Buccaneers Will Face Shorthanded Texans After Injuries to Key Players
The Buccaneers won't have to worry about Cade Stover or Jake Andrews when they face the Texans in Week 2.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers escaped their Week 1 clash with the Atlanta Falcons by the skin of their teeth, as Younghoe Koo missed a potential game-tying field goal that ensured the Bucs would hold on to win 23-20. It wasn’t a perfect game, but there’s no doubt that being 1-0 is better than being 0-1.
Things won’t exactly get any easier for Tampa Bay, as they will take on a tough Houston Texans team that is fresh off a disappointing loss of their own in Week 1. However, it seems like the Texans won’t be at full strength for this game, which could make the Buccaneers’ quest to pick up their second victory of the year a little bit more manageable.
Cade Stover, Jake Andrews Won’t Play for Texans vs. Buccaneers
Houston opened its 2025 campaign against the Los Angeles Rams, and they struggled to get much going on the offensive side of the ball. The Texans failed to find the end zone at all, settling for three field goals as their only source of points., It’s tough to win when you can’t score touchdowns, and sure enough, they ended up suffering an ugly 14-9 defeat.
You can bet the Texans are going to be extra motivated to get their first win of the season in Week 2. Doing so against the Buccaneers is going to be a tall task, as they have a plethora of talent on both sides of the ball. And with a pair of crushing injury updates, Houston’s task has quickly become a lot more difficult.
In their loss to the Rams, the Texans lost tight end Cade Stover and Jake Andrews along the way due to a pair of injuries. Stover is dealing with a foot injury, and Andrews picked up a knee injury. According to head coach DeMeco Ryans, both guys are going to miss time with their respective ailments, as they won’t take the field against the Bucs.
“Stover hurt his foot, so he’ll miss some time,” Ryans said on Tuesday. “I really hate that. He’s playing tough, physical, exactly how he wants it done. So, he’ll miss some time. We’ll have to upgrade our tight end room from that perspective. [Jake] Andrews rolled his ankle, so he’ll be day-to-day. We’ll see how that goes.”
Buccaneers Looking to Pounce on Shorthanded Texans
With Stover out, that means Dalton Schultz is going to have to step up at tight end for the Texans. And while Andrews isn’t expected to miss as much time as Stover, he’s not expected to be ready to play on Sunday, which would thrust Jarrett Patterson into action. While you never want to see players get injured in sports, it’s also worth noting that this figures to benefit the Buccaneers in Week 2.
It’s not as if Tampa Bay is at full health either, though, as they are missing a pair of key offensive players in wide receiver Chris Godwin and left tackle Tristan Wirfs. They managed to win without them in Week 1, and they will be looking to do the same in Week 2. The Bucs and Texans will square off on Sunday Night Football when they meet up for their second game of the new season.
Stroud’s Statement Game - Texans Aim to Torch Tampa
Week 2 will feature the first Monday Night Football doubleheader. In the opening contest, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will travel to Texas to take on the Houston Texans. Each team got off to a different start in Week 1. The Buccaneers travelled to division rival Atlanta and defeated the Falcons 23-20. Tampa Bay exorcised the demons from its 2024 NFC South title run when they lost to the Falcons twice.
Meanwhile, the Texans travelled west to take on the Los Angeles Rams. Many expected a strong offensive showing from both teams, considering the talent that each unit had. Instead, it was a defensive struggle. While Houston's defense held up its end of the bargain, quarterback C.J Stroud and the offense struggled in a 14-9 loss.
Now, the Texans will need to focus on stopping a division-winning football team. The Bucs are going for their fifth straight NFC South crown. If Houston can't bring their A-game on Monday Night Football, there's a strong chance that Tampa Bay will come to NRG Stadium and tame the home crowd. Houston's defense will need to pitch another excellent outing for the Texans to claim their first victory in 2025. Can Houston come together in all three phases and defend their home turf against the visiting Buccaneers?
Texans' pass rush led by Danielle Hunter torments Buccaneers' O-Line
After eight seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, Hunter joined the Texans last offseason. In his first season with Houston, Hunter once again notched double-digit sacks with 12. It was his sixth season of double-digit takedowns. The veteran also played in all 17 games for the third straight season. On Monday night against a potentially reshuffled Buccaneers' offensive line, Hunter will sack Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield three times, including twice in an explosive first half.
Hunter and fellow edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. will cause mayhem for the Buccaneers' bookends. If Graham Barton once again plays left tackle on Sunday in place of injured All-Pro Tristan Wirfs, Hunter will be licking his chops. Look for the veteran to have a vintage game, while Anderson Jr. pitches in two sacks and a couple of pressures of his own. Will it be enough to limit the Bucs' offense under the bright lights of Monday night?
Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield leads second-half comeback
After Hunter, Anderson Jr., and the Texans' pass rush feast on the Buccaneers' offensive line in the first half, the Texans will head into the locker room leading 14-6. Mayfield is sacked five times. Three of those takedowns lead to an offensive drive ending. Kicker Chase McLaughlin makes two field goals, one from a short distance and another from 45 yards, to keep the Bucs within a single score.
At halftime, offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard adjusts the game plan, allowing the veteran signal caller more freedom at the line. Mayfield and the offense start the second half off hot, marching down the field in eight plays to tie the game with a touchdown and two-point conversion. The third quarter ends after the Texans and Buccaneers exchange touchdown drives, heading into the final frame at 21 points apiece. Will the Buccaneers escape Houston with a win, or can the Texans clinch their first victory of 2025?
Buccaneers rookie Emeka Egbuka snags game-winner for 2nd straight week
A 21-21 tie will give way to the Texans taking a 24-21 lead midway through the fourth quarter. Once again, the Texans' pass rush will cause some issues, but a renewed focus on the quick passing game and delayed handoffs to running back Bucky Irving consistently stings Houston's defense. The Buccaneers almost convert a fourth down that would allow them to at least tie the game, but fall short.
Yet, Tampa Bay's defense holds firm. They limit Stroud and the passing game, as safety Antoine Winfield Jr. follows up an excellent opener versus the Falcons with an even better outing in Space City. With a little over a minute left in the game, Mayfield and Irving team up with rookie Emeka Egbuka to methodically take down the Texans' defense. On third and goal from the four-yard line, Mayfield throws a dart to a diving Egbuka for the game-winning touchdown. Once again, the growing connection between the veteran quarterback and rookie target pays off nicely. A 2-0 start will go a long way towards helping the Buccaneers retain their NFC South title once again.
