Hey, Buccaneer fans! It’s time for our game preview as the Bucs gear up for a crucial matchup against the Texans. Let’s break down what each team needs to do to secure victory.
BUCS WIN IF…
Bucs on Offense:
Last week, the Bucs found a way to win despite not playing their best football. That’s what good teams do! However, if they struggled against the Falcons, the Texans’ defense will present an even bigger challenge. They effectively neutralized a solid Rams offense in their opener, so the Bucs must come out strong.
To secure the win, the Bucs need to score early, and often. Wanting to operate long, drawn-out possessions won't be a winning solution. We can’t out-defense the Texans’ defense, but we can out-offense their offense. Playing from behind is a big task against the Texans. It will be important for the Bucs to start fast. O.C. Josh Grizzard will need to have a good plan for his first drive. Because once the Texans’ defense gets settled in, it can be tough to consistently move the ball on them. The Bucs should capitalize on first downs to keep the Texans’ defense guessing with play-action, jet sweeps, and quick screens. Staying ahead of the down is crucial… avoiding 3rd and long situations will be key against a disciplined Texans defense.
Opening it up early can put the Texans on their heels, and then allow the Bucs to settle in with the running game. I’d love to see Bucky Irving rack up 100 combined yards and Mike Evans at least 70 yards to unleash the rest of the offense.
Bucs on Defense:
Warning… here’s a take you’ve seen from me too often: let’s not overload the pass rush with 5 or 6 pass rushers for most of the game. Our front four should have a field day against a struggling Texans offensive line. Let’s see if they can pressure CJ Stroud without constantly blitzing and risking broken coverages.
Our run defense will hold up, but let’s mix in more man-to-man coverage on critical 3rd downs. Following the Packers’ example, from their game last night against the Commanders, we should play zone on early downs and switch to man in key 3rd down situations. Let Haason Reddick and Calijah Kancey close this game for us.
TEXANS WIN IF…
Texans on Offense:
CJ Stroud’s last outing against the Bucs was a game-changer for him, leading to a strong finish to his rookie season. On his way to a passer rating of 147.8, he torched the Bucs’ defense for 470 yards passing and 5 touchdowns. If he can replicate even half of that performance, the Texans will be in good shape.
They should let Stroud air it out early… running against our defense won’t be effective. He has plenty of weapons, but keep an eye on Nico Collins for a big game.
Texans on Defense:
The Texans don’t need to overthink it. They should play to their strengths and hope Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter can exploit a banged up Luke Goedeke and an out-of-position, Graham Barton. With Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter, they have a formidable duo to neutralize Mike Evans and Emeka Egbuka.
Their priority needs to be containing Bucky Irving and preventing Baker Mayfield from connecting on deep passes to Evans.
FINAL WORD:
The Bucs face a tough challenge in this primetime matchup. Last year, we struggled in night games, going 0-5. The Texans are coming off a loss and will be motivated for their home opener. While it's not a must-win for them, it’s a critical game.
Prediction: Bucs fall short, 20-30. Let’s hope for a quick turnaround next week!
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