Buffalo Bills (2-1) at Houston Texans (2-1)

Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at Reliant Stadium, Houston — TV: CBS

*TV announcers: Spero Dedes, Solomon Wilcots

*Keys to the game: Both teams’ surprising strong starts came to screeching halts with blowout Week 3 losses in which preseason concerns about their respective passers were major factors.

The Bills’ strength lies in their deep backfield, and the Texans know to expect a constant dose of C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson after getting trucked over for 176 yards on 34 carries by Giants journeyman Rashad Jennings last week. QB EJ Manual struggled to move the ball when playing from behind against San Diego. He has largely been avoiding turnovers, but the inability to make quick reads and a lack of accuracy continue to hold the passing game down. The offensive line also struggled against San Diego, with a stiffer test on tap against Houston’s strong pass rush.

The Texans found out just how vulnerable their offense is minus RB Arian Foster, who remains day to day after missing last week’s loss with a hamstring injury. Houston quickly fell behind and QB Ryan Fitzpatrick’s history as a streaky and turnover prone passer reared its ugly head. In what could amount to a field position game, production from the ground game is critical after the Giants started five of their 13 drives inside Houston territory.

*Matchup to watch — Bills CB Nickell Roby vs. Texans WR Demaris Johnson: After a strong rookie season as the nickel back, Roby has had a tough opening month to his sophomore campaign.

*Player spotlight — Bills DE Mario Williams: The No. 1 overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft by the Texans, Williams is now in his third season with the Bills and returns to Houston still the primary focus of opposing offensive coordinators.

*Fast facts: Bills rookie WR Sammy Watkins is tied for the AFC lead with seven third-down receptions. … Fitzpatrick spent four seasons with the Bills (2009-12), and is third in franchise history with 80 touchdown passes.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

Much depends on the health of Foster, who admitted the difficulty in returning from hamstring injuries. With him, the Texans play the field position game and protect Fitzpatrick. Without him, the Bills steal a page out of the Giants’ playbook and steadily hammer with their own ground game.

*Our pick: Texans 21-19