### Texans Snub Bills in Dramatic Finish with Fairbairn's Last-Second Field Goal

HOUSTON — C.J. Stroud put on an aerial display, amassing 331 yards through the air and throwing a key touchdown to facilitate the Houston Texans' heart-stopping 23-20 victory against the Buffalo Bills. The game reached a thrilling conclusion with Ka′imi Fairbairn nailing a 59-yard field goal as time expired on Sunday.

The Texans, now 4-1, originally seemed to have a firm grip on the contest, leading 20-3 after a third-quarter field goal. However, the Bills, with a 3-2 record, staged a fierce rally, scoring 17 consecutive points to level the score with just over three minutes remaining.

A challenging moment for the Texans occurred when Stroud was flagged for intentional grounding, which resulted in a fourth-and-15 situation, effectively pushing Houston out of field-goal range with less than a minute on the clock. The ensuing punt pinned Buffalo at their 3-yard line. The Bills then punted after failing to complete three passes, offering a lifeline to Houston.

In a crucial late-game play, Dare Ogunbowale executed a 5-yard run, setting the stage for Fairbairn's game-clinching field goal. The Texans' offensive efforts were further hampered by the continued absence of running back Joe Mixon and the mid-game loss of leading receiver Nico Collins due to a hamstring injury.

On the Bills' side, Stefon Diggs, facing his former team for the first time since a major offseason trade, tallied six receptions for 82 yards. Quarterback Josh Allen completed 9 of 30 passes for 131 yards and a touchdown. This was Buffalo’s second consecutive loss after beginning the season with three straight victories. Allen's first-half struggles continued, managing just 56 passing yards.

An important turnover occurred when Dawuane Smoot strip-sacked Stroud, positioning the Bills at Houston’s 15-yard line with close to four and a half minutes left. Mitchell Trubisky stepped in for Allen, who was briefly sidelined in the medical tent. Allen returned but only to throw two incomplete passes, with the Bills tying the game on a 33-yard field goal afterward.

Another turning point was Terrel Bernard intercepting Stroud’s pass, intended for Diggs, which handed Buffalo possession at their own 20-yard line. Despite this opportunity, the Bills couldn’t capitalize and had to punt soon after.

Buffalo’s scoring surge was highlighted by James Cook’s 5-yard touchdown run and a spectacular 49-yard reception by rookie Keon Coleman. Coleman’s touchdown helped the Bills draw nearer, making it 20-17. This particular touchdown also marked Allen’s 231st career touchdown pass, tying him with Patrick Mahomes for the most by a player in their first seven NFL seasons.

The Texans initially took a 7-3 lead late in the first quarter, thanks to a 15-yard touchdown run by Cam Akers, which was supported by Ogunbowale’s key 38-yard catch-and-run on a third-and-5. Nico Collins extended the Texans' lead further with a 67-yard touchdown reception on the next drive. Fairbairn contributed with a 50-yard field goal as the first half ended and followed it with a 47-yarder early in the third quarter, extending Houston's lead to 20-3.

The game wasn't without its share of injuries for the Texans, losing RB British Brooks to a knee injury and S Jimmie Ward to a groin injury.

Next, the Bills will visit the New York Jets on Oct. 14, while the Texans will face off against New England the coming Sunday.