Week 16 preview: Bucs vs. Texans

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Houston Texans in Week 16 at Raymond James Stadium Saturday. Houston and Vernon Hargreaves will certainly be a tough opponent, as the Texans have only lost five games so far this season. Houston is coming off a win against the Titans. Dual-threat quarterback Deshaun Watson will look to keep the Texans marching towards a division title win.

Key to Winning: Creating Pressure on Watson

Watson is a very dangerous quarterback, both through the air and on the ground. He has passed for 3668 yards and 26 touchdowns so far this season. In addition to that, he contributed 376 yards and seven touchdowns with his legs.

Needless to say, it will be essential for the Bucs to disrupt Watson. The defense needs to continue where it left off last Sunday. Watson was picked off four times in his last two games, Tampa Bay needs to make sure that trend continues.

Buccaneers Must Establish Running Game

With the Buccaneers’ top two wide receivers sitting this game out due to injuries, it is now more important than ever this season to get going on the ground. The running game has been abysmal so far this year. Consequently, Byron Leftwich and Bruce Arians need to make sure this changes for the Bucs to have a chance against the Texans.

Houston ranks 19th against the run, which is nothing to write home about. The Buccaneers’ rushing attack, however, ranks 27th in the league, which is terrible.

Expect Jameis Winston to not pass for more than 250 yards this time, as he is running out of targets.

Keeping DeAndre Hopkins In Check

DeAndre Hopkins is the most dangerous receiver on the Texans’ roster. He is one of the best in the league at what he does and will be very difficult to contain by the Buccaneers’ secondary.

Carlton Davis will most likely line up against him. Hopkins has 99 catches for a total of 1142 yards and seven touchdowns this season. Look for Hopkins to have at least six catches for 100 yards and one touchdown.

Davis could definitely improve his impressive development by holding Hopkins under five catches for less than 80 yards and no score.

Bucs Fight, But Fall

Playing without both their top receivers is too much for Tampa Bay to handle. Once again, the running game is dysfunctional, which forces Winston to make it happen through the air. His options are not there this time. He does get two scores but also gets picked off twice.

Final score:
Buccaneers 17
Texans 24

 

 

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