Battle Red Blog
After last weekend’s game, it’s hard to get excited for this Monday. The McNairs have trotted out an anemic offense more suited for a kickball game than world class football far too often over the last 5 years.
Brand new offense, same old results.
As many feared, the Houston Texans’ offensive line did not look revamped, repaired or otherwise improved when they faced the Los Angeles Rams in week 1. It’s sort of mind-boggling that Nick Caserio, a GM who cut his teeth in New England – a team known for always having a good and/or great o-line while he was there – hasn’t fixed this one yet.
In large part due to the sad offensive line performance:
C.J. Stroud and the seemingly loaded wide receiver room failed to generate 200 air yards.
If you remove Stroud’s (likely unplanned) 32 yards on the ground, the running attack didn’t eclipse 100 yards.
New offensive coordinator Nick Caley did not have a great debut – or even a good one.
But Monday is a new day – and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are traveling to NRG to face the Texans on their own turf. In a prime time game no less.
Facing a far less potent opponent than the Rams, the Buccs edged out the Atlanta Falcons 23-20 last Sunday.
Despite putting up 23 points, Tampa Bay’s offense didn’t do much better than Houston’s, statistically.
Does that make this anyone’s game this weekend? We’ll find out in just a few short days.
QB BAKER MAYFIELD had 3 TD passes vs. 0 INTs for 99.3 rating in Week 1, his 6th-straight start with 2+ TD passes. Has 90+ rating in 8 of his past 9 road starts. Aims for his 3rd in row on MNF with 2+ TD passes. Passed for 265 yards & 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs for 119.4 rating in last meeting.
RB BUCKY IRVING had 1st-career TD catch last week. Has TD in 4 of his past 5 road games.
WR RACHAAD WHITE had 119 scrimmage yards (73 rush, 46 rec.) & 2 rush TDs in last meeting.
WR MIKE EVANS has 5+ catches in each of his past 6 & 50+ rec. yards in each of his past 8. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Hou. with 85+ rec. yards. Has rec. TD in 8 of his 9 career MNF games.
WR EMEKA EGBUKA (rookie) had 2 rec. TDs in NFL debut last week & became 2nd player (Ernest Wilford, 9/12/04) since 1970 with GW rec. TD in final minute of 4th qtr. or OT in 1st career game.
LB LAVONTE DAVID had 9 tackles & TFL last week. Aims for his 3rd in row vs. Hou. with FF & 4th in row vs. Hou. with 10+ tackles. Has 12 TFL in 10 career MNF games.
LB HAASON REDDICK had sack in team debut last week.
LB SIRVOCEA DENNIS tied his career-high with 10 tackles, had career-best 2...
