The Bucs‘ defense was a mixed bag of results in 2024, in part due to the injury bug causing issues, and the lack of consistency in their pass defense. The secondary lacked playmakers, the pass rush struggled, and as a result, the defense was a major liability for the team. The defense and their lack of stopping power were on full display against the Washington Commanders in the playoffs.
Fast forward a few months to the present day, the Bucs defense looked much different in Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons. Not only did they play with more aggression, but they played with an efficiency we haven’t seen in a few seasons.
In Week 2, this defense will be facing off against the Houston Texans, who are coming off an opening week in which they scored just nine points and totaled 265 yards. The offensive line for Houston struggled to protect C.J. Stroud, especially on the interior, and that was before they lost their starting center. Now, they are down an established starter, which means Calijah Kancey and Vita Vea could be set up for success.
The secondary is also poised for a big game as safety Antoine Winfield Jr. showed when he is lined up in the back end of things, the entire unit just steps up their game. All of that leads me to my point of, yes, you should absolutely start the Bucs defense in Week 2 against the Texans in fantasy football.