Key 1. Score First, Score Often
Not only did the Buccaneers not score early or often, they barely scored at all.

The first drive started promising enough with Tampa Bay moving to the Houston 39 before a sack on third down forced the Buccaneers to punt. For the remainder of the first half, and the second half for that matter, it was as if the Buccaneers offense had never seen a 3-4 defense.

An inability to pick up blitzing linebackers, a confused Josh Freeman and an uninspired performance by the defense sent Tampa Bay to their sixth loss and possibly into a tailspin they may not recover from.
Final Grade: F

Key 2. Take Time To Tackle
After the debacle in New Orleans and the defenses’ lack of fundamental tackling, it was hard to imagine it getting worse.

But worse it was Sunday. On the first play of the game Jacoby Jones raced by a blown coverage, caught a Matt Schaub pass and eluded the secondary that had managed to get back in position to make a stop. Both Tanard Jackson and Sean Jones failed to bring Jones down and just like that the Texans had an 80-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage to go ahead 7-0.

The poor tackling continued throughout the game and burned the Bucs several times, especially on Arian Foster’s 78-yard catch and run on a short pass from Schaub in the second quarter.

Whatever will the Buccaneers had seemed to be sucked right of them as frustration and despair set in and Tampa Bay was never close to mounting a comeback.
Final Grade: F

Key 3. Create Turnovers
With the Texans running the ball 44 times, the Buccaneers had ample opportunities to create potential fumbles. But rarely, if at all, did any Buccaneers defensive player blow up a Texans ball carrier.

The lack of any semblance of physical football was apparent from the opening snap and continued throughout the game and the Buccaneers seemed ill-prepared for what the Texans did all day long.

Even the officials were no friends to Tampa Bay’s quest for turnovers, as an apparent Aqib Talib interception was overturned by a replay challenge.
Final Grade: F

Key 4. Bust Out With Blount
Getting your No. 1 tailback only 10 rushing opportunities will never equal winning football. Falling behind on the first play of the game then trailing by 13 at the half totally threw the game plan further off pace. Once again, the Buccaneers' inability to get a lead forced the team into passing situations from the start of the second quarter on.

Blount looked fairly sharp early by averaging 5.7 yards per carry after the first quarter. But with the defense's sloppy effort, Tampa Bay was forced into playing from behind and virtually abandoned the run.

Blount finished the game with 34 yards on just 10 carries.
Final grade: F

Key 5. Sack the Schaub
Even with millions of dollars locked up to high draft picks and even new defensive line coaches, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 31st in the league in quarterback takedowns and won't move up any after recording just one sack of Texans’ quarterback Matt Schaub. Granted the Texans’ signal caller only attempted 15 passes but in most cases Schaub had all day to scan down field to find open receivers.

Defensive Brian Price was the only Buccaneers defensive lineman to chase down and sack Schaub on a quick inside move, splitting the guard and center

Any time the opposing quarterback finishes a game with a 154.9 quarterback rating it was obvious he had very little pressure to handle.
Final Grade: F

Final Analysis
Uninspired, sloppy and just out-talented, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hit the lowest spot in Raheem Morris’ tenure as head coach. Visibly shaken and frustrated in his after-game press conference, the head ball coach told the media to lay the blame all on him. If Tampa Bay can't get things turned around in a positive direction soon the blame will fall on Morris and his staff and the aftermath may be horrific.

Tampa Bay played with what appeared very little emotion and continues to make the same mistakes over and over. At some point the blame must be shifted to the coaching staff.

Score Predictions
Cook’s Prediction: Buccaneers 24, Texan 12
Reynold’s Prediction: Texans 23, Buccaneers 17
Horchy’s Prediction: Texans 26, Buccaneers 20