An exciting game took place when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers visited the Houston Texans in Week 2 of the 2025 NFL season. The Buccaneers edged a 20-19 win in a close match. In this article we will look at the key player stats, team data and what it tells us about both teams.
Game overview
The Buccaneers beat the Texans 20-19 on September 15, 2025. The Buccaneers gained 360 total net yards while the Texans had 266. Houston scored first but Tampa Bay’s late drive and touchdown sealed the win.
Key player stats for Tampa Bay
Passing
Quarterback Baker Mayfield completed 25 of 38 passes for 215 yards and two touchdowns with zero interceptions. This efficient performance under pressure was central to the Buccaneers’ win.
Rushing
- Running back Rachaad White had 10 carries for 65 yards and one rushing touchdown with a long run of 16.
- Mayfield also ran 3 times for 33 yards including a scramble of 16 yards.
- Bucky Irving had 17 carries for 71 yards with a long run of 10.
Together this shows Tampa’s ground game was effective, helping sustain drives and control the clock.
Receiving
- Mike Evans caught 5 passes for 56 yards with a long of 22.
- Emeka Egbuka had 4 catches for 29 yards and a touchdown.
- Cade Otton had 3 catches for 25 yards with a long of 12.
- Ryan Miller had 1 catch for 20 yards and a touchdown.
These receiving stats show that Tampa was able to spread the ball and not rely on just one target.
Key player stats for Houston
Passing
Quarterback C J Stroud completed 13 of 24 passes for 207 yards and one touchdown with zero interceptions.
Rushing
- Nick Chubb had 12 carries for 43 yards including a 25 yard touchdown run.
- Stroud ran 4 times for 27 yards with a long run of 19.
- Wendell Marks had 3 carries for 14 yards.
Receiving
- Nico Collins caught a 29 yard touchdown pass and finished with 9 targets 3 receptions and 52 yards.
- Jayden Higgins had 2 catches for 29 yards.
- Xavier Hutchinson had 2 catches for 29 yards.
From Houston’s viewpoint the passing game had flashes but the rushing game other than Chubb’s run was modest.
Team stats and context
- Tampa Bay finished with 360 total net yards compared to Houston’s 266.
- Time of possession was heavily in favour of Tampa with about 37 minutes while Houston had about 22 minutes.
- Houston ranked 21st in the NFL in 2024 passing yards per game and 24th in yards per pass play.
These numbers suggest that Tampa Bay controlled the tempo better in this game getting more opportunities and using their run game to keep drives alive.
What do these stats tell us?
- Effective quarterback play by Tampa
Mayfield avoided turnovers had two touchdowns and contributed in the run game. That helped Tampa in critical moments. - Ground game mattering
Tampa Bay’s combination of White Irving and Mayfield on the ground created a balanced attack. Houston’s rush defence was vulnerable. - Houston passing solid but not dominant
Stroud had a good outing but was limited to one touchdown pass and the rest of the offence did not explode. - Critical moments
Tampa’s late game drive showed calm and strong execution. Houston had chances including a blocked punt and a special teams play but could not hold the lead. - Team context
Houston’s offence showed weaknesses in consistency and Tampa’s ability to convert important downs and manage time was key.
Player highlights
- Baker Mayfield showed veteran leadership and smart plays when needed.
- Rachaad White ran hard and scored the winning touchdown.
- Emeka Egbuka is becoming a strong receiving threat and already produces in big moments.
- Nico Collins showed big play skill for Houston but needs more consistency.
- Nick Chubb had one big rushing run that helped Houston stay close but the rest of his day was quiet.
Implications moving forward
For Tampa Bay
The win brings confidence and shows they can win close road games. If they stay balanced and avoid turnovers they can continue to grow.
For Houston
The loss shows areas to improve such as run defence consistency in offence and finishing drives. Stroud continues to show promise but needs more help from the rest of the team.
Conclusion
The game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Houston Texans was close and full of action. Tampa Bay won because they stayed calm and played well in the most important moments. Their mix of strong passing and steady running helped them control the game. Houston also showed talent, especially with C J Stroud and Nick Chubb, but they could not finish their drives or keep the lead late in the game. Both teams have good players and clear strengths, but Tampa Bay used their chances better. This match shows how important balance, time control, and smart play are in football.
Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
- What was the final score of the game
It was 20-19 for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. - Who was the winning team
The Buccaneers won. - How many passing yards did Baker Mayfield have
He had 215 passing yards. - How many rushing yards did Rachaad White have
He had 65 rushing yards and one touchdown. - How did Houston quarterback C J Stroud perform
He threw for 207 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions. - Which play sealed the win
Rachaad White’s 2 yard touchdown run with 6 seconds left secured the victory. - What was the time of possession advantage
Tampa Bay held the ball for about 37 minutes while Houston had about 23 minutes. - How did Tampa’s rushing attack compare
It was effective and used several runners plus Mayfield’s own rushing. - Did Houston’s run game help them
They had a key run by Nick Chubb for a touchdown but overall they did not control the ground game. - What are the main takeaways from this match
Tampa’s balance and late execution won the game. Houston has talent but needs more consistency and better finishing. Team stats such as possession and field position also made a big difference.
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