Rookie quarterback Davis Mills will be making his second-career start against the Buffalo Bills in Week 4. The Houston Texans had to toss him under center after former Bill Tyrod Taylor, who was starting in place of Deshaun Watson himself, went down with a hamstring injury.
But the Texans (1-2) might have an ace in the hole. Houston head coach David Culley has experience coaching alongside Buffalo defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier.
In fact, Culley did so with the Bills (2-1) while he was Buffalo’s quarterbacks coach from 2017-2018.
Reflecting on that, Culley gave a very confident assessment of what he thinks Frazier’s game plan will be in Week 4. He’s expecting the heat to be sent.
“They can be very multiple and they will pressure you. I know this, on third down, I know we expect they’re going to play man coverage every third down, because that’s what he’s always done. They like blitzing five guys. I know with a rookie quarterback, I know he’s not going to sit back and just let four guys rush the passer. I know he’s going to add an extra guy just to see how he can handle it, and we’ll be ready for that,” Culley said.
Adding to the breakdown of the Bills was Mills. He’s well aware that a lot of the core on Buffalo’s defense has been together for several seasons and he admitted that might make it tough for him.
“They have a lot of experienced dudes on their defense. A lot of their guys have been in the system for a while and they do what they do at a high level,” Mills said. “I think as an offense just attacking that. We just got to go by our rules, and they are one of the teams that want to force you into check downs. Let’s spread the ball around, get the ball to our playmakers in space and let them win the one on ones.”
While the QB does want to play a part in potentially upsetting the Bills, he also acknowledged he needs help. The rushing attack has to play a part.
“[The run game] will be big. They’re not a huge pressure, load the box team. So, I think really starting the run game strong will always allow you to open up the pass game but emphasis on the run game’s going to be big this week,” Mills said.
Easier said than done. The Texans are fresh off a 24-9 loss to the Carolina Panthers last week and running back Mark Ingram only mustered 21 yards on the ground.
Regardless of run game or any inexperience the rookie QB has, Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott still sees talent in Mills. The Bills won’t be overlooking him.
“I think he can make every throw,” McDermott said via video conference. “He’s mobile enough to get out of the pocket and extend plays. Extremely smart,” “You look back at his career, he’s had a lot of success where he’s been. It seems like they found a really good quarterback.”
[lawrence-related id=88649,88643,88639]