The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will host the New York Jets on Sunday, September 21 in their home opener. The Bucs will be celebrating their 50th season throughout the 2025 campaign, including the return of the 1976 uniform on Sunday. Tampa Bay will look to start the season 3-0 for the fifth time in team history and the first since 2005. The Bucs are one of only two teams to be 2-0 with a pair of road wins this season, along with the San Francisco 49ers. After an exhilarating 20-19 win in prime-time against the Houston Texans, the Bucs will take the field without some key players due to injuries, including tackle Luke Goedeke, defensive lineman Calijah Kancey and guard Cody Mauch. Meanwhile, the Jets are 0-2 and are reeling from a 30-10 loss to the Bills, where Justin Fields suffered a concussion in the fourth quarter. As kickoff nears, here are five Buccaneers to keep an eye on:
Rachaad White
Against the Texans, Rachaad White accumulated 10 carries for 65 yards (6.5) and the game-winning two-yard touchdown rush on Monday night. White's 6.5 yards per rush was his fourth-highest average in a game with 10-or-more carries. With his touchdown, White tied Leonard Fournette and Reggie Cobb (22) for the seventh-most touchdowns from scrimmage by a running back in franchise history. He played with physicality and pushed the pile on dirty runs through the tackles. White helped spark the run game to complement Bucky Irving and on Sunday, he will face the Jets' 24th-ranked run defense (138.5) and will look to exploit the unit. White is a patient runner and is a natural in the open field. He can stack cuts and runs with good contact balance. White can adjust to make catches out of the backfield and is proficient in pass protection as an extension of the offensive line.
Greg Gaines
The Bucs placed Calijah Kancey on injured reserve and Greg Gaines will likely see an increase in snaps against the Jets. The veteran took down C.J. Stroud on a bull rush for an eight-yard loss against the Texans during Monday Night Football. He became a key cog in limiting the run game of opposing teams in 2024 and became a fixture in limiting offenses during goal-line situations. Gaines totaled 395 snaps in 2024 and he will play a crucial role in trying to limit Breece Hall on Sunday. Hall leads the Jets in rushing yards with 136 and possesses the ability to absorb contact and stay on his feet with outstanding balance. He makes cuts without losing speed or momentum and Tampa Bay will have to be disciplined in rush lanes in facing the unpredictable runner on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.
Mike Evans
Mike Evans has drawn coverage through the first two weeks of the 2025 slate, which has opened up one-on-one opportunities for rookie Emeka Egbuka. Evans caught five passes for 56 yards against Houston and the future Hall of Fame receiver has a knack for generating separation with long-striding speed and late subtle maneuvers on routes. The high-point specialist will likely be shadowed by the Jets' top corner, Sauce Gardner. Gardner covered Pittsburgh's top receiver, DK Metcalf, in Week One and Metcalf was targeted three times and recorded just one catch. Gardner, a first-team Associated Press All-Pro in each of his first two seasons after being drafted fourth overall in 2022, is a long corner with sticky hands. He looks to jam throughout the release and has good hip fluidity to stay connected to routes. Gardner attacks passing lanes from off coverage and this will be a battle to watch on Sunday.
Tristan Wirfs or Graham Barton
It remains to be seen who the starter will be at left tackle on Sunday. The Bucs are hopeful that Tristan Wirfs will return to action soon, potentially against the Jets. He continues the ramp-up process and necessary steps to suit up, which would bolster the team's protection of Baker Mayfield. Last season, Wirfs allowed the second-lowest pressure rate (4.7%) of all NFL left tackles and is quick out of his stance with rare athleticism. He pairs lateral quickness with a well-timed punch, anchoring the line in Tampa Bay. If Wirfs is not ready to return, the job will likely remain with Graham Barton, a 2024 first-round pick who has made the switch from center to left tackle in Wirfs' absence. Whoever plays will face the Jets' Will McDonald IV. He leads the Jets through two games with 2.0 sacks and is coming off a standout 10.5-sack season in 2024. McDonald nabbed 24 quarterback hits last season and gains an advantage at the top of his rush with explosion. He fires off the line and has change-of-direction quickness to pair with an elite spin move.
Jacob Parrish
Jets' No.1 receiver Garrett Wilson lines up all along the line of scrimmage, including 37% wide left, 29% wide right and 38% in the slot. Wilson leads New York in receptions (11) and receiving yards (145), while his contested-catch ability, slippery talent after the catch and speed variations inside routes set him apart in the Jets' offense. Jacob Parrish, the Bucs' nickel corner, will likely be lined up against Wilson at some point, along with Zyon McCollum and Jamel Dean. Parrish, the Bucs' third-round pick, made a splash throughout the preseason with multiple pass breakups and he has made his presence felt in the regular season with his hard hits and ability to disrupt the catch space. He combines short-area burst with physicality to slow releases from press coverage. With great closing burst and route recognition, Parrish will look to shutdown one of the Jets' top playmakers on Sunday.
