3 Keys for the Houston Texans to Beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
In a Week 9 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Houston Texans. Coming off a tough loss to the then 0-6 Carolina Panthers on kicker Eddy Pineiro's game-winning 23-yard field-goal as the time ran out to give the Panthers a 15-13 game which was a defensive showdown for both teams.
Slowing down Evans and Godwin
Photo Credit: David Bering
As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers come into Houston, the Texans’ defense is going to have to slow down star wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin to have any part of trying to win the game. The Texans’ defense will look to minimize the damage that both of these great wide receivers bring to the table. As of the year, Mike Evans has five touchdowns and is averaging 15.4 yards a catch (YPC). Chris Godwin who is having a down year with just 38 receptions to go along with 398 yards and just one touchdown on the year has shown to be very dangerous when he is at full health and for the Buccaneers.
Get the run game going
Photo Credit: Eric Gay
For the young Houston Texans team to walk out of week 9 with a victory against the Buccaneers they will need to get the running game going. As the Texans offense is ranked 23rd in the league in rushing yards with just 643 yards on the ground the whole year, and just averaging just 3.3 yards a carry while going up against a Tampa Bay defense who ranks 10th in the league in rushing yards given up at 98.6 yards per game. With starting running back Dameon Pierce out for the game, backup running backs Devin Singletary and Mike Boone will get an opportunity to the start and showcase what they can do with Tampa’s defense.
CJ Stroud
Photo Credit: Bob Donnon
The young Houston quarterback is back at home for the fourth time this season and has gone 2-1 at home as the starter. The Texans will look for the future of the organization to step up against a really tough Buccaneers defense that has given up just 18.3 points per game on the season. It will be a real task for the first-year quarterback who is having a fantastic rookie campaign where he has only thrown just one interception in the whole year. Stroud will be a big piece if the Texans want to even their record up to 4-4 and stay in the playoff hunt. With running back Dameon Pierce and wide receiver Robert Woods out for the game it is going to see if CJ Stroud shows up when it matters the most.