The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are on a three-game skid, and they don’t have an easy opponent to get back on track Sunday.
The Houston Texans may be 3-4 like the Bucs and lost to the worst team in football last week, but the record is deceptive for how tough the team plays. Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud is a talented passer and the young team has a lot of playmakers, so head coach Todd Bowles and his squad will have to be on guard when the team faces off against the Texans in Houston for Week 9.
Here are three matchups Bucs fans can keep an eye on heading into the game:
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Todd Bowles has done well against rookie quarterbacks in the past, but C.J. Stroud doesn’t play like your average rookie quarterback.
Stroud has thrown for 1,800 yards, nine touchdowns and just one interception and boasts a 60.3% completion percentage. Tampa Bay is going to need to be wary when it comes to Stroud, who could easily carve through them if the team underestimates him.
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The Texans aren’t getting a lot of sacks this year, but make no mistake — the team is still able to bring the pressure.
Rookie outside linebacker Will Anderson Jr. is still a top 20 edge rusher in the league per PFF metrics and has the ability to be a disruptor even if the finishing power isn’t there. NFL veteran Jerry Hughes is still an experienced player who can cause problems and tackles Tristan Wirfs and Luke Goedeke will likely get their fair share of both on Sunday. Being able to contain the trio will go a long way in keeping quarterback Baker Mayfield’s pocket clean.
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The Bucs have been beating themselves lately just as much as other teams have.
The Bucs are in the top half of the league in penalties, and almost all of those have come after the bye. The team has been woefully undisciplined, and if it wants to win games and then the NFC South, it has to limit penalties to give itself a chance to win through its talent and scheme instead of pushing itself back or bringing Houston forward.
