The NFL's loaded Week 1 slate includes a marquee showdown between two prominent AFC contenders in the Houston Texans and Buffalo Bills. Will Anderson Jr. hyped up Sunday's marquee showdown. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Anderson anticipated a playoff environment for Houston's season-opening game at Reliant Stadium.
"This is an AFC Championship matchup," Anderson said. We have a ton of respect for them. Josh Allen leading the way, really great offensive line.
James Cook, the best running back in the league, one of the best running backs in the league. It's gonna be a great matchup for us. The type of atmosphere that I’m feeling like it’s gonna be on Sunday is gonna be that AFC Championship-type feel." The Texans and Bills fell short of last season's AFC Championship Game, each losing in the Divisional Round.
Houston hasn't played for a conference title since joining the NFL in 2002 and hasn't faced Buffalo in the playoffs since a 2019 Wild Card Round overtime win in Josh Allen's postseason debut. But it's certainly plausible for their paths to cross this winter. The Bills and Texans are favored to win their respective divisions and are among the AFC's top contenders entering the 2026 campaign.
Although they're still seeking a Super Bowl appearance, the Bills have won at least 10 games in each of the last seven seasons. They'll start Allen's ninth year under center against an elite Texans defense anchored by Anderson, who tallied 12 sacks during an All-Pro season. Sunday's potential playoff preview between the Texans and Bills kicks off at 1 p.m.
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