NFL Picks: Week 9 Buccaneers vs Texans

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Anticipation is building as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers gear up to face off against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium this Sunday. Both teams are treading the middle ground with identical 3-4 records in this NFL season. Here’s a closer look for bettors hungry for insights.

BUSR NFL Lines

Spread: Buccaneers +2.5 (+100), Texans -2.5 (-120) 

Moneyline: Buccaneers +125, Texans -145 

Total: Buccaneers O 40 (-110), U 40 (-110) 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers began their season on a high note, cruising to a 3-1 record. But the tide seems to have turned, as they’ve faced a trio of consecutive defeats. A worrying trend is their scoring, which hasn’t surpassed 18 points in each of those losses. Equally concerning is their lack of a potent ground game, having secured just one rushing touchdown so far this season, tying them at the league’s bottom. But it’s not all gloomy for Tampa Bay. Their aerial prowess has delivered 10 touchdowns, providing a glimmer of hope.

In their recent showdown with the Bills, the Buccaneers were playing catch-up for most of the match. They were behind 24-10 as the game entered its final quarter and despite a spirited effort, they fell short, finishing at 24-18. Quarterback Baker Mayfield had a solid outing, clocking 237 yards with a pair of touchdowns. Rachaad White was the standout player, showcasing his skills both in rushing and receiving. Yet, some worrying trends loom large for the Buccaneers: they’ve been on the losing side in their last six outings against AFC teams and have been struggling with their punt returns, ranking at the NFL’s bottom.

Houston Texans Insights

The Texans, much like their counterparts, started their season on a balanced note with a 2-2 record. But inconsistency has plagued them ever since, as they suffered two heart-wrenching defeats, each by a mere two-point margin. Their offensive output echoes a similar pattern to the Buccaneers, with 10 touchdowns coming from passes, while their ground game has been subdued, contributing just three. On the defensive front, they’ve been more generous to rushers, conceding eight touchdowns, as compared to five against passing plays.

Their latest match against the Panthers was nothing short of a thriller. They had the upper hand with a 13-12 lead going into the final stretch but were edged out, ending 15-13. CJ Stroud’s passing, Dameon Pierce’s rushes, and Noah Brown’s receptions were the highlights. But the Texans have some skeletons in their closet: a consistent losing streak in their last eight home games against teams with a losing record and difficulties covering the spread in recent Sunday games.

Prediction

Neither team is showcasing dominant form. The Texans, despite a strong defensive game, couldn’t capitalize against the Panthers. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers’ clash with the Bills was characterized by penalties and limited scoring.

Given the home advantage, the Texans might seem like the safer bet. But both teams have showcased vulnerabilities, making this a tough call for bettors. A reluctant lean might favor the Texans to cover the -2.5 spread on BUSR’s NFL Odds.