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Maybe it’s magic. Maybe it’s Baker Mayfield.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Star-Quarterback constructed an 11-play, 80-yard drive that included two heroic plays to keep their hopes alive as they defeated Houston Texans, 20-19.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers Quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) avoids pressure and seems to pass through the first quarter against Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on September 15, 2025. (Troy Taormina/IMAGN -Pictures)
At Buccaneers’ last drive, Mayfield stared down on the 4th and-10 from their own 32-yard line. He was facing tremendous pressure from Texans’ defense, but used his legs to run 15 meters to get the first down and keep the drive alive. Two plays later found Mayfield who ran back Bucky Irving, who ran across the field. Irving came around a tackle and threw three more on their way to a 22 -yard win.
Mayfield moved the violation down the field, and Richaad White punched the ball into the final zone of 2-yard scores. It put Buccaneers up a point.
The Texans wouldn’t have another offensive game, even with six seconds left.
Mayfield took lick after Lick in the game and was fired four times. He was hit hard on scrambles and even got on the face of Texan’s defensive back CJ Gardner-Johnson after a spectacle. Still, he was 25-of-38 with 215 passing yards and two touchdown passes. He added 33 yards to earth.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneer’s wide receiver Ryan Miller (81) celebrates with Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight than Payne Durham (87) after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter at NRG Stadium on September 15, 2025. (Troy Taormina/IMAGN -Pictures)
Tampa Bay’s first touchdown came in the first quarter when Mayfield found Ryan Miller on a 20-yard score. Mayfield found rookie-wide receiving EMEKA EGBUKA for a 15-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Tampa Bay had a 14-10 lead that went during the break.
Texans Quarterback CJ Stroud fought in the light of pressure from Buccaneers’ defensive line. But he kept Houston close late in the game the best he could.
Houston Texans, who runs back Nick Chubb (21) runs with the ball as Tampa Bay Buccaneers Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (31) During the first quarter at NRG Stadium on September 15, 2025. (Troy Taormina/IMAGN -Pictures)
With 2:10 back, Stroud handed the ball to the veteran who runs back Nick Chubb. He spotted after a 25-yard rushing touchdown to take the lead. It was Chubb’s first rushing touchdown since November 21, 2024.
The Texans’ defense failed to keep their end of the negotiation.
Stroud ended 13-of-24 with 207 yards and a touchdown pass for Nico Collins.
Houston Texans Quarterback CJ Stroud (7) falls back to pass during the first quarter against Tampa Bay Buccaneers at NRG Stadium on September 15, 2025. (Troy Taormina/IMAGN -Pictures)
Tampa Bay improved to 2-0 a year and marked the fifth just season they have reached this record. Houston fell to 0-2.
