NFL Game of the Week 7/12

By Hamish Girvan

Houston Texans at Buffalo Bills Monday 7am NZT
A typical O’Brien Locker Room speech

An AFC clash with potential playoff implications brings two coaches together with similar man management attributes however not in game experience. The much maligned Rex Ryan’s Buffalo Bills host Bill O’Brien’s Houston Texans in a game that may have a tiebreaker outcome should either reach the playoffs.

Ryan in in his first year as coach of the storied Buffalo Bills franchise who have never had the thrill of drinking from championship cup (however the Superbowl trophy does not hold liquid if you get the picture) Ryan has a relatively competitive team that he is stamping his mark on however in a division that has the New England Patriots you are always a team that is second best these days. Rex took his previous team, the New York Jets to two AFC Championship games only to lose at the final hurdle.

Bill O’Brien is in his second year as a head coach with the Houston Texans. We all got to see what makes O’Brien tick on this seasons Hard Knocks series which profiled the Texans in their preseason workouts. O’Brien like Ryan is a player’s coach and looks like he’s the type that would have a beer post game with the players

To be honest neither team was really given much of a shot this season – both now on the cusp however one bad loss could end their season

The Bills are home favourites and have been given a 3 point start – after their disappointing loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, in a game they should have won, they could easily take it out on O’Brien’s men. There may not be any days off from practice post this matchup for the Texans though.

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