In Houston, Baker Mayfield orchestrated an impressive 11-play, 80-yard drive that ended with Rachaad White scoring a 2-yard touchdown with only 6 seconds remaining, leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a narrow 20-19 victory over the Houston Texans on Monday night.

Mayfield passed for 215 yards and secured two touchdowns for the Buccaneers (2-0). A crucial moment came when Mayfield scrambled for 15 yards on a fourth-and-10, keeping the decisive drive alive.

The Texans (0-2) took a 19-14 lead on a 25-yard TD run by Nick Chubb with 2:10 leff. Houston went for 2 but C.J. Stroud was sacked.

The Texans, trailing by just one point, managed to force a quick stop with the help of a third-down sack by Will Anderson. Rookie Jaylin Noel then delivered a spectacular 53-yard punt return, bringing Houston close to the 30-yard line.

Shortly afterward, Chubb broke through the defense and reached the end zone untouched, scoring his first touchdown for the Texans after previously spending seven seasons with the Browns.

Stroud threw for 207 yards and a touchdown but failed to move the offense effectively for much of the second half.

Houston was down by four points and was scoreless in the second half when Riley Dixon’s punt was blocked by Jakob Johnson, giving the Texans possession on the Tampa Bay 35-yard line with around 6 and a half minutes left. The Texans couldn’t advance much and opted for a 53-yard field goal by Ka’imi Fairbairn, trimming the deficit to 14-13 with just over five minutes to play.

In the latter part of the third quarter, the Buccaneers had an opportunity to extend their lead as both teams faced offensive struggles post-halftime. However, Chase McLaughlin’s 38-yard field goal attempt hit the right upright and was no good.

Houston had first-and-goal at the 8 early in the fourth quarter and Nico Collins was stopped a yard short of the goal line on a first-down catch. Chubb was stuffed for no gain and Stroud threw incompletions intended for Collins on the next two plays to leave the Texans empty-handed.

Houston took an early lead on Collins’ 29-yard TD catch. That score was set up when Stroud connected with Chubb for a 27-yard gain on a screen pass the play before.

The Buccaneers tied it at 7-all when Mayfield threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Miller on their first possession.

Emeka Egbuka had a 15-yard TD catch with about 10 minutes left in the first half to put Tampa Bay up 14-10. Egbuka, a rookie first-round draft pick, became the sixth player since the merger with three TD catches in his first two games.

Texans defensive end Danielle Hunter forced a fumble and had two sacks to give him 101 1/2 in his 10-year career.

Injuries

Tampa Bay OT Luke Goedeke left in the first quarter with a foot injury. … DE Calijah Kancey injured a pectoral muscle in the first half and didn’t return.

Up next

The Buccaneers host the New York Jets and the Texans visit the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.

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AP NFL: