Gang Green Nation
In the New York Jets’ third game of the 2025 season, on a brutally hot and humid late summer afternoon in Tampa, Florida, the Jets lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 29 – 27.
The first half saw the Jets fall behind big, as a Tyrod Taylor pick six with less than a minute left in the half put the Jets in a 20 – 6 hole at the half.
The Jets opened the third quarter on defense. They proceeded to give up a long, clock-chewing drive and the Buccaneers tacked on another field goal to take a 23 -6 lead with less than six minutes left in the third quarter. The third quarter ended with the score still Buccaneers 23, Jets 6.
Early in the fourth quarter the Jets put together a long drive ending in a Tyrod Taylor to Garrett Wilson touchdown pass to bring the Jets within 10 points at 23 – 13 with just over ten minutes to play.
The Buccaneers tacked on another field goal with a little more than six minutes to go to take a 13 point lead.
The Jets then went on a long drive and Tyrod Taylor found Allen Lazard in the endzone to make the game interesting and bring the Jets within a touchdown at 26 – 20 with 3:40 left in the game.
The Buccaneers drove deep into Jets territory, then set up for what would likely have been a game-ending field goal at the two minute mark. Will McDonald had other plans. McDonald blocked the kick, then returned it for a touchdown as the Jets took a one point lead at 27 – 26 with just under two minutes left in the game. Now the Jets defense just had to hold the Buccaneers on one last drive to secure the win. Alas, it was not to be. Baker Mayfield led the Buccaneers on a drive culminating in a game-winning field goal as time expired. Final score Buccaneers 29, Jets 27.
The loss brings the Jets’ record to 0-3 to start the 2025 season. Now the Jets move on to preparing for a road game against the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football next week.
