| Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0) at Houston Texans (0-1) | |||
| Game Details: Monday, September 15, 7 p.m EST | |||
| Location: Houston, TX | |||
| Where to Watch: ESPN |
The first leg of Monday Night Football is the Tampa Bay Bucs vs. the Houston Texans. The Texans are looking to shake off a Week 1 loss to the LA Rams and even their record at home. Despite being the home favorites, this won’t be an easy ride. The Buccaneers are 1-0 after a divisional win against the Atlanta Falcons.
The Texans’ offense managed just nine points in their opener, a surprising outcome for a team with so much talent. On the other side, the Bucs are trying to secure a 2-0 start for the fifth consecutive year, a feat that speaks volumes about their consistency.
Betting Odds
| Team | Spread | Total | Money Line |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa Bay | +2.5 (-108) | Over 42.5 | +118 |
| Houston Texans | -2.5 (-112) | Under 42.5 | –138 |
** Odds Subject to Change – Courtesy of FanDuel**
Tale of The Tape
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Team Stats | Houston Texans |
|---|---|---|
| 23 | Points Per Game | 9 |
| 159 | Passing Yards Per Game | 151 |
| 101 | Rushing Yards Per Game | 114 |
| 20 | Opponents Points Per Game Allowed | 14 |
| 289 | Opponents Pass Yards Allowed | 224 |
| 69 | Opponents Rush Yards Allowed | 72 |
Key Details
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quarterback Baker Mayfield was sensational against the Falcons, throwing for three touchdowns and reminding everyone of his capabilities. The offense is looking to continue its high-scoring ways, especially with rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka making an immediate impact with two touchdowns in his debut.
Historically, Tampa Bay has struggled in Houston, and primetime games haven’t been kind to them recently, either, losing all six of their night games over the past two seasons. Head Coach Todd Bowles is more concerned with the on-field matchup than the kickoff time, emphasizing that his team is prepared.
With Mayfield leading an offense that has been one of the league’s best and a defense that showed its grit by holding the Falcons in check, the Bucs have every reason to believe they can finally end their Houston losing streak and prove they are a team to be reckoned with.
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are eager to bounce back in front of their home crowd. After a disappointing offensive showing where they only managed three field goals, the pressure is on. Quarterback C.J. Stroud, the 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year, has a history of torching the Buccaneers’ defense, having thrown for 470 yards and five touchdowns in their last meeting. For the Texans to succeed, they need to get their playmakers more involved, especially star receiver Nico Collins, who was limited to just three catches for 25 yards in Week 1.
Head coach DeMeco Ryans has quickly transformed the Texans into a competitive force, and their defense is one of the most feared in the league. With edge rushers like Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, they have the firepower to disrupt any offense. The key for Houston will be providing Stroud with better protection than he had against the Rams, where he was pressured on 41% of his passes.
Prediction
There probably are statistics to back this up or debunk this, but it seems Mayfield always plays a notch above everyone else in big, prime-time games. It would take too much time to figure it out, and it’s been a long day, so we will just go with it and pick Tampa. Plus, past history does not guarantee future results anyway.
