Official Texans @ Buccaneers Game Thread, 12/21/2019

[Arky]

The 9-5 Houston Texans head off to Tampa Bay to play the 7-7 Buccaneers this Saturday in an early game. The Texans are coming off a 24-21 road win over the Tennessee Titans. The Bucs are coming off a 38-17 road win over the Detroit Lions. No one has thrown for more yards than Bucs QB Jameis Winston (4,573). No one has thrown more INT's than Jameis Winston (24) and it's not close (Rivers has 18). Winston has 30 TD passes so obviously, the Texan defense can expect to run into a pass-heavy offense.

I think the Texans are flat out going to have to outscore these guys because I expect the Bucs to put up some points although the Bucs will be missing a couple of good receivers. I think they (Texans) will. I think the Denver game snapped them out of their euphoria of beating the Pats and that they should be focused and want to take care of business. I've got it:

Texans 38, Bucs 28

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

TV = NFLN, noon CST, Saturday, 12/21/2019

Announcers (https://506sports.com/nfl.php?yr=2019&wk=16) = Rich Eisen, Joe Thomas, Nate Burleson

The line (http://www.madduxsports.com/nfl-odds.php) = Texans by 3

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Other Saturday games:

NFLN (late) = Buffalo @ New England (3:30 PM CST; NFLN; Mike Tirico, Kurt Warner)

NFLN (night) = LA Rams @ San Francisco (7:15 PM CST; NFLN; Kevin Burkhardt, Charles Davis)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunday viewing in the Houston area:

CBS (early) = Baltimore @ Cleveland, Jim Nantz, Tony Romo

FOX (early) = New Orleans @ Tennessee, Kenny Albert, Ronde Barber (large map (https://506sports.com/nfl.php?yr=2019&wk=16) coverage)

FOX (late) = Dallas @ Philadelphia, Joe Buck, Troy Aikman

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Prime time:

TNF = done for the year, no more TNF

SNF = Kansas City @ Chicago (NBC)

MNF = Green Bay @ Minnesota (ESPN)

[HPF Bob]

Tampa's top two receivers, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, are ruled out for this game. Buccaneers may turn to multiple TE sets.

[Warren]

If you don’t have NFL Network you can stream the game on the Yahoo Sports app. But you have to watch it on a phone or tablet and you can’t use WiFi.

[nunusguy]

If you don’t have NFL Network you can stream the game on the Yahoo Sports app. But you have to watch it on a phone or tablet and you can’t use WiFi.

We've got U-Verse and they dropped the NFLN some time ago so we don't get the two later games which sucks because I'd sure like to see the Bills play NE,
but CBS is carrying the Texans game otherwise I'd have to head for a sports bar.

[HPF Bob]

If you can't get NFL Network, try here after kickoff:

http://www.sports24.club/nfl/

Click the game you want then click the "play" arrow in the big box. Ignore the malware warnings from your browser. They used to cover the box with an ad and you had to wait 30 seconds before trying. The ad isn't there anymore but, to be safe, click only the window.

Ready to be served some Famous Jameis Tasty Turnovers.

[HPF Bob]

Jacob Martin and Bernardrick McKinney are among the inactives, including Coutee.

[HPF Bob]

Either NFL Network recorded these segments earlier this morning or the Bucs got a Rays crowd today.

[Arky]

Gametime!

Bucs win the toss and elect to receive.

Merry Christmas! Winston's first pass is a pick 6 by Roby! 17 yards.

Texans 7, Bucs 0

14:12 left in the 1st qtr.

[HPF Bob]

MMMM..a delicious Pick-Six Turnover!

7-0 Houston.

[Arky]

Jameis is in the Xmas spirit. Reid INT"s the Winston pass and returns it for another pick 6 but a penalty negates the score. Texans get the ball at the Buc 24.

13:09 left in the 1st qtr.

[Arky]

Texans have to settle for the FG. Fairbairn is good from 32.

Texans 10, Bucs 0

11:29 left in the 1st qtr.

[chuck]

Opening drive given to the Texans on the Bucs 20. Impressive streak of total futility remains intact.

[HPF Bob]

I never did see that block in the back that cost us four points. Oh, well. 10-0 Texans. Not a bad start.

BTW, I know Scott Novak's mother. She posts on the Broncos board. But she will flame anyone that rips her son.

[Arky]

Buc's drive stalls out and they attempt a 54-yard FG but Blackson blocks it. Texans recover the ball and Cunningham runs it back to the Texan 49.

Still, 10-0 and the Texans have the ball.

8:16 left in the 1st qtr.

[Arky]

Fairbairn lines up for the 54-yard FG but it turns into a punt. Fairbairn punts it out of bounds at the Buc 10. Buc's ball.

4:38 left in the 1st qtr.

[HPF Bob]

Man, you would think Tampa Bay was the Texans the way they keep getting calls against them.

[chuck]

The Texans haven't come anywhere close to a first down that wasn't penalty assisted. The play calling has been absolutely brutal.

[Arky]

Buc's drive stalls out and Gay is on to attempt a 50-yard FG.

FG is good.

Texans 10, Texans 3

56 seconds left in the 1st qtr.

[HPF Bob]

I predict a handoff to Hyde right up the middle here...it has worked so well on first down. :rolleyes:

[Arky]

Total yards = Texans 15, Bucs 131

Penalties = Texans 1/15, Bucs 5/40

TOP = Texans 5:23, Bucs 8:41

[Arky]

I predict a handoff to Hyde right up the middle here...it has worked so well on first down. :rolleyes:

Correct! How'd you know? :p

[HPF Bob]

I predict a handoff to Hyde right up the middle here...it has worked so well on first down. :rolleyes:

I could see that all the way from Panama. O'Brien is so imaginative.

[Arky]

Ugh, D Johnson coughs it up and the Bucs recover. Buc's ball at the Texan 31.

JJo INT's right back! Texans have the ball at their 14.

14:06 left in the half.

[Arky]

Texans will have to punt. O-line not playing very good and the Buc defense is playing with their hair on fire. Watson has no time.

Bucs will start at about their 30.

12:24 left in the half.

[chuck]

Well, the good news is the Nexans got a first down in there somewhere. The bad news is that BOB is still their head coach.

[Warren]

Rich Eisen is really struggling with the Winston-Watson thing.

[Arky]

My goodness. The Bucs fumble it right back! Texans have the ball at the Buc 42.

Pass to Fells go to the 25.

Hyde goes for 5.

Mr. Hyde for 6 more, 1st down.

Hyde for 2.

Pass off the hands of Akins, inc.

Watson hits Fells who crosses into the end zone. TD! Play under review...

Looks like he's about a football short... Texans will have 1st and goal at the ½ yard line.

Mr. Hyde runs it in for the score.

Texans 17, Bucs 3

9:22 left in the half.

[Arky]

Both teams have a possession and don't get much. Texans have just punted it away and the Bucs will start at their 19 with 5:13 left in the half.

[HPF Bob]

Let's see if the NFL allows that aerial shot again for the rest of the game. That's embarrassing. That's worse than the Dome after Bud announced the Oilers were moving.

[chuck]

Let's see if the NFL allows that aerial shot again for the rest of the game. That's embarrassing. That's worse than the Dome after Bud announced the Oilers were moving.

The aerial shot of the Dome wasn't too incriminating.

[Arky]

Jones runs it in for a Buc TD from 4 yards.

Texans 17, Bucs 10

1:57 left in the half.

[chuck]

I would be happier celebrating the Texans' total offensive ineptitude if I thought that their losing today and losing next week would result in BOB's dismissal.

[HPF Bob]

It's not a Texans game without a tight score. Only the Atlanta game did the Texans blow anyone out.

[Arky]

Oy, Watson's deep pass to Stills is INT'ed and brought back to the Texan 39. Bucs have the ball with 42 seconds left in the half.

Winston's deep pass is over everyone, inc.

Pass to Hyman goes to the 8 yard line. 28 seconds left in the half.

Conley almost INT's but inc.

Pass into the end zone goes inc. 20 seconds left, 3rd and goal.

Pass to J Watson gets the 8 yard TD for the Bucs.

Texans 17, Bucs 17

13 seconds left in the half.

-----------------------------------------------

The ensuing kickoff is a touchback.

Texans kneel it.

Halftime.

[chuck]

A team that should have been up 14-0 a minute into the game goes into the half tied thanks to zero offense and zero pass rush, despite playing against a qb who is happy to throw five picks a game.

You guys worrying about the Nexans getting smoked against the Ravens, you can relax. They're going to get absolutely schooled in the first game. IF they make the playoffs.

[Arky]

Texans take the 2nd half kickoff and drive down the field, Watson has a nice run on 3rd and 15 to keep the drive alive.

Drive stalls at the Buc 7-yard line and Fairbairn is on for the 25-yard FG.

Kick is good.

Texans 20, Bucs 17

9:30 left in the 3rd qtr.

Watson looking not sharp on his passes and favoring his ankle....

[Arky]

Bucs put a drive together but have to settle for a FG.

Gay is good from 41.

Texans 20, Bucs 20

1:13 left in the 3rd qtr.

[Arky]

Texans face 3rd and 23 deep in their own territory (12 yard line) as the 3rd qtr comes to a close.

Texans 20, Bucs 20

[Arky]

Texans have another decent drive but have to settle for a Fairbairn 37-yarder.

Texans 23, Buc 20

7:11 left in the game.

[HPF Bob]

I saw Stills limping on that last incomplete. Texans are going to need that extra day of rest the way this game is going.

Remember. this was the field where Watson won the National Championship while with Clemson.

[Arky]

Buc receiver drops the pass on 4th and 2. Texans takeover on downs.

Can the Texans burn 3:34 and win the game?

[HPF Bob]

That Buc receiver just Fishered it! Turnover on downs.

[Arky]

Texans have to punt on 4th and 1. 2:27 left in the game.

Anger's punt goes out at the Buc 10 yard line.

2:21 left in the game.

[Arky]

One more - Addae with the INT halts the Buc's drive! Texan's ball at the Buc 37 with 1:27 left.

Hyde gets 2 tough yards on 2nd and 11.

On 3rd and 9, Hyde loses 1 or 2 yards. Brings up 4th and 10....

Texans let the clock run out and take the penalty before punting with 28 seconds left.

Anger's punt is fair caught at the Buc 4 yard line.

21 seconds left.

[Arky]

Texans hang on for the win. AFC South champs.

Final score:

Texans 23, Buc 20

[HPF Bob]

Celebrate with some champagne and another delicious Famous Jameis Tasty Turnover! Congrats, Texans.

[HPF Bob]

Start getting that arm loose, McCarron! You're starting next week.

[Arky]

Start getting that arm loose, McCarron! You're starting next week.

Hope so. I'd give Watson a full 2 weeks to get that ankle back in shape. I don't think the Texans will succeed next week against a Titans team that has a real good shot at the #6 seed and the Texans in rest-up mode. Even if the Titans fall to New Orleans tomorrow, they'll still be in it by beating the Texans. New Orleans might go rest-up mode and allow the Titans to get by them. Pittsburgh has the back-up's backup at QB and might even fall @ Jets tomorrow. Pittsburgh finishes the season against the Ravens.....

--------------------------------------------------

Early line (http://www.madduxsports.com/nfl-odds.php) has the Texans by 1 vs. Titans. I kinda like the Titans in this spot.

--------------------------------------------------

Poor day statistically for the Texans. Not much offense. The story, of course, was winning the turnover battle 5-2.

--------------------------------------------------

Really starting to look like it will be Texans vs. Bills at NRG in the first round...

[HPF Bob]

Really starting to look like it will be Texans vs. Bills at NRG in the first round...

Yup. Buffalo is certain to have the #5 seed with the tiebreaker against Pittsburgh. Houston is practically certain to have the #4 seed unless the Chiefs stage a two-game collapse against sub-.500 teams and Houston beats Tennessee with no motivation.

As the 4-5 contest, the winner gets to go to Baltimore for the second round. The 3-6 winner goes to Fuxboro.

Man we need to get a lot of guys healthy.

BTW, I finally saw the blindside block they called on Omenihu during Reid's runback and it was the correct call. He had passrushed upfield then came back and shoved an offensive lineman from behind who was still looking downfield at Reid's return.

[HPF Bob]

Also, Famous Jameis is two picks away from being the first QB in NFL history to have 30 INTs and 30 TD passes in the same season.

And nice research by NFL Network to have pictures of Addae when he was nine years old after the last time he had played in Raymond James Stadium before today. What a nice Yuletide finish before his family and glad that NFL Network could bring out that tidbit, complete with photos. That's called being ready with a storyline.

[Arky]

......

Early line (http://www.madduxsports.com/nfl-odds.php) has the Texans by 1 vs. Titans. I kinda like the Titans in this spot.



And just like that, the spread (https://www.sportsbookreview.com/betting-odds/nfl-football/) has kicked up to the Titans being favored by 4½ to 5½ next weekend. OB has come out and said we-are-playing-to-win but apparently, no one believes him.... eheh.

It's an interesting situation. Should the Texans win and, with a little luck and should some other not too far fetched things happen, they could move up to the #3 seed. They then would probably play the Titans again in the first round of the playoffs. Playing the Titans three times in four weeks is a little much... I do like the idea of finishing 11-5 versus 10-6 but that is just because it looks better on the team history. The #4 seed is fine by me...