Houston’s Calen Bullock intercepted reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen twice, and the league’s top-ranked defense led the Texans to a 23-19 victory over Buffalo on Thursday.

Allen was sacked eight times—his highest total in a single game—losing 70 yards, and Bullock’s final interception sealed the Bills’ last-ditch drive with just 18 seconds left.

The Texans, who allow the fewest points and yards per game this season, contained Allen, who had thrown six touchdowns in a win over Tampa Bay just four days earlier.

“The defense stayed disciplined,” Houston’s Danielle Hunter said. “We had a game plan to keep him contained in the pocket, and I think we executed well all around.”

Davis Mills, starting for the injured C.J. Stroud, improved to 3-0 as Houston’s starter, completing 16-of-30 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns.

“He’s just going to keep going and make plays,” Hunter added.

Allen completed 24-of-34 passes for 253 yards but struggled under the Texans’ relentless pressure, throwing two interceptions and facing constant pressure.

With the loss, Buffalo fell to 7-4, two games behind AFC East leader New England (9-2). Houston improved to 6-5, just half a game behind Jacksonville for the final AFC wildcard spot.

The game opened with a quick score from the Bills as James Cook ran 45 yards for a touchdown, though Matt Prater missed the conversion, giving Buffalo a 6-0 lead. Houston’s Ka’imi Fairbairn responded with a 24-yard field goal, while Prater added a 44-yarder to extend Buffalo’s lead to 9-3.

Houston answered with a 77-yard, 12-play drive capped by Christian Kirk’s two-yard touchdown catch from Mills. Fairbairn’s extra point gave the Texans a 10-9 advantage, later extended by a 43-yard field goal.

Buffalo struck back immediately on the ensuing kickoff, as Ray Davis returned it 97 yards for a touchdown to give the Bills a 16-13 edge.

But Mills connected with Jayden Higgins on an eight-yard touchdown pass with five seconds left in the first half. Fairbairn’s kick put Houston ahead 20-16 at halftime.

“It was a perfect two-minute drive,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “Couldn’t ask for anything better.”

Fairbairn added a 26-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter, pushing Houston’s lead to 23-16. The Bills responded with a drive that reached the 23-yard line but stalled on downs, then managed a 38-yard Prater field goal to narrow the gap to 23-19 with 5:44 remaining.

Buffalo’s final drive spanned 60 yards in 13 plays, only to be thwarted when Bullock intercepted Allen’s fourth-down pass, clinching the victory for Houston.