The last two times that the Texans faced the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a nail-biter ensued, yet the Texans came out on top in each matchup. In 2019, the Texans jumped out to a big lead courtesy of Tampa Bay QB Jameis Winston's gifts of interceptions, then, along with the help of current Texans WR Justin Watson, Winston got Tampa Bay back in the game. But, a fourth quarter drive, and Kai'mi Fairbairn field goal, salted away the win and the 2019 AFC South championship.
Two years ago at NRG Stadium, though, the Bucs' offense put on a show and took a late lead on a Baker Mayfield to Cade Otton TD late in the fourth quarter. But, the rookie wunderkind C.J. Stroud found his pal, star rookie WR Tank Dell in the end zone with just seven seconds remaining for an improbable 39-37 win over Mayfield's Bucs.
Flash forward to the present day and it's time for these two South Division champions to take the field on Monday Night Football in week two and it's going to be a doozy. The Texans took a tough defeat on the chin out in Los Angeles in week one, while the Bucs came back from behind to beat the Falcons in Atlanta 23-20. Mayfield was brilliant down the stretch in that win and rookie WR Emeka Egbuka had two touchdowns in his first game. This one should be a football war.
As such, let's get to Know the Texans' Week 2 Foe for Monday Night - the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2025 Schedule (1-0)
Week 1 - W @ Atlanta Falcons 23-20
Week 2 - @ Houston Texans (MNF)
Week 3 - New York Jets
Week 4 - Philadelphia Eagles
Week 5 - @ Seattle Seahawks
Week 6 - San Francisco 49ers
Week 7 - @ Detroit Lions
Week 8 - @ New Orleans Saints
Week 9 - Bye Week
Week 10 - New England Patriots
Week 11 - @ Buffalo Bills
Week 12 - @ Los Angeles Rams
Week 13 - Arizona Cardinals
Week 14 - New Orleans Saints
Week 15 - Atlanta Falcons
Week 16 - @ Carolina Panthers
Week 17 - @ Miami Dolphins
Week 18 - Carolina Panthers
Buccaneers OFFENSE (in 2025 regular season)
Rushing Yards Per game - 101.0 ypg (17th in the NFL)
Passing Yards Per game - 159.0 ypg (22nd)
Total offense per game - 260.0 ypg (24th)
Turnovers lost - None
Expected Buccaneers starting offense for Week 2
QB - BAKER MAYFIELD
RB - Bucky Irving
WR - Mike Evans
WR - Sterling Shepard or Chris Godwin (originally thought to be out for weeks)
WR - EMEKA EGBUKA
TE - Cade Otton
TE - Payne Durham
LT - Graham Barton or Tristan Wirfs (originally thought to be out for weeks)
LG - Michael Jordan (started last week at Atlanta) or Elijah Klein
C - Ben Bredeson
RG - Cody Mauch
RT - Luke Goedeke
Other Key Offensive pieces
OT - CHARLIE HECK
RB - Rachaad White
TE - Ko Kieft
WR - Ryan Miller
WR - TEZ JOHNSON
Italics - Rookie
ALL CAPS - New to team in 2025
Keys to winning v. the Buccaneers Offense
Baker's Dozen - I know that I should ONLY be a HUGE fan of my guy C.J. Stroud (and I am), but I've always had great respect and admiration for Bucs QB Baker Mayfield. I love the way he plays, his style, his confidence and his ability to make big plays happen at key times. Against Atlanta in the opener, he ran for key first downs on third down. He was clutch in the fourth quarter, dropping a DIME on rookie WR Emeka Egbuka for the game winning TD. He drilled throws to Mike Evans on crossers/slants/etc…at key times throughout the game. I get the impression that Tampa Bay feels as if it isn't out of any game, at ANY time, because Mayfield is under center. There are all kinds of issues for the Texans defense because Mayfield won't be in the same spot in the pocket each and every time he throws the ball, unlike Rams QB Matt Stafford who was in that same spot every time he dropped to throw. Keeping Mayfield in the well and forcing him to throw outside the hashes from that well could be the ticket to slowing him down throughout the game. I mean, this guy has thrown the MOST TD in the entire NFL since 2023; the Texans have to disrupt his rhythm immediately and often.
Big Mike - One BIG part of the reason why Mayfield leads the league in touchdowns is the presence of Galveston's own Mike Evans. The future Hall of Fame receiver is back for season 11 and is as important to his team's offense as at any point in his illustrious career. Although there still IS a deep element to his game, Evans has become the key go-to receiver on slants, digs and interior routes…the dirty work, if you will. Now, I've seen Mike up close a few times and I know he's still got the juice to run by an unsuspecting, or lazy, DB, so Derek Stingley Jr and Kamari Lassiter have to be disciplined in all situations. But, mostly, those two must prepare for all the interior body blows that Evans can put on the Texans defense in the middle of the field.
Eliminate the Run - The 2023 contest turned into a passing festival, in large part because of the Texans defense's ability to stop the Bucs on the ground. The Texans yielded just 81 yards on 31 carries (2.6 yards per carry). Against the Rams last week, the Texans defense gave up just 2.9 per carry on 25 carries. That put the game all on Matt Stafford, so to speak. Now, he answered the bell every single time because he's a future Hall of Fame QB, but the Rams did only put up 14 points, and not because of the run game. The Bucs running backs ran for just 3.1 yards per carry against Atlanta and this Texans front is MUCH MORE stout at the point of attack than Atlanta. I'd imagine the Bucs offensive brain trust will try to get touches for Bucky Irving and Rachaad White away from the fray to provide run game effectiveness in a different manner.