Baker Mayfield showcased his determination and resilience, playing through what appeared to be an injured left leg, as he guided the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a thrilling come-from-behind victory over the Houston Texans with a final score of 20-19 on Monday night. This victory marks the Buccaneers' second win of the season, allowing them to start 2-0 for the fifth consecutive year. Conversely, the Texans fell to 0-2, continuing their struggle early in the season.
The Buccaneers kicked off the game with impressive momentum, scoring touchdowns on their first two possessions. Mayfield connected with Ryan Miller for a 20-yard touchdown pass, followed by another touchdown pass to Emeka Egubka for 15 yards. However, the scoring went quiet for the Bucs until just six seconds remained in the game. With the clock winding down, Tampa Bay found themselves facing a critical third-and-10 situation with only 59 seconds left. Mayfield, demonstrating his athleticism, ran for 15 yards to keep the drive alive.
Mayfield completed 7-of-9 passes for 63 yards during the decisive, 80-yard drive that spanned 11 plays and took 2:04 off the clock. The drive culminated in a crucial 2-yard run by Rachaad White, securing the deciding points of the game. Overall, Mayfield had an impressive performance, completing 25-of-38 passes for 215 yards and two touchdowns, while also contributing 33 rushing yards on three carries. The Buccaneers’ ground game was equally effective, combining for a total of 169 rushing yards on 30 carries, yielding an average of 5.6 yards per carry.
Mike Evans made a notable return, recording five catches for 56 yards. On the other side of the field, the Texans’ special teams came close to securing the win, while the Buccaneers’ special teams nearly cost them the game. Tampa Bay missed a critical 38-yard field goal attempt, had a punt blocked, and allowed a 53-yard punt return that set up Houston's go-ahead touchdown late in the game.
In a pivotal moment, Jaylin Noel caught a Riley Dixon punt at the Houston 21 and returned it to the Tampa Bay 26 before Kaevon Merriweather made a crucial tackle to save a touchdown. Although officials picked up a flag for a block in the back, the Texans capitalized on the momentum. On the very next play, Nick Chubb, who had struggled earlier in the game, rushed for a 25-yard touchdown with just 2:10 remaining, giving Houston its first lead since their initial drive.
The Texans managed to block a punt from Riley Dixon with 6:16 left in the fourth quarter, allowing Justin Watson to return it just 1 yard to the Tampa Bay 35. However, despite their advantageous field position, the Texans failed to gain any yards on three plays and settled for a 53-yard field goal by Ka’imi Fairbairn, cutting the Bucs' lead to 14-13. This block was particularly notable, as it marked the first one allowed by the Buccaneers since 2018 against the Saints.
Throughout the game, the Buccaneers outgained the Texans with a total of 360 yards compared to Houston's 266 yards. C.J. Stroud, the Texans' quarterback, completed 13-of-24 passes for 207 yards and one touchdown while also rushing for 27 yards on four attempts. Nico Collins emerged as a reliable target, catching three passes for 52 yards and a touchdown.
This thrilling matchup highlighted the competitive nature of the NFL as the Buccaneers continue their quest for success this season. With a strong performance from Mayfield and the rest of the team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers remain a force to be reckoned with in the league.
