Texans’ Offensive Struggles Continue in Heartbreaking Loss to Buccaneers
It wasn’t long ago—less than two years—that the Houston Texans hosted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in what became one of the most thrilling games of the 2023 NFL season. The Texans won in a dramatic 39-37 shootout, where C.J. Stroud put on a show, racking up 470 passing yards and five touchdowns, both of which set rookie single-game records.
On Monday night, Stroud, the Texans, and the Buccaneers seemed ready to pick up right where they left off, combining for 24 points in the first four drives of the game. Both offenses looked sharp, creating the kind of excitement fans had come to expect. It felt like another fireworks display was imminent at NRG Stadium, with broadcasters Joe Buck and Troy Aikman setting the stage for another high-scoring thriller.
However, after the Buccaneers took a 14-10 lead in the second quarter following a touchdown by rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, both defenses tightened up. For the next 35 minutes, the offensive fireworks that started the game turned into a much slower, grinding affair—one that could barely be described as “entertaining.” It felt like both teams were struggling to keep the momentum going.
But true to form, the Texans and Buccaneers could never play a normal game against each other. In the final five minutes, the action erupted again, as Tampa Bay held on for a 20-19 victory. Despite a bruised Baker Mayfield on the sideline, who stood victorious as if awaiting a cheering crowd, the game’s late chaos gave fans the spectacle they had been craving after a lackluster middle portion.
Special Teams Almost Steals the Game for Texans
While the Texans did manage to score nine points in a four-minute stretch during the fourth quarter, it wasn’t because their offense suddenly found its rhythm. Nick Chubb’s 25-yard touchdown run to give Houston a brief lead was a highlight for the veteran running back, who has faced a long history of season-ending injuries. However, the spark for the Texans’ short-lived comeback came from their special teams unit.
After being booed off the field for failing to score on three consecutive plays from the 1-yard line, the Texans made a game-changing play when they blocked a punt with just over six minutes left. Though they were forced to punt right back after a quick three-and-out, Ka’imi Fairbairn then nailed a 53-yard field goal to close the gap to just one point.
On the next Tampa Bay possession, the Texans’ rookie receiver Jaylin Noel made a key punt return deep into Buccaneers territory, putting Houston in field goal range with only minutes to go. Had Chubb not broken free for that 25-yard touchdown—one of only three explosive plays the Texans had all game—the Texans might have run down the clock and prevented Baker Mayfield from getting the ball back with over two minutes left. Had that been the case, Houston could very well have snuck away with a victory.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. And while the Texans were close to pulling off a miracle, they now find themselves 0-2, with a tough road ahead. Despite the weak competition in the AFC South, history shows that only about 12% of teams that start 0-2 make the playoffs. The 2023 Texans were one of those rare 0-2 teams in that small group, but until C.J. Stroud and Nico Collins regain their form from two years ago, Houston has real concerns about its offensive consistency.
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