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Nick Chubb’s Clutch TD Run Shows Why the Texans Made the Right Call (Despite That Brutal Ending)

Originally posted on Total Apex Sports | By Fahad Hamid | Last updated Sep 16, 2025 10:11 AM ET

Well, well, well. Just when you thought the Houston Texans couldn’t give their fans any more heart palpitations, Nick Chubb decided to remind everyone why he’s still got it with a perfectly timed 25-yard touchdown scamper. Sure, the Texans ended up losing 20-19 to Tampa Bay, but let’s talk about the silver lining in what was otherwise another classic Houston “snatch defeat from the jaws of victory” moment.

Chubb Delivers When It Matters Most

With 2:10 left on the clock and the Texans trailing 14-12, most fans were probably already planning their post-game rants on social media. That’s when Chubb decided to channel his inner superhero and break off a 25-yard rushing touchdown that had NRG Stadium rocking like it was 2012 again.

The veteran running back, who’s seen more ups and downs than a Six Flags roller coaster, showed exactly why the Texans brought him in. When the lights were brightest and the pressure was mounting, Chubb found that extra gear that separates good players from great ones. It wasn’t just the distance – though 25 yards is nothing to sneeze at – it was the timing that made this run absolutely crucial.

Why This Run Proves Chubb Still Has Elite Instincts

Let’s be honest here: when you’re watching a game-winning drive unfold, you want the ball in the hands of someone who’s been there before. Chubb has built his reputation on being that guy – the one who doesn’t flinch when everyone’s watching. This touchdown run was a masterclass in patience and vision, two qualities that can’t be taught in practice.

The way Chubb set up his blockers and found the seam in Tampa Bay‘s defense was pure poetry in motion. He didn’t try to do too much or force something that wasn’t there. Instead, he let the play develop, trusted his offensive line, and then exploded through the gap like a man possessed. It’s the kind of run that makes defensive coordinators wake up in cold sweats.

The Bitter Reality of a Sweet Moment

Of course, because this is the Texans we’re talking about, that beautiful moment of triumph lasted exactly 2 minutes and 10 seconds. That’s how long it took for Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers to march down the field and steal the victory right back. Rachaad White’s go-ahead touchdown with seconds remaining turned Chubb’s heroics into just another footnote in Houston’s book of “what could have been.”

But here’s the thing that’s driving Texans fans absolutely bonkers: they finally have a running back who can deliver in the clutch, and their defense still can’t close out a game to save their lives. It’s like watching someone build the perfect sandwich only to drop it face-down on the kitchen floor.

What Chubb’s Performance Means for Houston’s Future

Despite the loss, Chubb’s performance should have Texans fans feeling cautiously optimistic about their ground game moving forward. This wasn’t some garbage-time stat padding – this was a veteran player stepping up in a must-score situation and delivering exactly what his team needed.

The fact that Chubb could break off a 25-yard touchdown when everyone in the stadium knew the Texans needed to run the ball speaks volumes about his ability to rise to the occasion. It’s the kind of play that builds confidence not just in the running back, but in the entire offensive unit.

The Texans’ Ongoing Identity Crisis

What makes this whole situation even more frustrating for Houston fans is that they’re watching their team put together all the right pieces – just never at the same time. Chubb shows he can be the closer they need in the running game, but the defense can’t hold a lead. The offense moves the ball effectively, but special teams finds new and creative ways to disappoint.

It’s like watching a really expensive puzzle where all the pieces are there, but someone keeps shaking the table every time you get close to finishing it. The talent is obviously there, but the execution when it matters most continues to be Houston’s Achilles’ heel.

At the end of the day, Chubb’s go-ahead touchdown run was exactly what Texans fans ordered. Too bad the defense forgot to read the memo about actually winning the game afterward.

This article first appeared on Total Apex Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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