Texans’ Week 2 Matchup Against Buccaneers is a Must-Win

The Houston Texans (0-1) enter a crucial matchup in Week 2 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0). The team will look to regroup after their Week 1 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. It is a pivotal game as the Texans look to avoid starting the season 0-2, which would significantly diminish their playoff chances.

While the Texans are no strangers to a slow start, having still made the playoffs in 2018 and 2023 after 0-2 starts, it would be best not to have to claw out the season two games in.

Offense Has to Wake Up

CJ Stroud was 19-27, throwing for 188 yards and one interception against the Rams. While he wasn’t terrible, his performance wasn’t enough to get the team more than nine total points. Nico Collins has to be implemented into the game plan more in Week 2; he only had three catches for 25 yards. The Pro Bowl receiver needs to be targeted more. If he is, it should present better opportunities for other receivers. The run game needs to get going quicker. Nick Chubb was alright, with 13 carries for 60 yards, but no other running back was remotely effective. The second leading rusher was Stroud with 32 yards, followed by Dare Ogunbowale with nine yards. While Ogunbowale is more of a pass catcher out of the backfield, the running game cannot sit and wait for Joe Mixon to return to get going. Chubb has to get rolling sooner in the game to make Houston’s offense less predictable.

Defensive Aggression Needs to Ramp up

The story of Week 1 was a defensive battle, but one that led to Puka Nacua torching the secondary for 130 yards. The Texans cannot allow Mike Evans or rookie Emeka Egbuka to burn them. Evans had five catches for 51 yards, and Egbuka had four for 67 yards and two touchdowns against the Atlanta Falcons last week. Wide receiver Chris Godwin and tackle Tristan Wirfs are out for Monday’s game, which should give the defense more chances to get to Baker Mayfield and cover Evans and Egbuka better. Don’t take the eyes off the run game, but it shouldn’t scare the Texans, as their leading rusher was quarterback Baker Mayfield, with five carries for 39 yards. Running back Bucky Irving having 14 carries for 37 yards.

Focus, Focus, Focus

The Texans have to have more focus this week and cut back on the penalties. They had too many drive killers and extenders in Week 1, with 11 penalties for 80 yards. Tampa Bay only had five penalties for 60 yards against the Falcons, in comparison. Eliminating pre-snap mistakes will help the Texans avoid long drives and downs.