Buccaneers at Texans 

 Monday Night, NRG Stadium

Kickoff: 7:00 PM ET M NF doubleheader opener
Line / Total: Texans −2.5, O/U 42.5. 

This one will for surely be a trench fight. Two playoff teams from last year, two team that had questionable starts to the season. 

The Buccaneers are looking to follow a rough season opening win over the Atlanta Falcons. Facing the 0-1 Texans who loss last week despite holding the Ram to 14 points. 

Tampa Bay has started the last 5 season 2-0 

Week One

Texans  at Rams 

Houston’s defense looked sharp, again the rams were only able to put up 14 points. The issue in week one was offense, making fans wonder if lettign Diggs go was a smart move.  Houston only managed three field goals. C.J. Stroud finished 19/27 for 188 yards and an INT

 He was pressured often and their offensive line showed cracks that got exposed at key moments. The game ended with a Texans fumble inside the red zone 

Penalties

 11 for 80 yards and self-inflicted mistakes were the killers, not scheme or effort.

Bucs at Falcons

 Baker Mayfield engineered great late game drives and rookie Emeka Egbuka delivered with two TDs, including the walk off. Proving to the league he’s a real weapon. 

The Bucs won, but they still allowed to many easy rushing yards and had protection issues with Tristan Wirfs out. Ebuka was able to step up for Chris Godwin who is still unavailable. 

    Team breakdowns 

Houston Texans 

Strong defense 

 controlled physicality
Last week the Texans’ D kept LA off the board for long periods of the game, they won the field position battle and are daring opponents to beat them. 

DeMeco Ryans emphasizes discipline and that was the headline after Week one.  If they cut the penalty yardage and clean up the Oline, this team can grind out wins easily.

Offense

C.J. Stroud is still the accurate, mobile, and willing  QB we saw last year, he likes to take fewer risks when protection collapses. But the line struggled and Stroud was pressured on a large share of his drop backs last week and last season. The Oline must hold up or the Texans will be left behind in this one. 

Dalton Schultz and Nick Chubb will be leaned on for short chains and third down conversions which will be key in this game. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

Identity

 The Bucs roster mixes a veteran heavy locker room with an emerging set of  young weapons. Some say Baker’s not elite, but I'd say otherwise. He’s decisive. 

Emeka Egbuka looks like he's nearing his true ceiling already after a two TD debut. The defense showed an above average ability to apply pressure Week one 

Concerns

Protection and missing pieces

Tristan Wirfs and Chris Godwin are out or limited, forcing shuffle on the O line and receiver room.

 Mayfield’s Monday night resume is a story in and of itself as he is 1-7 all time and 0-9 in his last 9 primetime starts. 

X Factors

C.J. Stroud

 Week 1

 19/27, 188 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT 

mobile for 32 rush yards. When given time he looks smooth, when rolled into pressure he becomes conservative or forced. Tonight's game will be about how quickly the Bucs can get hands on him. 

Nick Chubb 

Houston’s run game needs to establish rhythm he led the charge in Week 1 and will again be asked to carry tempo and protect Stroud from long third downs. 

Baker Mayfield efficient but not flawless added crucial scrambles. He’s 1-7 on Monday Night historically  He must avoid turnovers and start with clean throws. 

Emeka Egbuka

rookie breakout 

4 catches, 67 yards, 2 TDs in his debut.

 He’s a matchup nightmare because he can run inside, outside, and win contested back shoulder looks. Houston must decide who follows him zone bracket or slide

Gameplans

DeMeco Ryans 

will push situational pressure and try to exploit Tampa’s OL shuffles. 

Expect disguised blitzes to bait Mayfield into holding the ball or taking pressure induced throws. 

The Texans will try to manage third and shorts with Chubb and screens to neutralize the Bucs pass rush. 

Todd Bowles 

 will want to turn the game into a quick tempo battle and get the ball out of Mayfield’s hands.

 use Egbuka and short area work to slip blocks, and force Houston to cover sideline to sideline. 

Bowles’ defense will aim to force long third downs and create turnover opportunities.

Bottom line 

this will be a grind with periodic flashes whoever wins the line of scrimmage and the turnover battle wins the game.

What must happen

Texans

Cut penalties 11 flags last week cost them field position and momentum. Zero tolerance policy tonight. 

Protect Stroud win one on one inside, slide to help the RT/LT, and keep third downs manageable.

Establish Chubb early chew clock, flip field position, and tire the Tampa Bay  front.

Buccaneers

Start fast  get early chunks to take pressure off Mayfield’s Monday night slump.

Keep Egbuka in space he’s already shown he can win create schemed touches.

Control the line of scrimmage  if Bucs can limit Houston’s pressure rate they win, if they can’t, Mayfield will be rushed into mistakes.

Injury Report