A Monday Night Football twinbill kicks off at 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN and ABC tonight with Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers heading on the road to face the Houston Texans. Houston enters as a 2.5-point home favorite, while the total is set at 42.5.
My Buccaneers vs. Texans predictions expect heavy volume for Nico Collins and Dalton Schultz with injuries thinning Houston’s pass-catching depth.
Read on for my NFL picks for Monday, September 15.
Buccaneers vs Texans prediction
Buccaneers vs Texans Best bet: Dalton Schultz Over 37.5 receiving yards (-110)
Injuries could play a big role in Monday night’s matchup. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may be without both starting tackles —Tristan Wirfs (limited, but listed as doubtful) and Luke Goedeke (DNP Friday, questionable).
On the other side, the Houston Texans could be down starting center Jake Andrews, who’s dealing with a high-ankle sprain. Chris Godwin and Christian Kirk are also expected to miss the game.
Both teams struggled to run the ball in Week 1, and these injuries could push even more volume toward the passing game on both sides. One player who could benefit is Dalton Schultz—far from a headline name, but quietly in a great spot.
Schultz played 54% of snaps with a 60% route share in Week 1 against the Rams. He was splitting time with Cade Stover, a blocking-first tight end who significantly cut into his workload. But Stover is now out indefinitely with a fractured foot, clearing the way for a bigger role for Schultz.
That’s important because Houston’s secondary pass-catching options are underwhelming. After Nico Collins, the Texans rotated through Xavier Hutchinson (68% snap share), Justin Watson (56%), and rookies Jayden Higgins (43%) and Jaylin Noel (27%). Nick Chubb doesn’t offer much in the passing game either.
Schultz went 3/28/0 on five targets in Week 1, but with more routes and limited WR competition, he’s in line for a bump. I’m projecting six to seven targets, four to five catches, and 45+ receiving yards. The Bucs also gave up seven catches on eight targets to Kyle Pitts last week.
I’ve also played Schultz to score a touchdown at +240.
Buccaneers vs Texans same-game parlay for Monday Night Football
With key offensive linemen out on both sides and poor run production in Week 1, we could see a pass-heavy script in Houston—and the indoor setting only boosts efficiency and volume through the air.
Nico Collins is the clear WR1 and draws a Tampa Bay defense that let Drake London finish as the second-most targeted WR in Week 1. On the other side, Mike Evans led the Bucs in both air yards and targets, while rookie Emeka Egbuka turned four catches (two touchdowns) into 67 yards. Both will be heavily involved with Chris Godwin expected to be out again.
Dalton Schultz is set up to be the No. 2 option in the Texans’ passing game. With Christian Kirk out and the Texans now relying on RB2 Nick Chubb, this WR group is among the thinnest in the NFL. Schultz should see consistent usage in a game script that favors passing.
Buccaneers vs Texans SGP
- Nico Collins 70+ receiving yards
- Mike Evans 70+ receiving yards
- Emeka Egbuka 50+ receiving yards
- Dalton Schultz 40+ receiving yards
Our big-ticket SGP: All pass, no breaks
Bucky Irving had a 64% route share to Rachaad White's 12% and the latter might not be in the plans of this offense with Liam Coen off in Jacksonville. His every-down usage might rival some of the top dogs in the NFL this year.
Schultz should be a factor in the red zone, with Nick Chubb not the answer for the run game, and a plethora of inexperience and a lack of catching talent in the receiver group. The Stover injury should turn him into a big usage guy Monday night.
Buccaneers vs Texans SGP
- Bucky Irving 30+ receiving yards
- Bucky Irving TD
- Dalton Schultz 50+ receiving yards
- Dalton Schultz TD
Buccaneers vs Texans game predictions
Buccaneers vs Texans moneyline prediction
After last week’s zero-touchdown showing from Houston, it’s hard to feel confident backing this offense. It’s a unit that was predictable last season, now working under a new OC, and ranked 31st in offensive success rate in Week 1. Tampa Bay has better weapons, and its defense held the Falcons to the worst EPA per rush last week indoors in Atlanta.
If the Texans insist on a run-heavy approach, Stroud could be forced into long-yardage situations — and with this thin group of pass-catchers, that’s not a formula for success.
Buccaneers vs Texans spread prediction
I’m not laying -2.5 with Houston on Monday night. We saw in Week 1 that Tampa Bay’s offense can flip the switch quickly, and Houston isn’t built to win by a margin with another performance like last week. The Bucs’ offensive line injuries are a concern, but their skill-position depth helps offset that.
Houston, possibly down its starting center, could struggle again offensively. This line opened Texans -1.5 (lookahead), climbed to -2.5 Monday morning, briefly touched -3, and has held mostly steady at -2.5.
Buccaneers vs Texans Over/Under prediction
I love indoor Overs as much as anyone—but with injuries on both offensive lines and likely penalties or busted plays, I’m leaning Under 42.5. The total opened at 46.5 on the lookahead, re-opened at 44.5 on Sunday, and hit 42.5 by Monday night.
This game has grind-it-out potential. Lean Bucs +2.5 and Under 42.5.
Buccaneers vs Texans odds
- Spread: Tampa Bay +2.5 (-105) | Houston -2.5 (-115)
- Moneyline: Tampa Bay +125 | Houston -150
- Over/Under: Over 42.5 (-110) | Under 42.5 (-110)
Buccaneers vs Texans betting trend to know
The Texans have only hit the Over in six of their last 22 games (-10.60 Units / -44% ROI). Find more NFL betting trends for Buccaneers vs. Texans.
How to watch Buccaneers vs Texans
| Location | NRG Stadium, Houston, TX |
| Date | Monday, September 15, 2025 |
| Kickoff | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN and ABC |
Learn how to stream Buccaneers vs. Texans tonight.
More Buccaneers vs Texans predictions for Monday Night Football
- Buccaneers vs. Texans prop picks
- Buccaneers vs. Texans anytime touchdown scorer picks
- Buccaneers vs. Texans same game parlay picks
- Buccaneers vs. Texans computer picks
- C.J. Stroud prop picks
- Monday Night Football odds
Buccaneers vs Texans latest injuries
Buccaneers vs Texans weather
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