BucsGameday Staff Score Predictions: Tampa Bay Buccaneers At Houston Texans

Our staff provides their predictions and analysis as the Buccaneers try to end a three-game skid.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have dropped four of their past five games, including three straight straight defeats where the offense failed to eclipse 20 points. After opening up the season 3-1 and in first place in the NFC South, the Buccaneers have slowly fallen back into the mediocrity that was expected out of the franchise in 2023.

READ MORE: Tom Brady Suffered a Significant Injury While Playing for Buccaneers

If the team is going to climb out of this hole, it's got to start this week as the Buccaneers will play their second consecutive road game against the Houston Texans. Despite holding a first-year head coach (DeMeco Ryans) and rookie quarterback (C.J. Stroud), the Texans have begun to find their footing during the past few games.

Our staff provides their predictions and analysis as the Buccaneers and Texans prepare to face off in NRG Stadium.

Dustin Lewis (@DustinLewisNG)

The sky has been falling for the Buccaneers, especially on offense with the unit yet to eclipse 20+ points since Week 2. Despite some encouraging moments on the other side of the ball, it doesn't matter when quarterback Baker Mayfield and his unit can't stay on the field.

This team has got to get back on track now or risk the train going completely off the tracks. I'm hoping that over ten days away from the field after playing their last game on Thursday night will have given the Buccaneers the necessary time to make corrections and figure out why the offense has faded.

Houston's defense is the strength of its team and C.J. Stroud is starting to come in his own. However, I feel like Tampa Bay is primed to bounce back in this matchup with a big effort from Mayfield. If not, things probably won't be pretty for the Buccaneers moving forward.

2023 Season Prediction Record: 5-2

Buccaneers 27, Texans 14

Logan Robinson (@LogansTwitty)

I’m not entirely sure where I want to go with this game… DeMeco Ryans knows how to coach a defense and the Buccaneers right now are struggling offensively in a lot of different ways. Baker Mayfield has done a better job in the last few games but Mike Evans needs to see the ball more and once again, the run game needs to find its footing. Something is telling me the Texans get this win on Sunday so I’m sticking with my gut. 

2023 Season Prediction Record: 3-4

Texans 24, Buccaneers 21

David Harrison (@DHarrison82)

The Texans' defense has done well as of late keeping opponents out of the end zone, but they’re giving up a good amount of yards through the air. That sets up well for the Bucs and I see a big game for Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans, and Tampa Bay’s passing attack. 

2023 Season Prediction Record: 3-4

Buccaneers 27, Texans 17

Collin Haalboom (@SI_Buccaneers)

It's hard to have much confidence in the Buccaneers based on how their offense has performed over the past month. The Texans on the other hand have shown a lot of promise on that side of the ball, primarily because of the superb quarterback play provided by their poised, and deadly accurate rookie, C.J. Stroud.

That said, I feel like the Buccaneers' defense is due for a dominating performance. With Vita Vea returning to the lineup, and the rest of the starting unit more-or-less at full strength, it's time for Todd Bowles' D to make a statement. In order for that to happen though, Baker Mayfield, Dave Canales, and the Bucs offense need to find a way to sustain longer drives and put some points on the board. Otherwise, they're just going to continue to hang the defense out to dry.

If it doesn't happen this week, I'm not convinced it will happen at all.

2023 Season Prediction Record: 4-3

Buccaneers 27, Texans 14

Caleb Skinner (@chsnole)

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Houston Texans will meet at NRG Stadium on Sunday in a battle of teams with the same record and looking to rediscover their earlier success in the season. The Texans have rookie CJ Stroud commanding the offense and there is concern around whether or not RB Pierce will play or not. 

The Buccaneers' defense still looks as strong as ever and will need to get something from the offense to pull off the “upset”. If they are able to get Mike Evans and Godwin involved early they should be able to get back on track in this one.

2023 Season Prediction Record: 3-4

Buccaneers 24, Texans 17

JC Allen (@JCAllenNFL)

The Buccaneers face a must-win game after dropping three straight. Just one game out of first place in the division a victory would help the Bucs stay in contention and get them back on track. 

Most of the Buccaneers' problems have been self-inflicted. Penalties, missed opportunities, drops, and play sequencing have all led to offensive struggles. Defensively lack of communication has led to play breakdowns providing big gains for the opposing team. 

The Texans are one of the better teams in the league at limiting opponents scoring chances, allowing just 18.3 points per game. However, they have major question marks with injuries to the offensive line and are likely to be without starting running back Damien Pierce and wide receiver Robert Woods. 

The Bucs need to take advantage of rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud's inexperience and capitalize on any mistakes he makes to win this game. While the offense needs to get off to a quicker start getting Mike Evans and Chris Godwin more involved earlier. If they do that and don't beat themselves, they can and should win this game. 

2023 Season Prediction Record: 6-1

Buccaneers 27 Texans 20

Kade Kimble (@kadekimble)

This game won’t be won by the Texans' defense, but rather by the lack of the Buccaneers' offense. Both teams are 3-4 on the season, but one team has a promising, young quarterback, and the other seems to be heading toward a rebuild. The Buccaneers will ultimately fall short in a tightly contested matchup. This one feels like it could be an ugly matchup both ways.

2023 Season Prediction Record: 4-3

Texans 17, Buccaneers 14

Ben Meyerson (@ByBenMeyerson)

The Houston Texans have been a surprisingly good football team after coming out of a few tumultuous seasons. Head Coach DeMeco Ryans has brought in the defensive philosophy from San Francisco that has turned around the Texans' defense from the bottom 5 to the top half of the league. 

But rookie QB CJ Stroud has been the biggest reason their offense has turned a corner, he looks like a seasoned veteran already even with a lackluster supporting cast. I expect the Buccaneers to hang around in this game, but their offense has been too mistake-prone. I predict that Mayfield will throw an interception at the wrong time and the Bucs offense will come up short. 

2023 Season Prediction Record: 4-3

Texans 23, Buccaneers 13

Cody Haynes (@codyh33)

The Bucs have dropped their last three games and are now sitting in third place in the NFC South with a 3-4 record. luckily, they have two favorable matchups coming up. This week the Bucs head to Houston to play the Texans. First-year head coach, DeMeco Ryans, is starting to build a pretty good team down there in Houston. 

Rookie quarterback, CJ Stroud has particularly played well this season. There are a decent amount of Texans O-linemen on IR, which could hopefully open up the Bucs pass rush. The offense needs to get back on track as well, the Texans are ranked second to last in the league in sacks, which should help give Mayfield some time to deliver the ball accurately. I believe the Bucs will get back on track this week. 

2023 Season Prediction Record: 1-2 (joined in middle of season)

Buccaneers 27, Texans 17

Matthew Hewitt (@bucs_tracker)

The Buccaneers are on a three-game losing streak but I have them getting back on track this week. The Texans are very banged up on the O-Line and I think that will be a huge factor.

2023 Season Prediction Record: 2-1 (joined in middle of season)

Buccaneers 20, Texans 14

CONSENSUS: Buccaneers (7-3)

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READ MORE: Two Tampa Bay Buccaneers Starters Are OUT vs. Houston

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