Tyrod Taylor beat busted coverage for a game-winning 40-yard touchdown toss to Charles Clay, leading the Buffalo Bills (6-6) to a 30-21 victory over the Houston Texans (6-6) in Week 13. Here's what you need to know:
- Taylor had a phenomenal afternoon against the league's hottest defense, accounting for four all-purpose touchdowns while generating a 127.2 passer rating. He uncorked a pair of beautiful deep balls to Sammy Watkins and made good decisions throughout. A credit to Taylor, this was the first time this season in which Buffalo has won while allowing 20 or more points. Consider it a season-saving victory against a quality opponent, allowing the Bills to keep pace in the AFC wild-card hunt.
- Emerging as one of the NFL's most dangerous deep threats, Watkins won the battle of the Clemson wide receivers, hauling in a pair of 53-yard bombs in addition to a three-yard touchdown. A third-down drop notwithstanding, DeAndre Hopkins was impressive in his own right, dominating one possession with a one-handed 23-yard catch, a 29-yard reception and a 19-yard touchdown. The first Texans receiver to reach double-digit touchdowns in a season, Hopkins is on pace for 115 receptions and 1,559 yards in his third season.
- Kudos to the Bills' offensive coaching staff for a game plan that flummoxed a defense allowing just 8.8 points per game over the past month. Taylor and LeSean McCoy moved the chains consistently with a zone-read attack. Watkins torched promising rookie cornerback Kevin Johnson, who was yanked after allowing two deep balls and a pair of touchdowns in the first half. J.J. Watt was kept relatively in check, going without a sack while managing just one tackle for a loss. The Texans simply aren't a playoff team unless the defense dominates.
