Tampa Bay running back Rachaad White scored from 2 yards out with 6 seconds remaining as the Buccaneers beat the Houston Texans 20-19 in the opener of an NFL doubleheader on Monday night.
The Bucs moved 80 yards in 11 plays over 2:04 for the game-winning touchdown. The drive included a 15-yard scramble by quarterback Baker Mayfield on fourth-and-10 at the Tampa Bay 32-yard line.
Houston produced a touchdown and field goal on its first two and its last two possessions. In between, the Texans were stopped on downs at the Buccaneers 1-yard line in the fourth quarter.
Tampa Bay scored touchdowns on its first two possessions and didn’t get any more points until its final series. The Bucs held Houston to a field goal after having a punt blocked in the fourth quarter.
In Monday’s nightcap, the Los Angeles Chargers defeated the Las Vegas Raiders 20-9.
While Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert threw for 242 yards and two touchdowns, including a 60-yarder, Raiders QB Geno Smith was intercepted three times, including the first snap of the game.
In the fourth quarter, Los Angeles stopped Las Vegas on downs twice and intercepted a pass in the end zone.
During the Monday night games, 17 players from Alabama high schools and colleges got on the field:
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins catches a touchdown pass during an NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025, at NRG Stadium in Houston.
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins catches a touchdown pass during an NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025, at NRG Stadium in Houston.(AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20, Houston Texans 19
Will Anderson Jr. (Alabama) started at defensive end for the Texans. Anderson made four tackles and recorded one sack. Anderson’s sack came on a third-and-8 snap with 3:18 remaining. Jaylin Noel returned the Tampa Bay punt 53 yards to the Buccaneers 26-yard line, and when the Texans scored a touchdown two snaps later, they had a 19-14 lead with 2:10 to play.
Texans center Jake Andrews (Stanhope Elmore, Troy) was designated as a game-day inactive. An ankle injury kept Andrews out of the lineup.
Buccaneers outside linebacker Chris Braswell (Alabama) did not record any stats.
Nico Collins (Clay-Chalkville) started at wide receiver for the Texans. Collins had three receptions with 52 yards and one touchdown. Collins caught a 29-yard pass from quarterback C.J. Stroud for the first points of the game with 11:53 left in the first quarter. Stroud threw to Collins nine times in the game.
Jamel Dean (Auburn) started at cornerback for the Buccaneers. Dean made three tackles. Dean tackled Houston wide receiver Nico Collins at the 1-yard line on a first-and-goal completion with 12:08 to play, and when a run for no gain and two incompletions followed, Tampa Bay kept its 14-10 lead.
Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (Alabama A&M) is on reserve/physically unable to perform and not eligible to play.
Texans linebacker Christian Harris (Alabama) made one tackle.
Tytus Howard (Monroe County, Alabama State) started at right offensive tackle for the Texans.
Buccaneers wide receiver Tez Johnson (Pinson Valley, Troy) was designated as a game-day inactive.
Buccaneers defensive tackle Jayson Jones (Calera, Auburn) is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.
Kamari Lassiter (American Christian) started at cornerback for the Texans. Lassiter made five tackles.
Texans offensive tackle Cam Robinson (Alabama) did not record any stats. Robinson’s 103rd NFL regular-season game was the first in which he was not in the starting lineup.
Texans tight end Irv Smith Jr. (Alabama) is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.
Texans cornerback Tremon Smith (Saks) returned a kickoff 29 yards.
Henry To’oTo’o (Alabama) started at linebacker for the Texans. To’oTo’o led Houston with 11 tackles and recorded one tackle for loss.
Texans safety Jimmie Ward (Davidson) is on reserve/commissioner exempt and not eligible to play.
Tampa Bay (2-0) plays the New York Jets at noon CDT Sunday at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
Houston (0-2) plays the Jacksonville Jaguars at noon Sunday at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida.
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Los Angeles Chargers running back Najee Harris carries the football during an NFL game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Los Angeles Chargers running back Najee Harris carries the football during an NFL game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.(AP Photo/David Becker)
Los Angeles Chargers 20, Las Vegas Raiders 9
Bradley Bozeman (Handley, Alabama) started at center for the Chargers.
Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson (Auburn) made all three of his kicks – field goals of 54, 40 and 37 yards.
Chargers defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe (Alabama) made two tackles.
Da’Shawn Hand (Alabama) started at defensive tackle for the Chargers. Hand made one tackle.
Chargers long snapper Josh Harris (Auburn) is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.
Chargers running back Najee Harris (Alabama) ran for 28 yards on eight carries and caught two passes for 20 yards.
Raiders wide receiver Shedrick Jackson (Hoover, Auburn) is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.
Chargers wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith (Auburn) did not record any stats.
Chargers cornerback Jordan Oladokun (Samford) is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.
Raiders defensive tackle JJ Pegues (Auburn) was designated as a game-day inactive.
Chargers punter JK Scott (Alabama) averaged 52.7 yards on three punts, with a 47.7-yard average. Scott had a 49-yard punt for a fair catch at the Las Vegas 16-yard line, a 53-yarder for a fair catch at the Las Vegas 11 and a 56-yarder returned 15 yards to the Las Vegas 33. Scott also held for two field goals and two extra points, including getting down a poor snap for the second field.
Chargers running back Kimani Vidal (Troy) is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.
Los Angeles (2-0) plays the Denver Broncos at 3:05 p.m. Sunday at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Las Vegas (1-1) plays the Washington Commanders at noon Sunday at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland.
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