Baker Mayfield
Baker Mayfield completed 19-of-29 passes (65.6%) for 233 yards and one touchdown pass, compared to zero interceptions, to generate a 101.7 passer rating against the Jets. He added four carries for 44 yards, including a 33-yarder in which he juked multiple defenders like a running back. On the season, Mayfield has thrown for six touchdowns with zero interceptions, making him 1-of-3 players this season (also, Baltimore's Lamar Jackson and Buffalo's Josh Allen) to have at least five passing touchdowns without a single interception as of Sunday's 1:00 p.m. slate of games.
Through Sunday's 1:00 p.m. slate of games, Mayfield is 1-of-2 quarterbacks in the NFL (also, Indianapolis' Daniel Jones) to produce a passer rating of 98.0-or-higher in all three games this season. During Tampa Bay's last possession, Mayfield completed two passes for 47 yards and generated a 93.8 passer rating while leading Tampa Bay into scoring position. Since Mayfield joined the Buccaneers, he leads the NFL in passer rating (101.6), passing yards (571), and is tied for the league lead in passing touchdowns (five) with under two minutes remaining in regulation (min. 50 pass attempts). His late-game heroics continued for Tampa Bay as he willed the Bucs to victory. Mayfield was poised in the pocket and operated with precision, catapulting the Bucs to their third-straight win.
Jamel Dean
Jamel Dean intercepted New York quarterback Tyrod Taylor and returned it 55 yards for a touchdown, representing Tampa Bay's first pick six since Shaquil Barrett vs. Chicago on Sept. 17, 2023. It marked Dean's second career interception return for a touchdown, joining his 32-yard pick six of Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers on Oct. 18, 2020.
"He was scrambling around and then he actually threw the ball late, which gave me the green light, 'Ok, I have to get this.' I was more focused on catching the ball first and once I caught it and saw the green grass, I thought, 'Yeah, this is six,'" said Dean.
Dean put six on the board for Tampa Bay to extend the home team's advantage and displayed his top-end speed and acceleration after securing the pick.
Antoine Winfield Jr.
Antoine Winfield Jr. recorded his second quarterback hit of the season during the Jets' opening drive. Since 2020, Winfield leads all defensive backs with 27 quarterback hits. Winfield Jr. also forced the fumble on a strip sack of Tyrod Taylor during the Week Three matchup. Since 2020, Winfield is tied for first among defensive backs with 12 forced fumbles. His 18.0 sacks lead all defensive backs. Winfield is the first defensive back this season to record a game with multiple quarterback hits and multiple tackles for loss. He also finished the game with two tackles for loss, spurring the defensive effort at Raymond James Stadium. Winfield showcased his blitz prowess, effective angles to the ball against the run and pass, and instinctual play. He set the tone in the home opener.
