Houston, Texas:
It was a sold-out stadium airing on the historic Monday Night Football program against two divisional champions, yet despite the loss the Houston Texans showed the nation its heart. The team is 2-0 for the 2025 season losing against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20-19.
The Texans rallied after failing to get into the endzone last week went down on the first series of downs and scored. It was a beautiful display of talent as C. J. Stroud threw a perfect toss to wide receiver Nico Collins who kept his feet in bounds with precise precision for the first score of the game. The stadium was electrifying with the first touchdown of the season. C.J. Stroud played hard, but the play calling was questionable, including a fourth down pass inside the red zone that was incomplete. Texans running back Nick Chubb should have had his number called to push it through. He had only twelve (12) carries for forty-three (43). He is a talented back that needs more touches. Nico Collins went to work in this game and had three (3) completions for fifty-two (52) yards along with a touchdown.
The special teams shined for the Texans. The team did not have Damien Pierce due to an injury, yet it was Jaylin Noel who performed wonderfully with three (3) outstanding returns averaging twenty-two (22) yards. He had found a place on this roster. Place kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn went two for two (2/2) with another fifty-three-yard field goal, and the new punter Tommy Townsend with four (4) outstanding kicks and average fifty (50) yards a kick. Also, the special team blocked their first punt in the fourth quarter to put the Texans in scoring position. The defense played tough; however, it was apparent that players got tired in the second half and allowed the Tampa Bay running attack to slice and dice through the line stacking up over one hundred and sixty-nine (169) yards between backs Irving, White and Mayfield. Azeez Al-Shaair led the team with eight (8) solo tackles and two (2) assists and linebacker Henry To’oTo’o had seven (7) solo tackle and four (4) assists. Baker Mayfield was a standout with twenty-five (25) completions on thirty-eight (38) attempts for two hundred and fifteen (215). He stays poised despite the four (4) sack by the Texans linebacker that included two (2) from linebacker Danielle Hunter. With just minutes left on the clock and trailing 19-14, he engineered the longest drive of his career that started on their own two (2) yard line. Ball High’s Mike Evans made an important contribution with a catch inside the twenty (20) yard line putting them closer to pay dirt. A few plays later Tampa Bays’ running back White punched it in with only six (6) seconds left on the clock for their victory.
Coach Ryan shared his common sense with the team, “In order to win, we need to play better.”
It was an exciting game, but the statistics tell another story. The Bucs had the ball almost an entire quarter longer than the Texans, more than ninety (90) more offensive yards and twice as many first downs. Yes, Coach, your team needs to get better fast!
In other AFC South Divisional action, the Indianapolis Colts are undefeated beating the Denver Broncos 29-28, the Tennessee Titans struggled against the LA Rams dropping another one 33-19, and the Jacksonville Jaguars were defeated by the Cincinnati Bengals 31-27.
The Houston Texans travel to Florida to take on their divisional rivals, the Jacksonville Jaguars, so read all about your hometown team in your hometown paper.