Baker Mayfield leads Buccaneers to dramatic win over Texans: What to know

Sports
Micheal Olaleye
September 16, 2025
38

Baker Mayfield proved once again why he thrives under pressure. With less than two minutes left, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback engineered an 80-yard drive that ended with Rachaad White’s decisive two-yard touchdown run, sealing a thrilling 20-19 victory over the Houston Texans. The win marked Tampa Bay’s second straight to open the 2025 season, while Houston dropped to 0-2.

Late-Game Heroics Define Mayfield’s Night

Trailing 19-14 with just over two minutes remaining, Baker Mayfield faced a critical fourth down. Scrambling out of the pocket, he converted with his legs, keeping the Buccaneers’ hopes alive. He followed with five straight completions, including two key gains from rookie running back Bucky Irving, before White powered into the endzone with six seconds to spare. It was Mayfield’s first prime-time regular season win with Tampa Bay, breaking a frustrating 0-6 streak.

Stat Line: Accuracy and Resilience

Mayfield completed 25 of 38 passes for 215 yards and two touchdowns, connecting with rookie Emeka Egbuka and tight end Ryan Miller. Crucially, he avoided interceptions against a Houston defense that sacked him four times. “We haven’t even played close to our best football yet, but we’re finding ways to win,” Mayfield said after the game, highlighting his confidence in Tampa Bay’s trajectory.

Chargers vs Raiders: Who scored for the Raiders? Here’s all you should know

Bucs’ Offensive Balance Comes Alive

The Buccaneers leaned on their running game to ease the pressure on Mayfield. Irving rushed for 71 yards while White added 65, giving Tampa Bay 169 rushing yards at 5.6 yards per carry. Despite losing right tackle Luke Goedeke early to injury and already missing left tackle Tristan Wirfs, the offensive unit held up long enough for Mayfield to work his late-game magic.

Texans Falter at Crucial Moment

For Houston, the defeat was another bitter pill. C.J. Stroud posted modest numbers, going 13-of-24 for 207 yards, but struggled with accuracy in key moments. Despite Nick Chubb’s 25-yard touchdown run that put the Texans ahead with just over two minutes left, their defense could not contain Mayfield in the closing drive. Special teams shone, with Jakob Johnson blocking a punt and Jaylin Noel sparking momentum with a 53-yard return, but the offense failed to capitalize consistently.

Troubling Trends for Both Teams

The Buccaneers continue to give up explosive scores early, conceding a touchdown on their opponent’s opening drive for the second straight week. Meanwhile, kicker Chase McLaughlin missed another field goal, raising concerns after a near-perfect 2024 season. For Houston, protection issues remain glaring, Stroud has now been sacked six times across two games, pressured on nearly half his dropbacks.

What This Win Means for Tampa Bay

With the victory, the Buccaneers improved to 2-0 for the fifth consecutive year, staying atop the NFC South. The Texans, now 0-2, face a tough test next week against the Jaguars. For Mayfield, this comeback not only solidifies his role as Tampa Bay’s leader but also signals that the Bucs can win ugly while still searching for consistency across all three phases.