One of the signs of the apocalypse is having to consider the Houston Texans as a real opponent. But they have proven to be a good, tough team. They’re kinda like the Falcons in some respects, except instead of being a run first team, they are very much pass centered. CJ Stroud has looked pretty impressive for a rookie on a roster that did not look impressive.
The key to this game is to stop the Texans on 3rd down, especially 3rd and long. Bowles needs to deploy more man coverage instead of having Carlton Davis play ten yards off of Nico Collins. I literally posted an article in which Ja’Marr Chase said Davis is the best CB he played against. You know what Davis was mostly playing in that game? Man. If you have other players that can’t hold up in man, maybe they shouldn’t be playing (looking at you Ryan Neal).
I feel like I can copy and paste this part over and over again, but Dave Canales has to know when to stop running the ball. He has called good plays, but his game management needs some work. You can also say the same about Bowles. Running the ball down two scores in the 4th does not make for a good game.
Baker Mayfield also has to take what the defense gives him and cannot be afraid to let it rip. He has missed some easy reads in the past few weeks as he looked very skittish. Pass protection has been solid and receivers has not been open. It isn’t always his fault, but he deserves quite a bit of blame for passing woes.
If the defense can convert pressure to sacks and the offense doesn’t look like dog shit, the Buccaneers can beat this team. The Texans looked impressive early in the season but have fallen off in recent times. They lost to the Panthers for God’s sake. If the Bucs can’t beat them, I think their playoff hopes go down the toilet.
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