari Ramsey grow fact Camari Ramsey played for dantlin at UCLA for two years

29:24Then transferred USC For his last few years because dantlin took a job over at USC He did a good job with young Camari because the game against the charge the only one that Camari will play This preseason Camari with a huge reception reading eyes of tray lants picking them off and nearly taking it back to the house I love what Camari Ramsey could do He's gonna have opportunities to play this show. There's no question about that How about Camari Ramsey against the Chargers the first pick of his NFL career Chargers at the 25 yard line of Houston 59 seconds to go and a half 10 7 LA pistol set here for tray lants Lance to throw over the middle. This is picked off and take into the left across the 30 35 40 left side line out of my house near midfield It's the rookie with the iint Camari Ramsey Don't know if I've got room in my brain for another Camari, but this young man's making a splash

30:27All right a guy that we all know The nation has its eyes on every time he steps under center or takes a shotgun snap and that cj struts He didn't see much time in the preseason, but what he did see against the Raiders. Oh boy. He looked good including this throw to guy We just mentioned a little while ago little backshoulder throwing the sidelines cj shrouded a jared wane This is fun to watch from down on the field Three receivers right wane to the left third down in 11 from the Houston 47 yard line Woody in the backfield cj shot gun. Here's the snap strowed with time Fires down field to his left caught first down Texans have it in radar territory at the 41 its jared wane one of the stars from last week's game Early on with the touchdown catch a big first-down catch this time I'm just trusting my eyes on this and in camp now in two preseason games and starting to see the same type of consistency from a guy like jared wane

31:28Who all I said was he needs an opportunity? That's all he needs and he's starting to show this coaching staff that he belongs One of the more intriguing rooms if you will in this building is a tight end room to me Texans did bring back brevin Jordan kind of went through some roster machinations and some things they had to do To get the roster where they needed to but They brought brevin back and so I think it was always the plan But it was good to bring brevin back, but that room really performed in the preseason Including a guy that I think is going to catch the ball a whole lot more people think and that's farce tomorrow He got a nice little catch. He connects you with cj shroud here against the raiders love it take a listen Third down and a long three at the 35 yard line of the raiders strad of the gun Woody up front blocking here to snap to cj. Here's a little pressure ck escape to the right side Dubs it off last moment morrow has the first down down to the 25 yard line sliding down there Nice adjustment by strad looked like he was gonna run it be through it and got a first down and as he looks special tonight or what

32:36When the Texans traded for david my gummery a lot of people Especially he used to thought well, you know what about woody marks man. What's going to happen to woody marks? I think the trade for David my gummery is gonna make woody marks that much more effective in all facets for this offense in 2026 that can only make this offense in his team That much better he showed against the raiders man He got it done couple of runs early then it catch out of the backfield and then finished With a 20 yard touchdown run that was just brilliant How about woody marks taking a big step this preseason a year number two First down Texans at their 31 and here's the give woody marks right side cut across the 35 and down across the 39 yard line All right, what a kick out block by cade stover that opened up everything for woody marks who's wearing a new number this season Gonna don the number four that it was number eight who's also in a new number cade stover who threw the block

33:40It made it a successful run for woody marks Third down and less than a yard across the 40 yard line of houston woody in the backfield cj under center Straub dig zid here's the gift to woody running rights got the first down breaks a tackle and he's down across the 47 yard line is McCollum got him again But not until they picked up the first down and the Texans moved the sticks up to the 48 yard line played with players like woody marks where They're built so compact at 510 208 But they're just super tough and the last thing you want to do is find yourself one-on-one trying to make a tackle with that individual woody marks is that type of player not being a boysy hard to get on the ground Cj stroud under center now first down at the radar 42 takes the handoff towards stroud dumps it off to woody right side takes it down to a 35 yard line as he's brought down by Stoops and a nice little game there a cj elected to dump it off to the running back and got positive yardage

34:43Here we go with second-diving manageable 11 and a half to go in the first quarter his game just underway no school And on himself on a with a little bit of pressure in his face someone came loose late But cj looking poise and composed mark on this drive just delivers an accurately thrown ball to woody marks First in five Texans I formation with stover the fullback here's the gift to woody five the whole lights side 15 Passes off a tackle 10 another book and tackle and he's in the end zone woody marks touchdown What a run and what a heck of a job of blocking along the right side by any group As well as Trent Brown boy do they go to work and just collapse everything down and allowed woody marks to hit the whole full speed And then it's when I talked about earlier You're not signing up to tackle woody marks. He's carrying guys into the end zone. What a run

35:43There's little doubt the Texans have one of the best Limebacker duos in the league your hard press to find anybody on the level of Ziz al-Shi and Henry toa toa But what about the depth? What about the depth behind them? Well at this point it's a couple of rookies Jake Hanson behind them uh and Jake Hummel you know Jake Hummel a guy that just got here basically in the offseason Jake Hanson's been here for A few years but Missed most of the preseason with the injury So you had to rely on the rookies Aiden Fisher and Wade Woodaz and against the Raiders Wade Woodaz showed exactly Why the Texans liked him in the draft process and brought him to Houston with this pick six the only defense touchdown of the preseason Offside-eye formation They were the fullback Washington the tailback Mendoza play fake and he flows went over the middle of the hook up Here we go across the 40 the 50. It's what has the 40 of the Raiders the 30 and those are trying to chase him down at the

36:4615-10-5 Broken rule does he get in? Yes touchdown Woodaz and Fisher are gonna have to play a big role for this defense this year as rookies So they're gonna have to step up their game But it was nice to see Wade creating plays like that interception off of last year's hyzer trophy winner for Nendo Men doza all right speaking of another rookie Actually facing off against Ben doza again less than 12 months Then from when they did it before Kaden McDonald the rookie out of Ohio State Man a fun rookie when I sat down with him well actually we stood up But we discussed the training camp. I said all right What do you want the sack called to be and I came up with the name of like how about K-Mac with the sack. He's like that's it That's all I want So when you get the sack you get K-Mac with the sack Kaden McDonald with the sack against the Raiders nice to see him Reintroduce himself the Fernando Mendoza a guy

37:50That's gonna play well. I think out in Las Vegas, but McDonald a guy that's gonna have to play well for your Texans in 2026 here's that sack on Fernando Mendoza Second down in one rookie welcome to the NFL Kind of been waiting on a moment from him Yeah, I know this coaching staff's gonna smile and feel pretty good about things before I did he get inside position And I want to say it's against Muffy the left guard and made his way straight to Fernando Mendoza for his first sack as a professional Now that's not typically gonna be Kaden's game. He's gonna be Cloggin run lanes, but if he can add some sack some past pressure as he matures and grows in his rookie season He is going to be a handful and a big-time addition to

38:53This Texans defense very little question about it now When it comes to reliability There may be is no one more reliable than our guy Kaini Fairbare And he showed it early in the preseason in this game against the Raiders from 57 yards out He hit a tank that went through it. It'd been good from about 67 Let's say 57 how about Kaini getting hot early in the season 57 yard try right hash marks fairbare's kick is up It has to leg and it's good Kaini two for two It's the Texas add to their lead 20 to three over the Raiders. He's indeed in mid season four Now as we moved on to Carolina There was a lot of great stuff to happen at joint practice. I mean just seeing it back in my mind. It was I watched the offense the offense pretty much dominated every word I got from anybody that watched the defense against Bright Shunger Company. Yeah, the defense did what it wanted to the offense was fantastic

39:57Then it got to the game and an undrafted rookie From out of the state in a brass guy who started his career at Wyoming transfer to NC State Flashed for a year in NC State got the Texas attention. They signed him Sebastian harsh Godman rookie minicamp Wow, okay, there's something here all right OTA's minicamp. All right, we're seeing some stuff and then training camp. Oh dang He's hurt For about a week missed him But then he came back and each day he started doing something a little bit more a little bit more against the panthers and the Practice he was really good. There was in the game where Sebastian harsh went nuclear Second and quarterback right here with some beautiful past rush maneuvers second down and nine from the panther 23 Up to backfield for Kenny pick it and he's in trouble and he's brought down harsh brings them down might have gotten a hand in jersey there No call good sack there as the Texans force third and long

40:57That sack solidified Sebastian harsh is opportunity with the Texas in 2026 made the initial 53 man roster look things can change guys can get hurt You got to make moves at some point, but I think the Texans love that guy enough and he is gonna be here For as long as he continues to sack the quarterback because as long as he's here he's gonna get better and better and better and better all right The guy that we just mentioned a few minutes ago Kaimi fair bearing He had one of his great moments as a Texan Against the bills in 2024 will we live that next on Texans matchup We go on final segment in this edition of Texans matchup coming at you from the hunday Texans radio studio I'm your host john Harris football analyst sideline reporter for your Houston Texans and the buffalo bills are coming in on sunday at noon Now last year's Thursday night. It was electric night man. It was electric Texans were wearing

41:58The reds all the battle red looks so beautiful and with that defense playing away. It was playing It was just it was like watching a bunch of fire ants. I mean it was incredible They're just chasing Josh Allen all over the place. We talked about that in our first segment But you before that texas wore the h-town blue for the first time So this Sunday week five Texas it played pretty well up to that point And the bills are coming to town And the Texans put it on them early in that game. I mean it was really Man, it was it was a tremendous football game early on especially when CJ shroud hit Nico Collins deep For touchdown first down Texans to begin this possession after Houston 33 Strab fixed the toss he has time in the pocket. He's gonna gun it long and Nico Collins is there at the 1510 Broken roll touchdown h-town

42:59A bomb from stroud to Collins. I knew someone would have a chance to come up with one I thought it would be tankdale. It's not It's mr. Consistency mr. Leading the NFL and receiving yards and Nico Collins What a beautiful play as he faked the toss to his left and had enough time to get the ball off To as you said Dre the NFL's leader in receiving yards and that number is not going to be hurting after today Leading by over a hundred coming into the day's action that deep shot would give the Texans a 14 to 3 lead They were in command two kimi fairbaring fuel goals want to end the half Want to start basically the third quarter and the Texas had a 20 to 3 lead They were dominating the game and then it flipped James Cook got rolling you scored a touchdown make it 2010

43:59Nicky on Coleman broke free on a little short route So a little out route on the bill's sideline he would take it to the house made it 2017 Oh, I don't like the looks of this. I don't like where this is going Then Tyler Bass with it a fuel goal with just over three minutes left and he thought oh man Got a 23 lead you're dominating the game now it's 20 to 20 I don't like this at all. I don't like where this is going but the defense would come up big On a last Bill's drive deep and bills territory. It would force the bills have to punt to the Texans One Robert Woods return one Darryl Guamuala reception And kimi fairbaring stepped on the field for a potential game winner From 59 yards out. I repeat From the H on the field The new H for the first time kimi's got to kick off that logo

45:02To beat the bills And here's what it sounded like I mean there's not a but in a seat In this stadium 59 yard a 10 for the win weeks with the snap Tommy Townsend with the hold and can any fair bear with a chance to give the Texans the victory Here's the snap by weeks the spot. Here's the kick by fair bear has the distance and it's gone Fair bear wins it at the buzzer The Texans beat the bills 59 yards for the dub on each town day 23 20 When the prettiest but it might have been good from 70 He hit it and it wasn't high It just was long and accurate The operation ran smoothly

46:05Fairbaring drove it through the uprights To give the Texans the victory For in one on the year beating Buffalo And sending a message in the AFC What a win that was for the Texans on that day against the Buffalo bills did lose Niko for a few games That stung but kimi fair bearing Oh reliable and I don't mean older than old but you know Oh reliable the guy that you want up in that situation He's won so many games for the Texans at the end 2018 cults 2018 cowboys that one Against the Buffalo bills later in the season 2023 Three against the Titans in overtime at Tennessee man. They've had so many times Hopefully Sunday doesn't come down to a fuel goal But if it does I trust that dude right there. That's why he got paid this off season and why he is

47:09One of my favorite Texans of all time so stand up dude a great golfer apparently a tremendous individual And one hell of a kicker who's made a ton of kicks for your Texans. All right, that's gonna do it for this inaugural Edition of Texas matchup for the 2026 season. Hopefully next week. We're back talking about a win over the bills Looking back to some great moments against the Bengals. There have been a few of those over the time But that's for next week this week. It's about beating Buffalo We'll see you again next time. Thank you for listening and as always go Texans