Zyon McCollum: Houston’s Offense Will Be Sharp
September 15th, 2025
Aware of night game struggles.
Don’t tell cornerback Zyon McCollum that the Bucs defense has an easy edge tonight.
The Texans’ offensive line is beat up. In fact, Vita Vea is expected to face a backup tonight. Also, Texans tight end Cade Stover had surgery this past week on his foot. Houston is down receivers, too.
So just looking at the backups playing, that should give the Bucs’ veteran front-five an easy edge, right?
McCollum isn’t buying it. Last week, McCollum noted that in his experience, when teams lose Week 1, their offenses come out crisp in a Week 2 game.
“Teams who hit blunders in the first week, you know that in week two that is all they are thinking about,” McCollum said. “They are thinking about starting fast, getting back into it and getting back on track. So, we know we are going to get the Texans best.
“They have a bunch of leaders over there — defensively and on offense with C.J. Stroud, who is going to make sure that he is holding everybody accountable. We have to take that and not get comfortable at all. We need to go into their place and get that playoff atmosphere.”
Also, the Bucs’ recent sorry record the past couple of years playing under the lights is a hurdle. The Bucs are 1-6 in night games the past two seasons, including the playoffs. That is certainly on McCollum’s mind. He wants to start a more positive trend.
“Monday Night [Football], which has a history of us not being able to show up when the bright lights are on,” McCollum said. “This is the perfect opportunity in a new year and new team to kind of set the tone in that aspect.”
Well, the best way to win this game is to take advantage of the beat-up offensive front of the Dixie Chicks and put Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud on the turf. Several times. in fact.
With the Bucs’ weapons and another tight(?) defensive game, the Bucs ought to be in good shape in the fourth quarter.
September 15th, 2025 at 9:08 am
2-0!!!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!
September 15th, 2025 at 9:20 am
Catch the ball , Zion
September 15th, 2025 at 9:22 am
Point A, I think Joe meant to say the Texans, not the Dixie Chicks. Secondly, although this is Monday night football, the game starts at 7:00 ET, which will be 5:00 in Texas. So, the first half should feel like an afternoon game. Hopefully, the Bucs get things going and jump out to an early lead. Then they just need to hold on during the second half, which will be dark. I think they break the jinx tonight!
September 15th, 2025 at 9:31 am
@PSL Bob *6:00 pm
September 15th, 2025 at 9:59 am
Rover, my bad!
September 15th, 2025 at 10:01 am
The Bucs D hasn’t had an easy game in 20 years.
September 15th, 2025 at 10:01 am
6 central 5 mountain n 4 Pacific ^
September 15th, 2025 at 10:16 am
1:00 pm in Hawai’i 🤙🏾👊🏾 go Bucs
September 15th, 2025 at 10:24 am
PSL Bob.
You’d be correct if they were the El Paso Texans. LOL
Though Sun Bowl Stadium is pretty cool, built into the side of the mountain and everything, at 46K capacity, a little shrimpy for an NFL team. Plus, Houston’s a shorter flight for us. 👍
I loved it when the Bucs finally won their under 40° game after decades of an ability to do so. We just have to get that monkey off our back and win some night games. We need to win all four late games this year… and they’re all winnable though it does suck that three of the four are on the road. What’s up with that? If we win the Rams game… at night (sort of, it will be like a 5:30 game over there) on the Pacific coast… that will quiet some critics.
September 15th, 2025 at 10:25 am
Sounds like a winner’s attitude to me.
September 15th, 2025 at 10:28 am
Have Todd and Baker figured out their night game woes? I haven’t heard they will do anything different, so I’m expecting the same results. I still have PTSD from the rookie Stroud setting a record against our secondary a couple of years ago. It’s time for the front four pass rushers to show up, unlike in ATL game ( 1 sack). Maybe this time around, it will be Bake with the late game winning TD, not Stroud. LFG!
September 15th, 2025 at 10:35 am
Both defensive lines are looking at a beat up offensive line. Need to get Bucky going.
September 15th, 2025 at 10:35 am
Most of the NFL columnists are picking the Texans. A Bucs win tonight will define whether they are a legitimate contender.
A performance like they did in Atlanta will not cut it against the Texans who will be fighting desperately for their first win.
Whoever plays with abandonment will come out the winner. The so called NFL evaluators need to be silenced 🔕 with a Bucs statement win.
GO BUCS!!!
September 15th, 2025 at 10:52 am
If Bucs lose will they still lead division because they beat the Chicks?
September 15th, 2025 at 10:57 am
Grover, yes, we would be essentially a half game up on them.
September 15th, 2025 at 11:01 am
You know it is bad when your players are talking about how bad you do on night games
September 15th, 2025 at 11:31 am
Bucs are the better team but they’re not dialed in.
Houston is at home on primetime.
It’s going to be a tough battle.
September 15th, 2025 at 11:46 am
This is genius in action. Zyon said the right things there. So, The Genius will set out to prove him right and play a lot of soft off, with Reddick 40 yards deep off the ball. CJ Stroud and the banged up Texans offense will never look sharper.
September 15th, 2025 at 11:57 am
Remember how Bucs approached scoring on the initial drive and seemed to make it a goal to break that dismal streak they had going. Well they need to make a goal to win every night game including the Superbowl this year. It can be done, make it a goal just like they did with the 1st possession last year.
September 15th, 2025 at 11:57 am
They won two night games in the preseason, ………..CURSE OVER!!!!🤪🤪🤪
September 15th, 2025 at 12:05 pm
exactly Tampabaybucfan, the secondary has to come up with picks tonight. Zion can’t fumble away opportunities.
Dean can’t be falling down either. lol.