Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Houston Texans: Full Tampa Bay Game Preview
Coming off a big win last week, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will have to elevate their play to an even higher level this week, as they go back on the road to face the Houston Texans in Week 3.
The Bucs defense responded to a Week 1 blowout with a stellar performance against the New Orleans Saints last week and should be salivating over this week's matchup against the likes of Houston quarterbacks Ryan Mallett and Brian Hoyer.
Jameis Winston and the Tampa Bay offense also cut down on their costly mistakes in Week 2, taking better care of the football and making big plays in key moments to build an insurmountable lead.
Bucs fans, here's everything you need to know about Tampa Bay's Week 3 matchup with the Texans.
Viewing Info
Date: Sunday, September 27
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: NRG Stadium, Houston
TV: Fox
Week 2 Results and Recap
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| Team | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA | Streak |
| Atlanta Falcons | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 50 | 44 | W2 |
| Carolina Panthers | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 44 | 26 | W2 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 1 | 1 | 0 | .500 | 40 | 61 | W1 |
| New Orleans Saints | 0 | 2 | 0 | .000 | 38 | 57 | L2 |
After the Tennessee Titans obliterated the Bucs in Week 1, many expected them to get run out of the Superdome by a Saints team that had beaten Tampa Bay seven straight times. But head coach Lovie Smith and his crew had other plans.
The Bucs defense suffocated Drew Brees and the New Orleans offense, tallying four sacks and forcing three turnovers on the way to a 26-19 road victory against its division rival.
Defensive end Jacquies Smith led the attack for Tampa Bay with three sacks, forcing fumbles on two of them and rattling Brees early. Three-time Pro Bowler Gerald McCoy added his second sack in as many games, while safety Chris Conte accounted for two of the Bucs' takeaways.
Rookie quarterback Jameis Winston managed the offense well, avoiding costly mistakes and mounting a pair of key touchdown drives. He gave the Bucs the lead back just before the half and stretched the margin on the first possession of the third quarter.
The Saints mounted a late comeback to get within a touchdown, but a last-ditch effort ended on a pair of failed bombs to the end zone as time expired.
News and Notes
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Bucs vs. Texans, Take Four
Tampa Bay and Houston have faced off three times since the Texans joined the NFL as an expansion franchise in 2002, and this week's home team currently leads the short series 2-1.
Per Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com, none of the previous three games have been particularly close:
"So Bucs-Texans is a brief history lesson, and not a very competitive one. The expansion Texans were still finding their feet in 2003 and the Buccaneers were the defending Super Bowl champs, so it was no surprise that Tampa Bay started out 1-0 in the series. Alternately, in 2011, the Texans were on the way to their very first playoff berth while the Buccaneers were limping to a 4-12 finish.
"
The 2007 meeting in Houston looked as if it had the potential to be tightly-contested, with the 8-4 Buccaneers taking on the 6-7 Texans, but the home team won that one by two touchdowns. The Bucs did go on to the playoffs that year while Houston made it to .500 for the first time in franchise history.
With the Bucs coming off a much-needed win and the Texans chomping at the bit for their first win of the year, Sunday's meeting has the potential to be a close one.
For Swearinger, This Week Is Personal
After spending a second-round pick on safety D.J. Swearinger just two years ago, the Texans waived the South Carolina product prior to the 2015 season.
Now with the Bucs, Swearinger hasn't forgotten that his former team gave up on him so quickly, per Andrew Astleford of ESPN.com:
"You think about it every day. You think about the team giving up on you. Whatever the case came down to being, the team still gave up on you after you've been there for a couple years.
Yeah, I circled it right away. As soon as I saw Game 3, people asked me, 'What game [do] you want?' All of them really, but especially Game 3. It's going to be a big game for me. Hopefully, we can get the win.
"
Swearinger has fought hard to earn a starting role throughout training camp and the preseason and has seen plenty of action. He's fighting through injury this week, but something tells me he'll do whatever it takes to be on the field Sunday against his former team.
Winston Wants Watt
His offensive linemen may have a different opinion, but Bucs rookie quarterback Jameis Winston is looking forward to going up against arguably the best defensive player in the NFL this week: Houston's J.J. Watt.
Per Astleford, Winston is confident and relishes the chance to play against a potential all-time great:
"It's amazing as a true football fan to play against the best players in the game or the best players I've been seeing since I've been growing up. I have tremendous confidence. But it's still a privilege for me just thinking like a kid, not even thinking about going against him. I'm just like, 'Wow, we get to play J.J. Watt.'
"
Winston may be anticipating the thought of playing against Watt for now, but he might change his tune after a few series on Sunday.
Latest Injury News
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| Player | Position | Injury |
| Gerald McCoy | DT | Shoulder |
| Mike Evans | WR | Hamstring |
| Austin Seferian-Jenkins | TE | Shoulder |
| Major Wright | S | Abdomen |
| Evan Smith | C | Ankle |
| Mike Jenkins | CB | Hamstring |
| D.J. Swearinger | S | Shoulder |
| T.J. Fatinikun | DE | Shoulder |
The Bucs have quite a few names on the injury list this week, including some impact players on both sides of the ball.
McCoy injured his shoulder on the final drive of last week's game, and though it looked potentially serious, the three-time Pro Bowler practiced in a limited capacity on Wednesday. Bucs fans will be monitoring his status closely throughout the week.
Evans started last week after missing Week 1, but he saw limited action and was basically a decoy, not registering a single catch. He was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, so it looks like he could be back to full speed for this week's game.
Evans returning to 100 percent would be a huge boost for the offense, considering Seferian-Jenkins is dealing with a strained shoulder that could keep him out between four and six weeks, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. His absence will be sorely missed by Jameis Winston and the Tampa Bay offense.
Fatinikun, Swearinger and Jenkins were limited participants in practice on Wednesday, while Smith and Wright were unable to practice at all. The Bucs could be particularly thin on defensive depth this week, while the newly signed Joe Hawley would start at center in Week 3 if Smith isn't able to go.
*All injury information courtesy of Buccaneers.com.
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Top Matchups
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Bucs offensive line vs. Texans defensive line
This matchup could make for a long afternoon for Bucs fans, as a young unit up front attempts to take on the league's best defensive player and last year's No. 1 overall draft pick.
While the Bucs are starting two rookies up front and potentially two new additions from earlier this year, the Texans have a group full of experience and freakish athletic ability, led by J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney. Tampa Bay's coaching staff should expect plenty of pressure throughout the afternoon and plan to get the ball out of Jameis Winston's hands as quickly as possible.
Bucs secondary vs. Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins
Houston's quarterback situation is unsettled, and Arian Foster isn't likely to play, but the Texans still have a promising playmaker on offense in Hopkins.
Houston will likely look to force-feed him the ball this week, and the Tampa Bay secondary should be well aware of this fact. Look for the Bucs to focus most of their attention on Hopkins, shading coverage to his side and forcing the rest of Houston's offense to beat them. If the defensive line can create the same amount of pressure it did last week, the Bucs could cause some poor decisions and throws that turn into more takeaways this week.
Matchup X-Factor
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Bucs X-Factor of the Week: WR Vincent Jackson
With Mike Evans still working his way back to full speed from a hamstring injury and Austin Seferian-Jenkins potentially on the shelf for the next few weeks, Jackson will have to return to his role of No. 1 target in the passing game for Tampa Bay.
The veteran pass-catcher proved last week he can still make big plays down the field and in the red zone (with three catches for 54 yards and a touchdown), and he'll have to do more of the same this week. Jameis Winston isn't likely to have much time behind a young offensive line that will be under constant pressure.
Jackson will need to use his 6'5" size to shield defenders on quick routes designed to get the ball out of Winston's hands early, helping the Bucs to keep the chains moving and end up in scoring situations.
Prediction: Texans 16, Bucs 13
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The Bucs are riding plenty of positive momentum after last week's bounce-back win on the road over the New Orleans Saints, but they'll face an even tougher test away from home this week.
The defense should continue its strong play against a Houston Texans offense with a weak quarterback situation that won't take full advantage of a young playmaker such as DeAndre Hopkins. The Texans are also missing their anchor in the running game in the injured Arian Foster, which should keep their offense from moving the ball effectively on the ground.
Tampa Bay's defense will keep the Bucs in the game, but Houston's defense will prove too much for a rookie quarterback in Jameis Winston and a weak offensive line that should get handled by the likes of J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney.
Expect a low-scoring affair that goes the way of the home team.
Prediction: Texans 16, Bucs 13
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