The Houston Texans take on the Buffalo Bills in Week 4. The Bills are seeking to improve to 3-1 while the Texans are scrounging for wins in the AFC South, where the 2-1 Tennessee Titans are filling the power vacuum. Getting to 2-2 could help Houston keep pace with the division champions from a year ago.

WHEN: 12:00 p.m. CT

WHERE: Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

FORECAST: Light rain, 68 degrees, 10 mph winds

FOLLOW: @therealmarklane, @thetexanswire, @cotydavis24, @TexansDoc

LISTEN: Sports Radio 610 [KILT-AM] and 100.3 The Bull [KLOL]

WATCH: CBS (Beth Mowins, Tiki Barber)

Source: 506sports.com

RED — Kansas City at Philadelphia

BLUE — Cleveland at Minnesota

GREEN — Tennessee at NY Jets

YELLOW — Indianapolis at Miami

BROWN — Houston at Buffalo

10 — Davis Mills' yards per completion

The Texans need to open it up and let the rookie loose. Playing it safe has proven a losing strategy, especially given the run game can’t get going. Houston’s only shot to move the ball down the field is to let Mills drive the ball and see what happens.

9 — Houston's rank for red zone defense

The Texans are allowing 66.7% conversions in the red zone, tied with the Cardinals, Colts, Chargers, Eagles, and Dolphins for the ninth-highest in the NFL. Houston’s hope to beat Buffalo is to force the Bills to kick field goals when they get inside the 20-yard line, not cash in with touchdowns.

8 — The Texans' rank for average depth of target against

Opponents have compiled an 8.4-yard average depth of target against, the eighth-highest in the league. Houston can’t give up chunk plays if they hope to stay in the game with the Bills. The Texans will have to find ways to force Buffalo to work for their yards.

7 — Buffalo's rank for most sacks

The Bills have generated nine sacks, tied with the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams for the seventh-highest in the league. Buffalo will be coming after Houston’s rookie quarterback. One way the Texans could help out Mills, if the run game doesn’t ignite for the third straight game, is to utilize quick passes.

6 — Josh Allen's passes that have been dropped

Bills receivers have dropped six of his passes, tied for the sixth-most in the NFL. The Bills’ passing attack can be dangerous, but there are still cracks in the dam. If the Texans can mind their own business and not shoot themselves in the foot, the Bills might just do it to themselves with dropped passes.

5 — Taron Johnson's pass breakups

The Bills cornerback has batted away five passes this season, tied for the third-most in the league. Johnson will be flying around in the backend and looking to make plays on the ball. The rookie signal caller needs to be careful.

4 — Buffalo's rank for takeaways

The Bills defense has generated six turnovers through the first three games, tied with the the Chargers and Colts for the fourth-most in the NFL. What Mills has done well through his first six quarters is protect the football. He will have to keep it up against Buffalo.

3 — Buffalo's rank for missed tackles

There may be another opportunity for Houston. The Bills have given up 31 missed tackles this year, the third-most in the league. What if the Texans do their job? It may give them enough of an opportunity to steal one, pending the Bills have a game where they are missing tackles.

2 — Josh Allen's rank for pressures

Opposing defenses have gotten to Allen 42 times, the second-most in the NFL. Only New York Jets rookie Zach Wilson has endured more pressure with 43 such instances. If the Texans’ pass rush can find a way to get after Allen and get him off balance, it may be their chance to drag a Pro Bowl quarterback down to a rookie’s level.

1 — Buffalo's rank for average starting field position

The Bills’ average starting field position is their own 35-yard line. Houston will have to ensure they win the special teams phase of the game and not give Buffalo any free yards.