Bills praise 'unreal' Josh Allen ahead of game vs. Texans' stout D
Reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen may have reached the point in the campaign where he's decided to single-handedly carry the Buffalo Bills.
Fresh off an epic performance, Allen aims to be in top form during a short week when the Bills visit the Houston Texans on Thursday night.
Allen passed for three touchdowns and rushed for three more in Sunday's 44-32 victory over the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That marked the third time in NFL history that a quarterback had three passing touchdowns and three rushing scores in the same game.
Allen has done it twice, the first time coming last December during a 44-42 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Hall of Famer Otto Graham of the Cleveland Browns also accomplished it during the 1954 NFL title game.
Allen's 75 career rushing touchdowns are tied with Cam Newton for the all-time regular-season record by a quarterback. Allen has 10 rushing scores this season, third-most in the NFL.
"There's no need to overthink it," Bills wideout Khalil Shakir told reporters. "I mean, he's unreal at everything he does. The best player in the league by far, and he's going to show that every game day."
Allen passed for 317 yards against Tampa Bay while leading Buffalo (7-3) to its highest point total of the season. It was the third time the Bills scored at least 40.
Allen (2,456 passing yards, 18 touchdowns) is hoping to thrive versus the Texans (5-5), who have won three of their past four games. Buffalo also has won three of its past four contests.
"We got a game Thursday night, so it's a completely different team that we're facing, completely different defense," Allen said. "Not sure what the game plan is going to look like, but we got to start fast (against Houston)."
Still to be determined is how many of Allen's targets will be available.
Shakir (personal) and fellow receivers Curtis Samuel (elbow/neck) and Mecole Hardman Jr. (calf) missed two days of workouts, as did tight end Dalton Kincaid (hamstring). Kincaid missed the Tampa Bay game.
Also, receiver Keon Coleman was inactive against the Buccaneers as a disciplinary measure after being late to a team meeting on Friday. His status remains unknown.
Meanwhile, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (concussion) will miss his third straight game. He participated lightly in practice Tuesday but hasn't cleared the protocol.
Safety Jalen Pitre (concussion) also was ruled out for the third consecutive contest. He is tied with cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. for the team lead of three interceptions.
"Both guys are progressing, they're doing better," Houston coach DeMeco Ryans said Tuesday. "But right now with the short turnaround game on Thursday, just don't have enough days for those guys to be available."
Davis Mills will start in place of Stroud for the third consecutive week. Ryans said Mills is simply playing within himself.
"Davis is just doing his job," Ryans said. "It gets heightened with the quarterback position, but it's no different than any other position. You got to go out and execute the fundamentals and details of your job the right way and that's all we're asking from him."
In two-plus games since Stroud was injured during an 18-15 loss to the Denver Broncos, Mills has completed 70 of 116 throws (60.3%) for 703 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. He also has rushed for a score.
Mills passed for 274 yards and one touchdown in last weekend's 16-13 road win over the Tennessee Titans.
Led by defensive ends Danielle Hunter (nine sacks) and Will Anderson Jr. (eight), the Texans have a stout all-around defense.
Houston leads the NFL in scoring defense (16.3 points per game) and total defense (258.1 yards per game) and stands third in rushing defense at 87.1.
Houston linebacker Jamal Hill (hamstring) hasn't practiced the past two days. His value lies on special teams.
The Texans registered a 23-20 home win over the Bills last season when Ka'imi Fairbairn kicked a 59-yard field goal as time expired.
NFL BREAKING: The Detroit Lions Make History by Appointing a Man as Their CHEERING CAPTAIN for the 2025-2026 Season
The Detroit Lions have made a move that’s breaking tradition and stirring conversation far beyond the football field. For the first time in NFL history, the team has appointed a man as their official cheering captain for the upcoming 2025-2026 season. The announcement, made quietly via a social media post late Tuesday night, quickly exploded into a full-blown national debate, with videos of his high-energy performances spreading like wildfire and generating millions of views within hours.
The man at the center of it all is 28-year-old Marcus “Blaze” Hartman, a Detroit native known for his electrifying dance skills, fearless showmanship, and ability to rally a crowd like few others. Hartman, who previously performed with professional dance troupes and appeared on national talent shows, was selected after an open audition process that drew hundreds of applicants. Team officials described him as “charismatic, dynamic, and exactly the kind of energy we want on the sidelines.”
But what might have been a lighthearted, feel-good story has instead sparked heated controversy. Within minutes of the announcement, fans began clashing online. Supporters hailed the decision as progressive and inclusive, breaking the gender stereotypes that have defined professional cheerleading for decades. “It’s 2025 — about time we let talent speak for itself,” one Lions fan tweeted. Others praised the team for embracing diversity in a role traditionally reserved for women, noting that male cheerleaders are common in college sports but still rare in the NFL.
On the other side, critics have accused the Lions of turning a football tradition into a publicity stunt. Some season ticket holders posted that they were “disappointed” and even threatened to boycott games, arguing that the move is a distraction from the team’s focus on winning. “We want touchdowns, not TikTok dancers,” one detractor wrote on Facebook, summing up the sentiment of a vocal minority who see the appointment as unnecessary.
Marcus Hartman, unfazed by the backlash, has taken to social media to introduce himself directly to Lions Nation. In a video that’s already surpassed two million views, he addressed the camera in full team gear, saying, “Detroit, I’m here to bring the noise, bring the pride, and help you lose your voice every Sunday. This is our season. Let’s go!” The clip showed snippets of his jaw-dropping flips, dance routines, and crowd-leading chants, accompanied by the roaring approval of fans who have already seen him in action during preseason events.
Inside the Lions organization, the decision appears to have strong support. Several players have publicly welcomed Hartman, with defensive star Aidan Hutchinson posting, “If he can get Ford Field rocking even louder, I’m all for it.” Head coach Dan Campbell, known for his fiery personality, shrugged off the controversy in his typical blunt fashion: “If a guy’s out there making our fans loud, making it tough for the other team, I don’t care if it’s a guy, girl, robot, or lion mascot. Loud is loud.”
Still, the move raises questions about the evolving role of entertainment in professional sports. NFL teams have long relied on cheer squads to add energy and visual spectacle to the game-day experience. With the rise of social media, that role has expanded, turning cheerleaders into brand ambassadors and viral content creators. By bringing in a male cheering captain, the Lions are signaling a willingness to shake up that formula — and they’re betting that the buzz will translate into even greater fan engagement.
The team has already released footage of Hartman’s routines, showcasing his blend of acrobatics, hip-hop choreography, and interactive chants. In one viral clip, he sprints the length of the sideline waving an enormous Lions flag, then launches into a series of backflips before landing in a split, all while leading a “One Pride!” chant that reverberated through the stadium. Whether you love it or hate it, it’s impossible to deny the man’s skill and stage presence.
As the season approaches, the debate shows no signs of slowing down. Sports talk radio in Detroit has devoted entire segments to the topic, with callers passionately defending or condemning the move. National media outlets have picked up the story, framing it as part of a larger cultural shift in sports toward inclusivity and breaking old traditions. “The Lions aren’t just building a football team,” one columnist wrote. “They’re building a brand — and they know exactly how to get people talking.”
For Marcus Hartman, the mission is simple: keep the crowd fired up and the energy level at Ford Field unmatched. “You’re gonna see me every week, rain or shine, win or lose,” he said in another post. “And if you’re not standing and screaming by the end of the game, I’m not doing my job.” With that kind of confidence, it’s clear he’s not just stepping into the role — he’s owning it.
Whether this groundbreaking move becomes a beloved part of Lions culture or a short-lived experiment will depend on how fans respond once the season is underway. But one thing is already certain: the Detroit Lions have made history, and the NFL is paying attention.
