'MNF' takeaways: Baker Mayfield leads last-second comeback in thriller

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers improved to 2-0 on the young 2025 season with a come-from-behind 20-19 win over the winless Houston Texans (0-2).

Here are our instant takeaways from a "Monday Night Football" thriller.

Knee-jerk reaction: Houston Texans' offensive line is too big a liability for team to win AFC South title

Who could have predicted that building an offensive line around a bunch of cast-offs would be a mistake? Houston's biggest weakness in 2024 got even worse this offseason, and the unit contributed heavily to Monday's loss.

Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud was sacked three times and forced out of the pocket on multiple other instances. The run game was non-existent for most of the game, failing to generate a push on a goal-line situation, which resulted in a stuffed Nick Chubb carry. Outside of his 25-yard touchdown run that briefly gave Houston a 19-14 fourth-quarter lead, Chubb gained 18 yards on 11 rush attempts (1.6 yards per attempt).

Monday was rough for the Texans' offensive line, and considering the state of the unit, it's likely a sign of what's to come.

Game MVP: Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield

Mayfield didn't post gaudy numbers, ending the game 25-of-38 for 215 yards and two touchdowns. But he came through down the stretch, steadying the Bucs on their go-ahead touchdown drive with six seconds remaining. Mayfield was 7-of-9 for 63 yards on Tampa's final possession. He also had a 15-yard scramble on a 4th-and-10. The Bucs entered Monday without their starting left tackle, Tristan Wirfs, and lost right tackle Luke Goedeke in the first quarter. Mayfield's quick passing — he averaged 2.23 seconds to throw without Goedeke, compared to 3.31s with (h/t NFL Next Gen Stats) — and ability to evade pressure was huge down the stretch, and it lifted Tampa to a 2-0 start.  

Quote of the game: "The good thing for Baker and Tampa Bay is they've got a Plan B. And that is Bucky Irving."

At halftime, ESPN "Monday Night Football" commentators Joe Buck and Troy Aikman discussed the challenges the Bucs were facing up front, and Aikman highlighted Irving as a significant safety valve.

The 2024 fourth-rounder led the Bucs backfield with 17 carries for 71 yards (4.2 yards per carry) and added 50 yards, including a 22-yarder on Tampa's winning touchdown drive, on six receptions. Irving was dynamic as a rookie, gaining 1,514 yards from scrimmage and averaging 5.4 yards per carry. He might be an even bigger focal point this season. As he demonstrated against the Texans, good things usually happen when the ball's in his hands.