The News' Allen Wilson breaks down the Bills-Texans matchup.

Man on fire

Texans QB Matt Schaub is playing at a high level with NFL bests of 2,074 passing yards and 16

touchdowns. He's averaging 373 yards with a 68.2 completion percentage, 10 TDs, two

interceptions and a 114.5 rating in three road games (two wins). All-Pro WR Andre Johnson (a

league-high 634 yards on 38 catches and four TDs) is a matchup nightmare because of his size

(6-foot-3, 225 pounds) and great speed. TE Owen Daniels (39 catches for 497 yards and five

TDs) makes teams pay for focusing on Johnson. RB Steve Slaton is a big-play receiver out of

the backfield. The Bills have benefited from some terrible quarterback performances. That

won't be the case today unless their pass rush defense disrupts Schaub's rhythm.

Going deep

Since QB Ryan Fitzpatrick replaced Trent Edwards, there have been more throws downfield. Not

all of them have been completed, but the threat of the long ball keeps defenses honest. The

Texans are aware of the damage Bills WR Lee Evans can inflict. He had the game of his life

against them in 2006 with 11 catches for a franchise-record 265 yards, including a pair of

83-yard touchdowns in the first quarter. Texans CB Dunta Robinson is capable of matching up

with Evans or WR Terrell Owens, but fellow CB Jacques Reeves is beatable. Besides DE Mario

Williams, the Texans don't rush the passer well without blitzing. If the Bills' beleaguered

offensive line picks up the extra rushers, Fitzpatrick might be able to connect on some long

passes.

Hey, remember me?

RB Fred Jackson has become a forgotten man in the Bills' offense since Marshawn Lynch returned

from his season-opening, three-game suspension. Jackson needs the ball in his hands more often

to be effective, but so does Lynch. That problem can only be solved by the offense extending

drives. After allowing an average of 205 yards rushing in the first three games, the Texans

have surrendered 48.5 yards per game over the last four. Pro Bowl MLB DeMeco Ryans and

impressive rookie OLB Brian Cushing lead a small but extremely fast front seven.

Will Slaton get his groove back?

Slaton is trying to regain the form of his rookie season in which he rushed for 1,282 yards.

Despite four lost fumbles, the Texans are sticking with him because of his game-breaking

ability. Although the Texans' strength is passing, they can't ignore the run. The Bills are

allowing an NFL-worst 172.4 yards per game and 5.2 per carry. Until they prove they can stop

the run, the Texans' game plan should feature a heavy dose of Slaton. They are 6-0 when he

gets 20 or more carries.

On the rebound

After a slow start, the Bills' usually solid special teams are back to their normal high

standards. In the last two games, the Bills have allowed a mere 1.2 yards per punt return and

14.6 on kickoff returns. Both coverage units will be tested by Jacoby Jones, whose 29.6-yard

kickoff return average is second best in the NFL among players with at least 10 attempts. His

10.4-yard average on punt returns is sixth best in the league. The Texans have been even

better covering kickoffs and punts, so Jackson, the Bills' return man, will need good blocking

to have a good day.

Prediction

A statement win? This would qualify as such. Bills, 23-20.