Baker Mayfield leads late drive as Buccaneers stun Texans

HOUSTON — For the second straight week, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield engineered a game-winning landing drive with two minutes to go, delivering on his vow for “extra wins” in 2025 because the Bucs beat the Houston Texans 20-19 on Monday.

With 1:32 left within the sport, Mayfield was flushed from the pocket and couldn't join with rookie wideout Emeka Egbuka on third-and-10. On fourth down and the sport on the road, Mayfield scrambled to choose up the primary down.

Then, after 5 straight completions — together with operating again Bucky Irving taking two brief passes 22 and 18 yards, respectively — operating again Rachaad White ran 2 yards up the center for the profitable rating.

The Texans wanted their protection to provide you with a cease after taking a 19-14 lead with 2:10 left within the sport after Nick Chubb punched in a 25-yard run, however Mayfield received his first prime-time win within the common season with the Buccaneers. Earlier than Monday, Mayfield had gone 0-6 throughout the common season with the Bucs in prime time.

Listed here are an important issues to know from Monday night time for each groups:

QB efficiency: Already enjoying with out All-Professional left sort out Tristan Wirfs, the Bucs misplaced beginning proper sort out Luke Goedeke within the first quarter due to a foot harm. Regardless of that, and going through two of the perfect cross rushes within the league, Mayfield seemed sharp, usually taking the better completion — which he did not do final week. He accomplished 25 of 38 passes for 215 yards and touchdowns to Egbuka and Ryan Miller. Mayfield received a a lot larger increase from the bottom sport this week, too, as Irving rushed for 71 yards and White added 65.

Stunning development: For the second straight week, the Bucs' protection surrendered an explosive landing on the opening drive. Final week, it was a 50-yard landing from operating again Bijan Robinson with inside linebacker SirVocea Dennis in protection. This week, it was a 29-yard landing from large receiver Nico Collins with Zyon McCollum in protection — every time placing the Bucs in a 7-0 gap earlier than they performed a down of offense.

Pivotal level: First, Mayfield misplaced a fumble on a third-and-3 scramble that resulted in Rachaad White recovering it. Mayfield left the sport due to an harm (he would return), and the Bucs had been compelled to punt. Then, Texans fullback Jakob Johnson blocked Riley Dixon's punt, with former Bucs large receiver Justin Watson making the restoration to arrange a 53-yard area objective by the Texans. Then, after a 53-yard punt return from Texans large receiver Jaylin Noel, through which he took it to the Tampa Bay 26, the Texans grabbed the lead on Chubb's landing run with 2:10 left.

Troubling development: One week after lacking large proper on a 44-yard area objective try and never changing an additional level on the Atlanta Falcons, kicker Chase McLaughlin missed a 38-yard area objective try in Houston. McLaughlin went 30-of-32 (93.8%) on area objective makes an attempt final season — tied for seventh greatest within the league — however he has matched his whole variety of misses from final season. — Jenna Laine

Subsequent sport: vs. New York Jets (1 p.m. ET, Sunday)

The Texans' protection performed properly sufficient to win, holding the Buccaneers to 360 whole yards, however the offense did not rating sufficient. Nonetheless, when it mattered most, Houston's protection failed to shut out the sport.

It is onerous guilty the protection when Houston's offense struggled — totaling 266 yards, just one greater than Week 1. The offense scored two touchdowns, in order that's progress from Week 1 when the unit had solely three area targets. However the landing was aided by a brief area after Noel's big kick return. The Texans' particular groups made performs, the protection sacked Mayfield 4 occasions, however the offense could not get it going a lot of the night time.

QB efficiency: Regardless that the uncooked stats look fantastic, quarterback C.J. Stroud did not play as much as his requirements. Too many occasions, he seemed indecisive and had some uncharacteristically inaccurate throws — ending 13-of-24 passing for 207 yards. Even when the Texans drove to the 1-yard line early within the fourth quarter, he had two incompletions, together with on fourth down.

Pattern to look at: The Texans' run protection struggled, because the Buccaneers totaled 169 rush yards and 5.6 yards per carry. In Week 1, Houston restricted Los Angeles Rams Professional Bowl operating again Kyren Williams to 66 yards on 18 carries. It isn't alarming, however it's one thing to look at because the Texans head to Jacksonville to face the Jaguars, who lead the NFL in dashing yards per sport (169).

Troubling development: The Texans' cross safety wasn't as much as par. Stroud needed to scramble to outlive the strain too many occasions and was sacked thrice, similar to in Week 1 — when he was pressured on 42% of his dropbacks. If the Texans do not tackle these issues, it could possibly be one other season of Stroud being among the many most hit quarterbacks within the NFL. — D.J. Bien-Aime

Subsequent sport: at Jacksonville Jaguars (1 p.m. ET, Sunday)