NFL viewers accuse Troy Aikman of confusing Buccaneers backs during late thriller

Tampa Bay’s 20-19 victory over the Houston Texans on Monday night was followed by a different kind of postgame conversation: viewers accused ESPN analyst Troy Aikman of repeatedly mixing up Buccaneers running backs Bucky Irving and Rachaad White during the broadcast.

The two backs each played key roles in the comeback win, with White powering in the game-winning touchdown on a six-second rushing play and Irving contributing 120 yards combined rushing and receiving. Baker Mayfield completed 215 yards and two touchdown passes as Tampa Bay improved to 2-0, while the Texans fell to 0-2 after the home defeat.

Fans took to X to voice frustration, posting comments such as “Troy Aikman has no idea that Bucky Irving and Rachaad White are different people,” and “Anyone have the over/under on how many times Troy Aikman was gonna call Rachaad White ‘Bucky Irving?’” Another user wrote that Aikman had “confused Bucky Irving and Rachaad White all night.” The remarks circulated widely as highlights and replay clips of late-game action spread on social media.

The two players wear similar-looking single-digit numbers—White is No. 1 and Irving is No. 7—and both were on the field in critical moments of the Buccaneers’ final drive. White, listed at 214 pounds, finished with 65 rushing yards and the decisive score on the 11-play, 80-yard drive that culminated with six seconds remaining. Tampa Bay then attempted a two-point conversion that failed, leaving the final margin at one point.

Irving, smaller at 195 pounds, was a consistent offensive contributor throughout the game, totaling 120 yards between rushing and receiving and helping sustain drives that set up the late scoring opportunity. Both backs splitting snaps and touches is part of Tampa Bay’s backfield rotation early in the season.

Aikman, the former Cowboys quarterback who is part of ESPN’s lead NFL team, has been a regular voice on Monday Night Football and other league coverage. Broadcasters occasionally are criticized for on-air miscues, and this instance drew particular attention because both players were prominently involved in the decisive sequence.

The Buccaneers now head to New York for a matchup with the Jets next week. The Texans will seek their first win of the season as they regroup after consecutive losses.

The exchange on social platforms underlined how closely viewers scrutinize national broadcasts, particularly in close games. The play-by-play and commentary are commonly replayed and dissected online in real time, amplifying viewers’ reactions to on-air errors or perceived confusion.

Tampa Bay’s victory kept the early-season momentum for the Buccaneers intact, but the late-game mix-up became a dominant storyline in postgame discussion, rivaling analysis of the on-field results. ESPN did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the broadcast misidentification.