Some plays never make the highlight reel, yet they define everything. That was the case in Houston on Monday night. As the Buccaneers fought to stay unbeaten, Rachaad White made a decision that spoke louder than any touchdown. When Baker Mayfield lost the ball in the fourth quarter, White threw himself into the pile, diving on the loose football to save possession. He stayed down, clutching his ribs, as the stadium went quiet. Even after he returned to score the winner, fans couldn’t stop talking about that sacrifice.
The moment was caught on video by TSN Sports: “Rachaad White took a hit to the upper body/ribs area after diving on a loose ball. He’s visibly hurt.” That wasn’t just hustle; it was a game-saving play. If Houston had recovered, the outcome likely would have swung. Instead, White’s effort gave Tampa Bay one last chance.
His impressive numbers show how much he carried the offense. White finished with 10 carries for 65 yards and the decisive 2-yard touchdown with six seconds left, sealing the 20–19 win over Houston. Before that, he had already churned out 63 yards on nine runs, keeping drives alive while Mayfield struggled to find rhythm.
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Mayfield threw for 215 yards and two scores, but nearly cost Tampa Bay with the fumble. His one shining moment came late: a gutsy 15-yard scramble on fourth-and-10 that kept the game-winning drive alive. And White did the rest, powering over the line to finish the comeback.
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On the other hand, Houston didn’t fold easily. Nick Chubb broke free for a 25-yard touchdown to put the Texans ahead 19–14 with just over two minutes left. Rookie Jaylin Noel‘s 53-yard punt return set them up again. And Riley Dixon’s blocked punt gave Houston the ball inside Tampa’s 35. Still, the Bucs’ defense stood tall, and White’s touchdown became the final word. That kind of finish doesn’t happen often. In fact, the last time a team pulled off back-to-back road wins with a game-winning touchdown in the final minute of the fourth quarter was all the way back in October of 1999, when the Dolphins did it on the 10th and the 17th.
The victory pushed Tampa Bay to 2–0 for the fifth straight season. It was even more impressive given they were missing both starting tackles, Tristan Wirfs and Luke Goedeke. With the line depleted and Mayfield under constant pressure, White became the piece that held it all together. Absolutely, Bucs teammates saw toughness. But, fans saw something more, and they made sure he knew it.
Fans react to Rachaad White’s heroics
One fan didn’t mince words: “Rachaad White basically just took a bullet for Baker.” It struck a nerve because it felt true. Mayfield’s fumble put White in danger, and it was the running back who absorbed the hit and saved the drive. Another was furious at the special teams blunder: “And the punt is blocked. Rachaad White should be allowed to beat Riley Dixon’s a– without anyone interfering.” The frustration was real. Dixon’s blocked punt gave Houston momentum, and once again, it was White’s effort that kept Tampa afloat.
Sympathy poured in from others as well. “Rachaad White put his body on the line for these people, and this is how they repay him,” one post read, a reminder of how often he’s been overlooked. Just months ago, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the team even viewed him as “expendable” after drafting rookie Bucky Irving. Anyway, the fans also praised his toughness. “Rachaad White is a warrior for that recovery effort,” wrote one supporter. The label fit. Even after taking a shot to the ribs, he returned for the final carry—the one that decided the game. For many, that touchdown wasn’t just a stat; it was payback.
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While another summed it up perfectly: “Rachaad White deserves that after throwing his body onto that loose ball earlier in the game. Great stuff.” The game-winner felt like justice. He risked his health to save his quarterback, then got the reward in the end zone. The Buccaneers survived thanks to Baker Mayfield’s final drive, but the story of the night belonged to Rachaad White. He threw his body on the line, saved the game, and then finished it. In the process, he won something bigger: the respect and sympathy of fans who saw exactly what it took.