The Tampa Bay Buccaneers started their season with a thrilling victory, and now they take that momentum into Houston for a meeting with the Texans on the national stage. As the first of two Monday Night Football matchups to close out Week 2, all eyes fall upon this team in the early window at 7 p.m. EST in a clash between playoff-caliber squads. Will Baker Mayfield lead Tampa Bay to a victory, or will Houston’s defense prove too much to handle?
Here are the best Baker Mayfield prop bets for Buccaneers at Texans on Monday Night Football to close Week 2.
Best Baker Mayfield prop bets on DraftKings Sportsbook
Baker Mayfield led the Buccaneers to a playoff berth in 2024 with a career-best campaign in which he threw for over 4,000 yards and 41 touchdowns. It’s clear to see that despite his gunslinger-happy ways, the veteran belongs among the top 10 or so talents at his position around the NFL. With a couple of standout pass catchers in Mike Evans and Emeka Egbuka, a complimentary tight end with Cade Otton and a halfback who’s deadly after the catch in Bucky Irving, Mayfield has all the pieces to put up numbers again this year.
However, he faces two challenges tonight. First off, the Buccaneers are still working to replace former offensive coordinator Liam Coen, and the offense posted just 260 total yards in Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons. Tampa Bay ran 56 plays but were dominated in time of possession by margin over 10 minutes, and the offense didn’t totally click as they adjust to their new offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard’s tendencies. Mayfield himself completed just 17-of-32 attempts for 167 yards to open the season, though he tossed three touchdowns without an interception.
The other issue tonight is the matchup against the Texans’ defense. Houston boasts one of the league’s elite units with a deep pass rush headlined by Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, as well as a star cornerback duo of All-Pro Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter. Matthew Stafford did throw for 245 yards against the Texans last week, but this team ranked sixth in passing yards allowed per game last year at just 200.3. With the playmaking talent Houston deploys on that side of the ball, Mayfield’s targets may struggle to get open as he deals with defenders in the backfield throughout the night, especially with offensive lineman Tristan Wirfs rehabbing an injury.
While the Buccaneers are always a threat to put up points and Egbuka burst onto the scene with a strong performance last week, this defense could get the better of Mayfield and his weapons tonight. Plus, NRG Stadium should be packed for the primetime game to create a hostile environment for the visitors. With that in mind, I’m targeting under 275.5 combined passing and rushing yards for Tampa Bay’s quarterback on Monday Night Football with the assumption that the offense struggles to put up yardage for the second straight week.
Best Bet: Baker Mayfield under 257.5 pass + rush yards (-113)
