Bucs Nation
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 2-0, they’ve paid a steep price to stack those two wins but they are stacked. On Sunday, what’s in Tampa’s way of 3-0? An 0-2 Jets team. The Jets have had two extremely different contests to date. In week one, the NYJ looked alive for the first time in years. Without a throwback performance by Aaron Rodgers the team likely walks away with a win. Last week, the Jets looked like the Jets. Aaron Glenn’s group was trounced by the Buffalo Bills, 30-10. Tampa Bay’s matchup with the Jets is set to be different than either contest so far simply because there will be no Justin Fields– Tyrod Taylor is scheduled to take the reins. Based on Fields’ week two showing, Taylor may actually be an upgrade. The Bucs’ side of the coin features their first home game of the season, a game in which Tampa will be donning new uniforms and will likely feel pressure to put fourth a good display— How can Tampa Bay reach 3-0?
The Buccaneers need to do one thing to defeat the Jets this Sunday– Avoid playing down to their competition. The Tampa Bay Bucs are by far the better and more talented team. This current versions of the New York Jets is not in the same class when it comes to roster, coaching experience, or team-wide expectations. For the Buccaneers, a loss to the Jets would be more than disappointing it would be indicative of them taking a team lightly— Not bringing their ‘A’ game.
The Jets’ roster is not nearly as barren as it has been in past seasons and the 2025 edition of the J-E-T-S is a team that has garnered optimism recently. Offensively, Garrett Wilson has proven himself to be a quality wide receiver and Breece Hall looks like he may be back closer to his pre-injury form. On defense, the Jets’ front seven has inconsistencies, but jumbled in those inconsistencies the team does have skill. Against a mixed-up medley of an offensive line, like the Bucs are currently working with, they can game-wreck. Mike Evans, who has just 107 yards on the season so far, will find himself in his third consecutive tough matchup of the year. A.J. Terrell Jr., Derek Stingley Jr., and now Sauce Gardner.
Even still, the Jets at their best cannot match Tampa Bay at their peak. The Bucs are the more talented and experienced team by a landslide. They simply must play up to their own potential and a 3-0 start is assured.
Offensive line injuries. The Buccaneers have found themselves in the unfortunate (all too familiar) position of dealing with major injuries. Tampa Bay’s 2025 plague of injuries has wiped its way through the team’s offensive line, ravaging the group down to spare parts.
What would have been viewed at as a strength heading into the season has easily become one of the Buccaneers’ largest liabilities....
