Instant Report Card Grades for Bills' NFL Week 1 Game vs. Texans

The Buffalo Bills are 1-0. 

For much of the afternoon, it didn't feel as though we'd be writing that. 

With the defense struggling in a demanding road opener against a tough Houston Texans team, Buffalo found itself in a classic back-and-forth bout that felt uncomfortably familiar for fans accustomed to heartbreak in chaotic finishes. But this time, the Bills held on for a 36-31 victory. 

Buffalo now prepares to unveil its brand-new stadium to the world Thursday night against Detroit. Before turning the page, here is our report card from the opener.

Quarterback

AP Photo/Maria Lysaker

Josh Allen

Josh Allen: A

Allen is the best quarterback in the world right now, and he practically carried the Bills to this victory in his first game as a 30-year-old. 

The preseason MVP favorite averaged a comically high 11.5 yards per attempt and was lights-out over and over again on deep and intermediate tosses to Dalton Kincaid, DJ Moore, Khalil Shakir, and—in the biggest of spots—Joshua Palmer. 

He generated a combined four passing and rushing touchdowns and didn't turn the ball over—although he did nearly fumble in a key fourth-quarter moment and was almost intercepted twice in and around the Houston end zone. 

That's about all there is to keep this from being an A+ for Allen.

Running Back

AP Photo/Ashley Landis

James Cook

James Cook: C+

The reigning rushing champion broke free for 20 yards combined on his first two carries but was hardly a factor from there, averaging just 3.7 yards per carry on 11 attempts the remainder of the game. 

He gets credit for a pivotal 12-yard run to launch what turned into the game-winning drive deep inside Buffalo territory, but it's worth noting that he fumbled at the end of that play and was saved by teammate O'Cyrus Torrence's recovery. 

It was a good-not-great performance, albeit against a killer defense that seemed to adjust well after Cook's strong start.

Wide Receiver

AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith

DJ Moore

DJ Moore: A+

Folks might have been wondering where Moore was hiding when the veteran newcomer was held without a catch (or a target) until late in the first half. The reality? He was opening things up for the rest of the offense while being frequently double-teamed by one of the most talented secondaries in the NFL. 

And he eventually delivered in a huge way with 100 yards and a sweet touchdown, while also drawing two pass interference penalties (the first of which occurred in the end zone on a deep ball, leading directly to a score). 

Khalil Shakir: A

Shakir was once again Mr. Reliable for Allen, well before Moore and Kincaid became bigger factors as the game wore on. He set the tone early for the offense with a pair of key first-half catches, as well as a strong run on a lateral to set up a fourth-and-short. 

Keon Coleman: D+

Depth receivers aren't always going to factor in against defenses like Houston's, but you'd hope to see more from Coleman than a single catch. Technically it was only a one-yard reception, but the lateral to Shakir was well executed. 

Joshua Palmer: A

It was immediately unclear whether Palmer or Allen erred on a fourth-quarter play that nearly resulted in an interception in the end zone. Regardless, the 26-year-old made up for it all with a 34-yard touchdown catch on the very next play. That was ultimately the dagger.

Tight End

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Dalton Kincaid

Dalton Kincaid: A+

Beast! Five catches on six targets for 130 yards from Kincaid, who gained more than 30 yards on three of those receptions. No tight end in the NFL had more than five 30-plus-yard catches in the entire 2025 season, yet Kincaid just did it in one game. If the 26-year-old former first-round pick can stay healthy, he could have a legendary breakout season. 

Dawson Knox: B-

Just a single seven-yard catch but no drops or obvious mistakes for the veteran, although he gets extra credit for helping bulldoze Allen into the end zone on his long touchdown scramble. 

Offensive Line

AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

Dion Dawkins: C

The tackles get props for the fact the line surrendered just two sacks against such a fierce defensive front, but Dawkins whiffed on a critical fourth-down block and had a few other sloppy reps. 

Alec Anderson: D

The new starter at left guard experienced some tough downs, giving up a sack, drawing a holding penalty, and surrendering a hit on Allen that could have easily resulted in a hand injury. 

Connor McGovern: C

It was a sloppier-than-usual showing from the 28-year-old vet, and this entire unit. That said, McGovern and Co. were routinely schemed into tough spots by Joe Brady and Pete Carmichael. 

O'Cyrus Torrence: B

Ditto for Torrence, but he deserves major credit for a heads-up play and exemplary hustle on that game-saving fumble recovery. 

Spencer Brown: B

Also far from perfect, but his only costly mistake came on a one-on-one defeat against Danielle Hunter on a key third-down play. That's not bad considering the competition. 

Edge

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Greg Rousseau

Bradley Chubb: D-

Unfortunately, the Bills' new high-priced pass-rusher was missing in action for much of the afternoon. He wound up with a few hurries but also took some bad angles that resulted in extra yardage on rushes and straight-up missed several tackles. 

Greg Rousseau: A+

Fortunately, Rousseau compensated for that with a sick performance that included two strip sacks, five quarterback hits and—in his debut as an outside linebacker—a superb pass breakup in coverage that kept Houston buried near its own goal line in the second half. It was one of the best games of his career. 

Defensive Line

AP Photo/Ashley Landis

Deone Walker: A+

The second-year fourth-round pick made some monster plays to set the tone. Without Rousseau and Walker, this D might have surrendered 50. The Bills might have found a budding star here. Walker seems to rise up in big situations. 

Ed Oliver: B+

The splashy plays mainly belonged to Rousseau and Walker, but Oliver was quite effective as a pass rusher and singlehandedly drew a holding penalty on Houston in a key fourth-quarter spot. 

Landon Jackson: C

Playing an increased role because T.J. Sanders was out, Jackson was frequently pushed around in the trenches. But he was never embarrassed and he did make a great stop to set the tone on the first play of a three-and-out to start the second half. 

Linebacker

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Terrel Bernard

Terrel Bernard: C

It was a roller-coaster performance from Bernard. He made several nice stops in important situations in the first half and was extremely active overall but also appeared to be totally out of place when Jaylin Noel broke free on a busted coverage for 35 yards late in the first half and struggled consistently on a long Houston drive in the middle of the second quarter. 

Dorian Williams: D

Williams looked out of place far too often, was burned by poor angles on multiple plays and often failed to close out plays without needing extra help. He was useless in coverage. 

Secondary

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CB Christian Benford: D

It was a tough assignment with Nico Collins one-on-one most of the day, and Benford struggled quite a bit in coverage while also missing some tackles. The Bills quite simply need more from him as the top cover guy. He avoids an F because he came up big with consecutive impressive wrap-ups on Collins inside the sticks to hold Houston to a long field goal in the fourth quarter.

CB Maxwell Hairston: C-

It's rarely a bad sign when you hardly see anything from a corner for four quarters. There was a weird mixup with Dee Alford that could have easily cost them the game but my initial impression is that it was more on Alford than Hairston. 

CB Dee Alford: D

In addition to that mixup above, the offseason acquisition was often inadequate in coverage—especially on a big 20-yard Xavier Hutchinson third-down conversion in the fourth quarter. 

S C.J. Gardner-Johnson: C

The veteran was in on a lot of plays, and it showed with those eight tackles. But he did miss a couple as well, and he failed to make any impact plays. 

S Cole Bishop: B+

The promising sophomore was the lone bright spot in the secondary. Bishop's importance was highlighted when he briefly exited with an injury midway through the game and the secondary went from bad to embarrassing with Damar Hamlin on the field. 

Special Teams

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Tyler Bass

K Tyler Bass: A+

There's been some concern here, but you can't complain about a 6-for-6 day (three field goals, three extra points). 

P Tommy Doman Jr.: A

A 54.5 average on two punts is a hell of a way to start your career. 

KR Greg Dortch: A

A fantastic kick return from Dortch set up Buffalo's first touchdown of the season, and he was effective on both of his punt returns.