The Buccaneers beat the Jets 29-27 as Chase McLaughlin hit a 36-yard field goal as time expired. Baker Mayfield completed 19 of 29 attempts for 233 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions. The Bucs advance to an undefeated 3-0 record in the 2025 campaign.
The Jets won the toss and elected to receive. Their first offensive possession culminated in a Nick Folk 38-yard field goal to give New York a 3-0 lead. A 25-yard gain by Bucky Irving off a screen on the Bucs' first offensive drive helped set up a Chase McLaughlin 54-yard field goal. Irving traversed the field following the catch for additional yardage. The Bucs were penalized seven times for 69 yards on their first possession, which halted momentum.
Folk hit a 42-yard field goal on the Jets' second drive and Tampa Bay followed suit with a touchdown. A one-handed catch and 30-yard gain by Emeka Egbuka down the sideline and a 16-yard gain by Sterling Shepard over the middle of the field helped set up the score. Shepard sat in the coverage void and moved the chains. Evans capped off the seven-play, 77-yard drive with a five-yard touchdown. Mayfield got Evans one-on-one and Evans utilized a lethal inside release to gain an advantage on the defensive back to give Tampa Bay a 10-6 lead. The defense followed up with a stop. Haason Reddick took down Braelon Allen for a loss of one in the backfield on fourth down to force a turnover on downs.
Just before the two-minute mark in the second quarter, Antoine Winfield Jr. recorded a strip sack on Tyrod Taylor for a loss of nine and Vita Vea recovered the football at the Jets' 33-yard line. The Bucs were unable to cash in with seven and McLaughlin drilled a 33-yard field goal to make it a 13-6 game. Rookie nickel corner Jacob Parrish blitzed off the right edge on the ensuing drive and took down Taylor for a loss of 10 to force the punt. Just before halftime, Jamel Dean intercepted Taylor's pass intended for Garrett Wilson at the 45-yard line and returned it for a touchdown to give Tampa Bay a 20-6 advantage. The play marked the team's first pick-six since 2023 and the first by a Bucs' defensive back since 2022 (Mike Edwards).
Tampa Bay's first drive out of the half culminated in a McLaughlin 28-yard field goal, providing the home team with a 23-6 lead. Early in the fourth quarter, the Jets capped off a 10-play, 80-yard drive with an 11-yard touchdown by Garrett Wilson. The Bucs followed up with a McLaughlin 55-yard field goal after an incompletion to Ryan Miller on third down. On the Jets' subsequent drive, both Yaya Diaby (loss of seven) and Lavonte David (loss of four) nabbed sacks on Taylor. Despite the momentum shifts, the Jets went for it on fourth down and Allen Lazard snagged a four-yard catch from Taylor in the end zone. The score was challenged but the play was upheld to trim the Jets' deficit, 26-20.
As the Bucs took over, Mayfield showed off his wheels once again on second down by staying in bounds for a 33-yard scramble – his longest since his rookie campaign. To end the drive, McLaughlin's 43-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Will McDonald and returned 50 yards for a Jets' touchdown, bringing them in the driver's seat, 27-26. As time expired, McLaughlin hit a 36-yard field goal to give the Bucs a 29-27 win.
TOP PERFORMERS 🏈
Buccaneers:
- Passing: QB Baker Mayfield: 19/29 for 233 yards - 1 TD
- Rushing: RB Bucky Irving: 25 att. for 66 yards
- Receiving: WR Emeka Egbuka: 6 rec. for 85 yards
- Defense: CB Jamel Dean: 1 total tackle, 1 INT, 1 TD
Jets:
- Passing: QB Tyrod Taylor: 26/36 for 197 yards - 2 TD & 1 INT
- Rushing: QB Tyrod Taylor: 8 att. for 48 yards
- Receiving: WR Garret Wilson: 10 rec. for 84 yards - 1 TD
- Defense: LB Jamien Sherwood: 11 total tackles
