Unfortunately for this Tyrod fan, No Rod in the forecast today, but we have football. The Bills will seek to grow their AFC win total today in a sloppy Sunday at Highmark. It ends up being a dirty day for Buffalo, as this game was looking like an easy romp, the weather now plays a factor. Let’s break it all down in your weekly Sunday AM #PREGAMEDUMP.

Wet Ball

Though I absolutely despise a wet ball, this will be a good wet-ball-litmus-test for Josh Allen and the rest of the offense. It’s probably a good thing that we aren’t playing a top tier team today, now that we see the weather is ugly. I believe that in September, the sun always shines on Sundays in Orchard Park, but in October the weather couldn’t be worse. It’s not as cold as November or December, but it has the leaves and teases of Summer sun, when wind and wet can fly in at any moment. We will know after today how Josh Allen can play in the slop.

Down & Dirty

The Texans are a team with nothing to lose. They have a backup in, but they know Tyrod Taylor is coming back soon. I’ve spoken here before about how the Bills were once the “maybe today” team. We must continue to evolve and learn as WINNERS in the locker room and understand that we will get every bad teams’ best shot, including Houston today. The fight up front will be dirty today, as the Texans will enjoy a wet ball that will certainly not hurt their chances against the hot handed Josh Allen and co.

Run Rabbit Run

We will see how the slickery conditions impact the game, but we can all assume a bit more run game today. The Bills have yet to be able to really ground and pound a team into submission, often relying on the fairy tale plays of 17 to make their money. Today will be a big test on the toughness of our front 5, and our resiliency as a unit. It’s going to get ugly, but can we look pretty in the slop?

D- Nice?

The Texans defense once featured JJ Watt and Jadeveous Clowney, but that era is over. Christian Kirksey is a tough linebacker who you’ll see flying around, and Whitney Mercilus is as scary as his name sounds, a longtime player in the league who can get to the QB against anyone. One of my favorite opposing linebackers Zach Cunningham who wears #41 is out today, which Josh Allen should be happy about. Former 1st round pick Vernon Hargreaves III is no slouch at corner. They will fight, as the AFC South is wide open right now.

Final Prediction

The wet ball changes things. I had us winning this one early and easily, about 44-13 before I woke up this morning. The sound of dripping rain could be a beautiful sound to some in the Houston Locker room, but Davis Mills will be the big question mark. His west coast background tells me he probably hasn’t played too much Northeastern Slop Ball. The Texans have a nice stable of 3 running backs in Mark Ingram, Philip Lindsay and David Johnson, which should help in the one-dimensional rain. They don’t have too much on the outside, with Danny Amendola out they have Brandin Cooks and Chris Conley as wideouts, and Pharoh Brown and Jordan Akins at TE. They don’t have a bad team for a day like today, if their line can push up front.

The Bills toughness will be tested in the trenches. A fun day at the park became a sloppy survivor contest. Despite Bills fans thinking this will be a blowout on paper I have a gritty one that leads Allen into playing the whole game unfortunately. Bills defense wins us another one as a few nice plays come out of our sex appeal, but the rain ruins all the fun. 23-9 Bills. BOOKIT.

Stay tuned after the game for a final breakdown in the #POSTGAMEWRAPUP! Go Bills!