The Bucs had a back-and-forth game against the Texans but lost in excruciating fashion 39-37. Baker Mayfield hit Cade Otton for the go-ahead touchdown with 46 seconds to go, but rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud drove the Texans 75 yards down the field and found Tank Dell for the game-winning touchdown with six seconds remaining.

This was the kind of game that made you want to jump for joy at times and also tear your hair out and punch a wall at the same time. Let’s get into the list of the most impressive players and moments from the game.

Bucs RB Rachaad White

Bucs RB Rachaad White – Photo by: USA Today

Rachaad White had vastly improved over the last two games, particularly in the passing game. He picked it up in the running game for this one as he recorded 73 rushing yards, scoring two touchdowns.

He made another big impact as a receiver with 46 receiving yards on four catches. White’s performance as a runner is a welcome sign that the offense needs.

NT Vita Vea

It was good for the Bucs to have Vita Vea back at nose tackle as he continued to disrupt plays up front. He recorded four tackles in the game with one tackle for loss and also was able to draw a holding penalty on a third-and-short running play that forced the Texans back. Houston paid a lot of attention to Vea in the game and rightfully so.

Bucs K Chase McLaughlin – Photo by: USA Today

K Chase McLaughlin

The only player that seems to be almost doing everything right is Chase McLaughlin. He hit all three of his field goals, including a 55-yarder, as well as all four of his extra points.

His only missed field goals this season have been blocks. It’s good for the offense knowing that once they get over midfield, it doesn’t take much longer to get into McLaughlin’s range.

DT Calijah Kancey

The rookie first-round pick recorded the second sack of his career. Calijah Kancey was a menace all game long recording four tackles, one sack, and a team-leading three tackles for loss.

There were concerns over how well he could do in the run game because of his size, but those tackles for loss tell the story.

TE Cade Otton

Cade Otton by far had his best game as a receiver scoring two touchdowns on six catches for 70 yards on the afternoon. Otton should have scored the game-winning touchdown that gave the Bucs a 37-33 lead with 46 seconds to go, but the defense didn’t hold up their end of the bargain. Hopefully, Otton can continue to be a threat in the red zone.

QB Baker Mayfield

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: USA Today

It would’ve been a heck of a moment and a highlight reel for Baker Mayfield had his touchdown pass to Cade Otton held up as the game-winning play. Mayfield put the Bucs in a position to win today helping the team score a season-best 37 points.

Mayfield was much more accurate with the ball this week. He also had a big moment connecting with Mike Evans for 53 yards to put the Bucs at the 1-yard line while trailing 30-23 in the fourth quarter, scoring to tie it up two plays later.

Mayfield had an efficient 21 passes completed on 30 attempts going for 265 yards and two touchdowns.

Bucs’ O-Line Pass Protection

Baker Mayfield had plenty of time to throw today. He was only sacked twice and was hit just three times. The offense can be successful when Mayfield has all day to get rid of the ball.

Bucs Run Stopping Defense

For all the struggles that Tampa Bay’s defense had, they were able to shut down the run extensively. They held Houston to just 53 yards on the ground and 3.1 yards per attempt. Unfortunately, that put the ball in Stroud’s hand much, much more and he went off for one the greatest games ever played by a rookie quarterback.