Two primetime opponents collide as the Buccaneers try to rebound in Week 2 against the Texans after a rough offensive showing in Week 1. Baker Mayfield and the Tampa attack sputtered on quick throws and couldn’t establish a run game behind Bucky Irving and Rachaad White, while Mike Evans operated largely as a decoy. Defensively, Tampa showed pressure and played with energy, and Antoine Winfield Jr. appeared healthy and impactful. Inactives for Tampa Bay include Tristan Wirfs and Chris Godwin Jr., complicating plans but not crushing them entirely. Houston’s matchup offers a chance for the Bucs to reestablish rhythm, while Houston aims to salvage a shaky start in prime time.

The Week 2 slate features a familiar rematch vibe with a quick turnaround from Week 1’s uneven execution. Tampa Bay will lean on a retooled game plan to maximize Mayfield’s strengths and get Evans more involved, while Houston hopes to exploit any lingering concerns in Tampa’s backfield and secondary. The late-week impulse for fantasy managers is to reassess target share, red-zone opportunities, and how inactives shift upside for several skill players in a high-stakes environment.

Tampa Bay unveiled its 2025 captains, sticking with Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans and Lavonte David, and adding Tristan Wirfs, Vita Vea and Antoine Winfield Jr. to the leadership group. Bowles framed it as a mix of long-tenured icons and steady young captains to set a strong tone for the Buccaneers’ 50th season. This signals stability for fantasy managers as the locker room culture could bolster consistent production from the offense and defense alike.

Mayfield, Evans and David anchor the core, with Wirfs and Winfield Jr. providing offensive line continuity and secondary leadership. Vita Ve(a) and Winfield Jr. round out a durable, communicative unit. Expect Evans to remain a target anchor, Mayfield to leverage experience, and the defense to benefit from veteran leadership across the field.

Bucs offense lean on Baker Mayfield’s sharp, balanced approach with Evans and Godwin ruling the wide game. Wirfs anchors the line as Grizzard reshapes play-calling to maximize efficiency behind a healthy Grizzard.Coach Bowles eyes another NFC South title, with Grizzard’s tweaks central to 2025 output.

Defensively, middle-field coverage remains Tampa’s Achilles’ heel, but Winfield Jr. is expected to rebound and the backfield could stabilize behind a bigger role for Irving. Morrison’s rookie ceiling adds upside, while the offense’ depth and QB stability keep fantasy upside alive across TB’s core playmakers.