Texans Stroud treating Bills game as just another week
Houston hosts a key AFC matchup with Buffalo on Sunday with Stefon Diggs history with Bills looming in background
Ancelotti on CL loss Madrid stronger than ever
HOUSTON -- During training camp, the Houston Texans weren't shy about their goals and aspirations.
Cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. said they were "playing to go all the way," and wide receiver Nico Collins said the expectation was "Super Bowl."
On Sunday, the Texans (3-1) get their first test against one of the AFC's better teams in the Buffalo Bills (3-1). The Bills have 51 regular-season wins (second most) since 2020. They've won five playoff games, tied for the second most in the AFC with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Despite a 35-10 loss last week to the Baltimore Ravens, the Bills have been rolling and own the biggest point differential in the AFC (plus-39) heading into Week 5.
But inside NRG stadium, the Texans say they are viewing this matchup as just another game. They won't let the outside noise make Sunday (1 p.m. ET, CBS) in Houston bigger than what it is.
"[The matchup] really doesn't matter to me," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. "It's 'can we play our best versus our next opponent?' All of the storylines on the contenders and all -- we're in Week 5. Let's be the best team in Week 5, and that's the only thing that matters and that's where our focus is. If our focus gets off on anything else this week, then that won't help us on Sunday."
There will be a lot of focus on wide receiver Stefon Diggs though. Diggs was traded from the Bills this offseason after a seemingly rocky breakup. Diggs was in Buffalo from 2020 to 2023. During that time, he was named a first team All-Pro (2020). He had the most receptions (445) and receiving yards (5,372) and was tied for the most receiving touchdowns (37) of any quarterback-receiver duo during that span.
But to Diggs, he says it's just another game and that he has to "block out the noise."
"A lot of other people are gonna feel away or have a lot to say about X, Y, Z and I don't mind. I'm not mad at it," Diggs said. "Just trying to go 1-0. Obviously they're a good team. They have a lot of guys that can fly around on the defense. But they're a really good team. So I look forward to it."
But even though this week is just another game, Ryans is "fired up about this matchup," and Houston has a chance to win at least four games in the first five for the first time 2012.
"With where we are now, we're just excited for the next one versus the Bills," Ryans said. "Really good opponent is coming into our house, so we're excited."
The other element to this game is the quarterback matchup: C.J. Stroud vs. Josh Allen.
Stroud didn't face the Bills in his rookie year, but after the Texans and Bills won their divisions last season, the matchup was set.
Allen has finished top-three in MVP voting twice -- including last season -- and coming into Week 5, he is leading the league in total QBR (82) and spearheading an offense that's ranks second in scoring (30.5).
Stroud is coming off a successful rookie campaign and had a historic year where he was named to the Pro Bowl, and he won Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.
But when Stroud was asked if the quarterback matchup added excitement he said "not really."
"[Allen is] a heck of a football player, but, of course, yeah, my competitive nature is I want to win my one-on-one," Stroud said. "But it's not an added juice or anything. It's just another week, trying to go 1-0 versus myself. I think whenever I get in my own way is when I play bad or when I don't play as great as I can. But when I'm focusing on what I've got going on, then that's when I do well."
Coming into Week 5, the Bills are allowing 20 points per game (12th fewest), holding opposing quarterbacks to a passer rating of 78.1 (fifth lowest) and their 165.3 passing yards allowed per game is the the sixth lowest.
But against the Ravens, they allowed 271 rushing yards -- led by running back Derrick Henry, who finished with 199 -- and their 156 rushing yards allowed per game ranks 30th entering Week 5.
The Texans have struggled to consistently attack teams on the ground, though. They average 106 yards per game (19th) but only have 214 yards in the past three games, second fewest in the NFL. Running back Joe Mixon's two-game absence contributed to those struggles (139 rushing yards), and it's uncertain whether he'll return this week.
The Texans will lean on their passing game to propel them if Mixon can't go and that's been an effective formula. In the first four weeks, Stroud ranked fifth in passing yards (1,054) and Diggs ranked sixth in receptions (25). Collins became the first player since 1999 to lead the league in receiving yards by over 100 yards through the first four weeks of a season.
"[I just] let the game come to me," Collins said. "Step between the lines [and] just have fun. At the end of the day, it's just football. That's the mindset I got to have, be the best one out there and beat the guy in front of me."
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Bournemouth's record signing Evanilson scored his first goal for the club \nas the Cherries beat Southampton 3-1 on Monday.","Martin slams Southampton after 5th loss of season? Southampton coach Russell Martin hammered his side for their lack of \nfighting spirit during the 3-1 away defeat to south-coast rivals","Bournemouth news: Opinion - Fan on Saints v Cherries rivalry? Bournemouth's relationship with Southampton is strange. With the Saints' \ntraditionally having a rivalry with Portsmouth, any kind of","Southampton captain admits collective responsibility after unacceptable \nperformance? Southampton are now looking forward to the massive Arsenal away fixture at \nthe weekend before the return of the international break.","Bournemouth 'on track' as Southampton stall? Bournemouth's stadium announcer Mike Botto found some unlikely national \nattention on social media after Monday's 3-1 win over Southampton.","Martin rallies \"soft\" Saints for Arsenal battle? Smarting after a gutless 3-1 defeat by Bournemouth, Southampton manager \nRussell Martin says the task ahead of Saturday's trip to high-flying","Cook says Semenyo has \"got another level\" after fantastic form for \nBournemouth? He notched a sensational goal in a 3-1 win over Southampton in the Premier \nLeague. Advertisement. Advertisement.","Evanilson off the mark as Cherries spank Saints? AFC Bournemouth's record signing Evanilson on Monday scored his first goal \nfor the club as the Cherries beat Southampton 3-1 in the English","Preview: Al-Nassr vs. Al Orubah - prediction, team news, lineups? This weekend's Saudi Pro League clash between Al-Nassr and Al Orubah is set \nto be a thrilling encounter, with the high-flying hosts aiming","Al-Nassr vs Al Orobah Live Football Streaming For Saudi Pro League 2024-25 \nMatch: How to Watch NSSR vs ORO? Here you will get the details of how to livestream the Al Nassr vs Al \nOrobah Saudi Pro League 2024-25. Also check which website, app, and","Will Cristiano Ronaldo play tonight in SPL? How to watch Al-Nassr vs \nAl-Orobah live streaming?? Yes, Cristiano Ronaldo is available to play in the upcoming match against \nAl-Orobah as he eyes to play club football after his incredible","Al-Nasr duo excluded from the Al-Orouba match? Al-Nasr coach Stefano Pioli made the decision to exclude the team's duo \nfrom.","Pioli intent on keeping Al Nassr flying, while colossal clash in Jeddah? Matchweek 6 of the 2024-25 Roshn Saudi League concludes on Saturday with Al \nNassr's lead stars in fabulous form, and a marquee match closing out the \naction.","Al-Nassr vs Al-Orobah LIVE Score Updates, Stream Info and How to Watch \nSaudi Pro League Match? Tune in here Al-Nassr vs Al-Orobah Live Score. Do not miss a detail of the \nmatch with the live updates and commentaries of VAVEL.","Where to watch Al Nassr vs. Al Orobah: Ronaldo live stream, TV channel, \nstart time, lineups, prediction for Saudi Pro League match? Al Nassr will hope to make it five wins in a row in all competitions when \nthey host Al Orobah in a Saudi Pro League game on Saturday.","Is Cristiano Ronaldo Playing Tonight for Al Nassr vs Al Orobah?? After some AFC Champions League action, Al Nassr is back to basics. The \nKnights of the Najd return to pitch for their Saudi Pro League clash","Al-Nassr vs Al-Orobah Prediction, lineups, betting tips & odds? Al Nassr will be back in league action after their AFC Championship League \nwin over Al Rayyan. After their underwhelming start to the season","\u201cHe\u2019s turned into Al-Nassr\u2019s Rashford\u201d, \u201cGet him outta here\u201d - Fans furious \nwith \u2018fraud\u2019 playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo in line-up vs Al-Orobah? Al-Nassr fans have criticized Stefano Pioli's decision to name Talisca \nalongside Cristiano Ronaldo in the side's starting XI against","Kalvin Phillips: Pep Guardiola 'overweight' comments left midfielder \n'frustrated'? Kalvin Phillips says that \"narratives\" which followed former manager Pep \nGuardiola's comments about his weight left him feeling","\u201cI\u2019m not joking\u201d \u2013 Kalvin Phillips shares incredible Marcelo Bielsa \ntraining routine at Leeds United? Former Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips has shared further insight \ninto the rigorous training methods employed by Marcelo Bielsa at","Patrick Bamford and Kalvin Phillips on same page over Leeds United icon \nMarcelo Bielsa? Get the latest Leeds United news delivered straight to your inbox each day \n- sign up for free email updates. More Newsletters. Subscribe","West Ham v Ipswich: Kalvin Phillips chats Hammers loan spell? Ipswich's Kalvin Phillips has spoken about his loan spell at West Ham on \nthe latest episode of My Mate's A Footballer with Leeds striker","Man City flop Kalvin Phillips makes fresh confession on Pep\u2019s \u2018overweight\u2019 \njibe and details negative impact on career? Manchester City loanee Kalvin Phillips says he was \"frustrated\" with the \n\"narratives\" that followed him in the wake of manager Pep Guardiola","Martin Keown claims Pep Guardiola made a big mistake with \u00a345m Man City \nplayer? After Kalvin Phillips recently revealed that Guardiola's comments on him \nbeing overweight after the 2022 World Cup frustrated him,","Phillips feeling the love at Ipswich after negative West Ham experience, \nsays McKenna? Kalvin Phillips is benefitting from being in a positive environment at \nIpswich Town, says manager Kieran McKenna. The former Leeds and","Kalvin Phillips shares the truth on what really happened regarding infamous \nspat with West Ham fan? The 28-year-old has now joined Ipswich Town on loan from Man City. And \nPhillips will have to face the Hammers fans at the London Stadium","Kalvin Phillips claims 'every club asked about his weight' after Pep \nGuardiola labelled him 'overweight' - as Man City outcast reveals he is \nback to his Leeds level at Ipswich? Phillips expressed frustration at a 'narrative' that grew over his fitness \nlevels; The midfielder is seeking to reignite his career during a loan \nspell at","'At West Ham there were a lot of eyes on me' - Phillips? Ipswich's Kalvin Phillips has spoken about his loan spell at West Ham on \nthe latest episode of My Mate's A Footballer with Leeds striker Patrick \nBamford and","Man United fans leave early and boo the players after 3-0 humbling at home \nto Tottenham? MANCHESTER, England (AP) \u2014 By the time Dominic Solanke slid in Tottenham's \nthird goal, some Manchester United fans had seen enough.","Ipswich Town vs. Aston Villa EPL Prediction \u2013 Sunday, September 29? Week 6 of the English Premier League concludes on Sunday, September 29, \nwith a matchup between 17th-place Ipswich Town and third-place Aston","Unai Emery frustrated Villa could not go joint top after being held by \nIpswich? Unai Emery acknowledged Aston Villa's 2-2 draw at Ipswich was a fair \nresult, but had hoped they would end the day joint-top of the Premier","Villa denied as Delap sparkles in Ipswich draw? Aston Villa missed the chance to go second in the Premier League as Liam \nDelap's double rescued Ipswich in a 2-2 draw at Portman Road on","Aston Villa draw ahead of hosting Bayern in Champions League? Aston Villa were held to a 2-2 draw away at promoted Ipswich Town in the \nEnglish Premier League four days before Bayern visit Villa Park in the \nChampions","Dermot Gallagher has 'lucky' Aston Villa theory in Stuart Attwell and \nIpswich Town controversy? Aston Villa were held to a 2-2 draw at Portman Road but not everyone was \nhappy with the performance of the referee.","Ipswich news: Opinion - Who can back up Liam Delap's goalscoring efforts?? 'Liam Delap ole ole!' rang out across Portman Road on Sunday afternoon, as \nthe Ipswich Town faithful acknowledged another goalscoring impact","Ipswich have 'so many positives to take' from Villa draw - McKenna? Kieran McKenna saluted his players after Ipswich Town extended their \nunbeaten run to four games by salvaging a point against Aston Villa.","Extended HLs: Ipswich Town v. Aston Villa MWK 6? Liam Delap's double helped lead Ipswich Town to a pivotal point in a 2-2 \ndraw against Aston Villa at Portman Road Stadium in Matchweek 6.","Defensive problems exposed again as Villa drop points away at Ipswich Town? Aston Villa dropped points for just the second time this season as they \nwere held to a 2-2 draw by Premier League new boys Ipswich Town.","It's WAR! England and Portugal call-up Wolves striker Mane to U18 squads? The striker also qualifies for Portugal and at the same time has been \nincluded in their U18 call this week.","Premier League starlet is embroiled in bizarre international row after \nbeing called up by both England AND Portugal Under 18s - on the same day!? A Premier League youngster has been called up by England and Portugal; The \nprospect is eligible for both countries and will decide who to play for","Wolves star caught up in bizarre international row after he\u2019s called up by \nboth England AND Portugal U18s o...? 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A Premier League youngster has been called up by England and Portugal; The \nprospect is eligible for both countries and will decide who to play for","Coveted 2025 in-state recruiting target visiting Penn State for UCLA game? Penn State received a last-minute visit Saturday from one of its longtime \nhigh-priority recruiting targets \u2014 and it's a player committed","Weekly Penn State visitor spotlight: Nittany Lions hosting top cornerback \ntarget against UCLA? Lions247 takes a look at one of the most important prospects Penn State is \nset to host this weekend against UCLA and why fans should be monitoring \nhim","2026 Four-star Athlete From New Jersey To Visit Penn State This Weekend? One of New Jersey's top prospects in the 2026 recruiting class will be on \ncampus this weekend.","North Jersey standouts highlight latest additions to Penn State's \nrecruiting visitor list? Penn State's noon start time against UCLA will cut down on the visitor list \ndue to time constraints. Still, some top names have confirmed.","Penn State Football Recruiting: Nittany Lions hosting two more prospects \ncommitted elsewhere on Saturday? Lions247 has confirmed that a pair of Penn State's flip targets have \narrived on campus for Saturday's matchup with UCLA.","TBT: Penn State and UCLA projected starters as recruits? One of Happy Valley Insider's weekly game preview pieces is our Throwback \nThursday piece, where we compare the Penn State Football starters","Tyler's Tidbits: Latest look at expected visitors for UCLA + James Franklin \npays a visit to top flip target? Tyler's Tidbits provides the latest Penn State recruiting intel.","Top247 cornerback added to group of expected visitors for Penn State-UCLA? Nearly 30 recruits have shared their plans to attend Penn State's Saturday \nafternoon matchup with UCLA and the latest addition to the list","Which recruits are expected to attend Penn State-UCLA on Saturday?? Lions247 takes a look at the group of recruits expected to travel to State \nCollege on Saturday afternoon to watch Penn State as it hosts","Tyler's Tidbits: What is the latest on Penn State basketball's \ntop-remaining 2025 target?? Tyler's Tidbits provides the latest Penn State recruiting intel. Tyler \nCalvaruso Oct 2nd, 9:27 AM VIP","Getafe vs. Osasuna (Oct 5, 2024) Pregame? Pregame analysis and predictions of the Getafe vs. Osasuna Spanish Laliga \ngame to be played on October 5, 2024 on ESPN.","Getafe vs Osasuna: Match Preview and Predictions? October 5, 2024 17:15. Getafe. \"Coliseum\". La Liga 2024-25. Matchday \n9Getafe vs. Osasuna (Pamplona)Where to watch: MEGOGO,","Getafe vs Osasuna Prediction, 10\/5\/2024 La Liga Soccer Pick, Tips and Odds? Getafe is taking on Osasuna at 10:15 AM EST on Saturday, October 5, 2024. \nThe starting goalies are David Soria Getafe and Sergio Herrera","Getafe vs. Osasuna Prediction by Proven Computer Model [10\/5\/2024]? Our detailed prediction and analysis for the Getafe vs. Osasuna La Liga \ngame on October 5, 2024 is featured below. Drawing from 10,000 game","Preview: Getafe vs. Osasuna - prediction, team news, lineups? Osasuna will be aiming to make it three wins from their last four matches \nin La Liga when they continue their campaign with an away fixture","Getafe vs Osasuna Prediction and Betting Tips | 5th October 2024? The 2024-25 edition of La Liga is back in action with another set of \nmatches this weekend as Getafe take on an impressive Osasuna side in an","Getafe vs. Osasuna Prediction, Odds, La Liga Picks [10\/5\/2024]? La Liga action continues on Saturday, October 5 at 10:15AM ET as Osasuna \ntakes on Getafe at Estadio Coliseum."]
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performance? Southampton are now looking forward to the massive Arsenal away fixture at
the weekend before the return of the international break.Evanilson off the mark as Cherries spank Saints? AFC Bournemouth's record signing Evanilson on Monday scored his first goal
for the club as the Cherries beat Southampton 3-1 in the English
Al-Nasr duo excluded from the Al-Orouba match? Al-Nasr coach Stefano Pioli made the decision to exclude the team's duo
from.
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training routine at Leeds United? Former Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips has shared further insight
into the rigorous training methods employed by Marcelo Bielsa at
Martin Keown claims Pep Guardiola made a big mistake with £45m Man City
player? After Kalvin Phillips recently revealed that Guardiola's comments on him
being overweight after the 2022 World Cup frustrated him,
'At West Ham there were a lot of eyes on me' - Phillips? Ipswich's Kalvin Phillips has spoken about his loan spell at West Ham on
the latest episode of My Mate's A Footballer with Leeds striker Patrick
Bamford andVilla denied as Delap sparkles in Ipswich draw? Aston Villa missed the chance to go second in the Premier League as Liam
Delap's double rescued Ipswich in a 2-2 draw at Portman Road on
Ipswich have 'so many positives to take' from Villa draw - McKenna? Kieran McKenna saluted his players after Ipswich Town extended their
unbeaten run to four games by salvaging a point against Aston Villa.
Premier League starlet is embroiled in bizarre international row after
being called up by both England AND Portugal Under 18s - on the same day!? A Premier League youngster has been called up by England and Portugal; The
prospect is eligible for both countries and will decide who to play forSoccer-Portugal call up same player named in England Under-18 squad? Mane was called up for a second successive England youth camp by coach Liam
Bramley before the team travel to Marbella for a four-team tournament this
month
2026 Four-star Athlete From New Jersey To Visit Penn State This Weekend? One of New Jersey's top prospects in the 2026 recruiting class will be on
campus this weekend.
Tyler's Tidbits: Latest look at expected visitors for UCLA + James Franklin
pays a visit to top flip target? Tyler's Tidbits provides the latest Penn State recruiting intel.Getafe vs. Osasuna (Oct 5, 2024) Pregame? Pregame analysis and predictions of the Getafe vs. Osasuna Spanish Laliga
game to be played on October 5, 2024 on ESPN.
Preview: Getafe vs. Osasuna - prediction, team news, lineups? Osasuna will be aiming to make it three wins from their last four matches
in La Liga when they continue their campaign with an away fixture