The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are set to face off against a scrappy Houston Texans team on Sunday, and the matchup should serve to be a good one.
Both teams are looking to get back in the win column after a loss, and both have some young talent with lots to prove. The Bucs are still trying to keep pace with the Atlanta Falcons, while the Texans are in second place in the AFC South to the Jacksonville Jaguars and need to pick up some wins to stay competitive within the division.
We sat down with Texans Wire editor Mark Lane to talk about quarterback C.J. Stroud, Houston’s paradoxical pass rush, unsung heroes and more:
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Lane: There are two great contrasts in the AFC South right now in the style of young quarterbacks. Will Levis will heave it without hesitation. It isn’t so much that Stroud is hesitant to heave it, but sometimes his ball security can be a detriment to finding the big play downfield. Much like how Levis will learn with turnovers, if he wants to grow as a quarterback, Stroud will similarly learn by the plays he gave up. What has been evident since May is Stroud is committed to being the best quarterback.
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Lane: Opponents have been able to get the ball out quicker. What was it the San Francisco 49ers had with DeMeco Ryans that is missing here? Great linebackers. While the pass rush may be doing its job and earning the advanced metric, the completeness of the play shows an outlet that the Texans’ linebacking corps has yet to close off.
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Lane: The Texans are a fast, physical defense in the mold of the 49ers, but it is kind of like those Tom & Jerry cartoons where you’d have the mean dog and then the junior mean dog. The Texans are puppies learning their way and will be a dangerous group by the end of the season if attrition doesn’t play a huge factor.
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Lane: The defense let the Panthers off the mat with penalties. Carolina was backed up at its own 9-yard line. The Texans committed two straight penalties to give the Panthers a first-and-10 at their own 21. Granted the Panthers were in their own friendly confines, but starting from the shadow of your own goalpost to essentially touchback distance with all three timeouts is a different world. And I know records are one thing, but I think the Las Vegas Raiders have got to be the worst team in football right now.
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Lane: George Fant. The Texans signed him to be a swing tackle in case anything happened, and he has shown up consistently at right tackle. Because he has done well, the Texans have been able to move intended starter Tytus Howard to left guard where Houston has had some injury problems.
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Lane: The Texans have been better at home with a 2-1 record. However, the Bucs are 2-1 on the road. The time off from playing on Thursday night in Week 8 should help Tampa Bay remain focused against an otherwise inexperienced yet competitive Texans squad still building an identity.
Score Prediction: Buccaneers 23, Texans 17
