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September 15, 2025, 11:34 am
Last Updated on September 15, 2025 11:37 am by Jon Mosales | Published: September 15, 2025
MNF -Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Houston Texans
Point spread: Buccs +2.5 | Texans -2.5
Moneyline: Buccs +120 | Texans -140
Total: Over 42.5 | Under 44.5View post
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Overview:
With two games on MNF, history tells us that one will be a classic. The Buccs are 1-0, but are dealing with injuries at WR and the offensive line, bur rookie WR Emeka Egbuka was excellent with two TDs. The TB defense has fallen off in recent seasons, but hey finished fourth against the run last season and held Bijan Robinson to only 24 rushing yards in Week 1. If HOU is going to move the ball, don’t rely on Nick Chubb and it will be on the shoulders of CJ Stroud and the legs of Nico Collins. After revamping the o-line, Houston still allowed C.J. Stroud to suffer three sacks, get hit seven times, and feel the heat on 41% of his drop backs in a loss to the L.A. Rams in Week 1. The Texans are looking to get top receiver Nico Collins going after he had just three receptions for 25 yards in the opener. “Throw it to Nico as many times as we can, of course,” which is great news if roster the superstar WR and need him to have a big night to win your matchup.
Quarterbacks:
Baker Mayfield is among the best QBs in the league The Texans allowed 21 completions last week to Matt Stafford despite playing in the lowest-scoring game of Week 1 and this should be another slow as HOU boasts one of the best defenses in the league. Of the four QBs playing on MNF, I trust Mayfield the most rest of season, but he might be my QB4 tonight simply because of the matchup. I think HOU has a top-three defense and at home they should be even more violent. Mayfield was the QB12 last week in a better matchup, but HOU did allow the eighth-highest yards per attempt. On the other side, CJ Stroud is a pass-heavy game script as TB is always stout vs. the run and Stroud needs a bounce-back after finishing as the QB26 in fantasy in Week 1. TB did give up a massive week to Michael Penix Jr, but expect Stroud to be under siege all night as Todd Bowles is going to blitz Stroud relentlessly. I don’t like the looks of this game from a fantasy perspective for either QB, but with it being Monday, you don’t have much wiggle room.
Running Backs:
Nick Chubb dialed it back in Week 1 with 60 rushing yards, but no TDs which led to a RB37 finish, but the o-line looks terrible and it won’t be as easy vs. TB. Chubb is going to be TD dependent in this one because the quality and quantity probably won’t be there. Chubb does seem to get most of the work in the backfield, but he’s more of a desperate play than a reliable one at this point of the season. Bucky Irving was the RB19 despite a 2.6 YPC and four receptions for only four yards. The good news is that Irving had 14 of the 17 running back attempts, but his fantasy explosion seems tied to Tristan Wirfs returning from injury. This is about the worst matchup possible although Kyren Williams did have some success in Week 1. Irving is still a must-start and has a shot at a top-20 week, but he will need to continue to dominate the passing work. Since the start of last season, the Texans defense has allowed the most yards-after-the-catch in the league to opposing running backs: a colossal 8.21 YAC.
Wide Receivers:
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