Buccaneers Stun Texans with Late Mayfield Drive, 37-39
HOUSTON – baker Mayfield engineered a last-minute, 75-yard drive culminating in a 1-yard touchdown pass to Cade Otton with 6 seconds remaining, lifting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a stunning 37-39 victory over the Houston Texans Sunday at NRG Stadium. The loss drops the Texans to 1-1 on the season.
The dramatic finish overshadowed a solid performance from the Texans’ defense,which limited the Buccaneers to 360 total yards and sacked Mayfield four times. However, the Houston offense struggled to consistently move the ball, finishing with 266 yards, a slight advancement over their 263 yards in Week 1.Despite scoring two touchdowns – aided by a meaningful kick return from Devin Noel – the Texans couldn’t capitalize on opportunities, particularly a failed fourth-down attempt from the Buccaneers’ 1-yard line in the fourth quarter.
Mayfield finished the game completing 21 of 31 passes for 173 yards and three touchdowns. The Buccaneers’ rushing attack proved pivotal, totaling 169 yards on 5.6 yards per carry, a contrast to the Texans’ success limiting Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams to 66 yards in Week 1.
Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud completed 13 of 24 passes for 207 yards, but appeared indecisive at times and delivered some uncharacteristically inaccurate throws. He was sacked three times, mirroring the pressure he faced in Week 1, where he was pressured on 42% of his dropbacks.
A concerning trend for Houston was the vulnerability of their pass protection, forcing Stroud to scramble frequently. The Texans’ run defense also faltered,allowing the Buccaneers to establish a consistent ground game.
The Texans will travel to Jacksonville next Sunday to face the Jaguars (1 p.m. ET).Jacksonville currently leads the NFL in rushing yards per game with 169.
