WHEN: 12:00 p.m. CT
WHERE: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Fla.
FORECAST: Partly cloudy, 73 degrees, 11 mph winds
FOLLOW: @therealmarklane, @averydduncan
LISTEN: Sports Radio 610 [KILT-AM] and 100.3 The Bull [KLOL]
WATCH: NFL Network (Rich Eisen, Nate Burleson, Joe Thomas)
10: deshaun watson’s rank for interceptions
The former 2017 first-round pick has thrown 11 interceptions on the year, tied with Dak Prescott, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Daniel Jones for the 10th-most in the NFL. Watson threw two the week prior in Tennessee. To win the game, Watson will have to cut back on his giveaways and give the Texans every possible chance to convert drives into points.
9: carlos hyde’s rank for rushing yards among running backs
The 29-year-old has produced 1,030 rushing yards on the season, good for ninth-best among running backs in 2019. If Hyde can find a way to get going against the Buccaneers, it will melt clock and churn yards for the offense and put added pressure on Jameis Winston’s arm to win the game for Tampa Bay. Getting the run game going will also give Houston a diverse attack so that Deshaun Watson can’t be keyed on.
8: houston’s interceptions
The Texans are tied for the fifth-lowest interceptions in the NFL with eight. If they play to that number against the Buccaneers, when Jameis Winston is leading the NFL with 24 picks, it could be a shootout. The Texans defense has to find ways to generate free possessions for the offense, build an insurmountable lead, and force Winston and the Bucs to spend all game clawing their way back.
7: deandre hopkins’ receptions per game
The two-time All-Pro catches 7.1 passes per game, good for second-most in the NFL. Defenses know it’s going to Hopkins, but they still can’t stop him. Houston will have to find a way to get him involved as he will be going against one of the season’s best corners in Carlton Davis.
6: houston’s rank for yards per carry surrendered
The Texans defense is tied with Seattle, San Francisco, Green Bay, and Miami for the sixth-highest yards per carry surrendered in the league at 4.6. If the Buccaneers want to provide an effective complement opposite of Jameis Winston’s arm, they can do so in the run game.
5: deshaun watson’s rank for touchdown passes
The two-time Pro Bowl quarterback has thrown 26 touchdown passes on the season, good for fifth-most in the NFL. Watson will have to be on the top of his game against the Buccaneers as Jameis Winston does have the arm to beat teams. They aren’t 7-7 for no reason. If Watson has a bad game, it could be a long day for Houston and maybe an even longer week as they would need Week 17 to clinch the division.
4: jameis winston’s interception percentage
The Pro Bowl quarterback has an interception percentage of 4.3%, the highest in the NFL. Basically, over 4% of his throws are interceptions. The Texans defense will have to be on the lookout and have their hands ready to grab any errant passes. They can’t afford to have opportunities slip.
3: the bucs’ defense’s yards per carry surrendered
The Tampa Bay defense gives up 3.4 yards per carry, good for second-lowest in the NFL. It is a good thing Carlos Hyde broke the 1,000-yard mark the week prior in Tennessee as it will be tough sledding against the Buccaneers Saturday.
2: jameis winston’s rank for touchdown passes
Winston can burn you, too. The former 2015 first-round pick from Florida State has thrown 30 touchdown passes on the season, good for second-most in the NFL. Only Lamar Jackson has thrown more with 33. With inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney out, Winston could have more of the middle of the field available.
1: wins to clinch afc south
All the Texans have to do is take down the Bucs and the division is theirs. No need to beat the Tennessee Titans in Week 17, although it would be an added boost going into the wild-card round to go 5-1 in the division. However, they can get it all done with a win in Tampa.