The Tampa Bay Buccaneers edged out the Houston Texans 20-19 in a thrilling Monday Night Football showdown at NRG Stadium. Rachaad White sealed the win with a dramatic two-yard touchdown rush in the final seconds, capping off an impressive 360-yard offensive performance by the Bucs. Quarterback Baker Mayfield orchestrated the victory, completing 25 of 38 passes for 215 yards and two touchdowns
I may have been wrong about the score at the end, but I was not wrong about the ugliness. A truly awful experience to watch this game until the end. But the Bucs managed to get it done. It may have been ugly, but in context, they were missing both starting tackles, Calijah Kancey, and had a cartoon anvil drop on their heads. Yes the Texans are injured as well (almost as badly), but still, it shows toughness to come back again and win.
Slow Start
To start with the bad, the offense once again started slow. They did manage to find some rhythm in the running game. Bucky Irving had over 120 yards rushing and Rachaad White iced the game with a tough run for a TD. But the reason they had to lean on the backs is because our tackles were getting mauled all day. Today is the day we learned why Graham Barton plays center and Charlie Heck doesn’t play at all.
I know they were facing Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter, but Barton and Heck looked completely lost. Baker had no time to throw throughout a lot of the game and thus led to a big scoring drought in the middle of the game. Towards the end it looked a little better, but I think that was more to do with how quick the ball was coming out. I think Grizzard did ok with what he had, but it wasn’t an amazing game from a play calling perspective.
Not So Special TeamsÂ
If we did lose this game, it could be put squarely on the back of special teams. Chase McLaughlin missed another easy FG and the coverage on returns was garbage all night. Not only that, but apparently we weren’t even able to protect our punter as there were several moments the Texans got close to blocking it, until they actually did of course. Special teams does matter, and they nearly led to a Texans victory.
However, here’s a twist worthy of Shamalan. The defense carried the game until Baker discovered he did indeed have that dog in him. It looked bad at first with the defense giving up yet another quick TD to start, but they really shaped up. The pass rush wasn’t doing much, but once Todd started getting the pressures going, it really seemed to throw off Houston’s makeshift line.
They ended the night with three sacks on Stroud. Sirvocea Dennis once again had a bad game in coverage, but I thought the defense as a whole was good. Run defense once again being a huge highlight. They were the only reason the Buccaneers had a chance to end it. They managed to hold the Texans out of the endzone on four tries from inside the ten.
Baker Bakes
And Baker, what can you say about him? One of the toughest guys you will ever see play QB. It looked like his ankle was completely broken, but then CJ Gardener Johnson opened his mouth and Mayfield needed to teach that bitch a lesson. He will feel it tomorrow after all the hits he took. But he once again led the Buccaneers when they needed him most to a win. Outside an errand throw late in the game and another that should’ve been picked, it was another efficient game from him.
Considering the guys we have lost and continue to lose, this team should be scary when it’s at full strength. The depth at RB and WR is everything we thought it would be. I would like more dominant wins, but considering they have faced two defenses which appear to be tough, you can live with some ugliness. If the defense and offense can play well early, this will be a team that others won’t want to see come January.
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