The Houston Texans got themselves going. Seemingly, a J.J. Watt sack started everything, a Deshaun Watson 20-yard scampered helped and a Whitney Mercilus forced fumbles on Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen did more.
On third-down, in the first minute of the fourth quarter, Allen stepped up in the pocket, only to be met by Texans outside linebacker Mercilus. The now newly extended pass-rusher forced a fumble on Allen, and Houston recovered from giving the Texans the ball back down eight.
Watch below, Mercilus makes the clutch play on the second-year Bills quarterback.
Have Merci!
Whitney Mercilus forces the fumble at midfield! #WeAreTexans @Merci380
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Watch free on mobile: https://t.co/g2IubuwcCg pic.twitter.com/SUpUxDQeH5— NFL (@NFL) January 4, 2020
With the play, the Texans have hope. After entering halftime down 13-0, Houston has a shot at giving Watson his first NFL playoff win. Last year, they were unsuccessful; this year that can change, but the third-year quarterback will have to continue to perform.
Unfortunately, the Texans were not able to capitalize with six points, as Watson took his sixth sack of the day late into the ensuing drive. Kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn drilled a field goal to narrow the Bills’ lead to five.