Gang Green Nation
The Jets are trying to avoid an 0-3 start, but they face a tough test against Todd Bowles and the 2-0 Bucs in their first road game of the year. The last meeting between these teams featured a late blown lead by the Jets after Zach Wilson went rogue and tried a quarterback sneak as the Jets looked to clinch the game on fourth down. However, it was best remembered for Antonio Brown quitting midgame and frolicking shirtless in the end zone as he left the field. Will Sunday be similarly memorable?
Let’s break down the Bucs’ roster going position by position:
Quarterbacks
Baker Mayfield passed for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns last season as he led the Bucs to a 10-7 record and made his first postseason appearance. He’s averaging under 200 passing yards per game so far this season though.
Although he’s been efficient so far this year with five touchdowns and no interceptions, Mayfield led the NFL with 16 interceptions last season. The Jets, who have yet to force a turnover yet this season, will hope to put him under pressure and force mistakes.
The backup is the freshly unretired Teddy Bridgewater, who has only started two games since 2021 and last threw an NFL pass three years ago.
Offensive Line
The Bucs returned all five starters, each of whom played over 950 snaps last season. However, that continuity has gone up in smoke.
They suffered a major blow during the week as they lost the right side of the line with right tackle Luke Goedeke and right guard Cody Mauch both suffering season ending injuries. These are both big losses as Goedeke recently signed a big money extension and Mauch, who actually finished Monday night’s game, was a recent second round pick.
On Monday, Charlie Heck replaced Goedeke and is now listed as the new starter at right tackle. Elijah Klein, who was a sixth round pick last season, has been listed as the new starting right guard and will make his first NFL start against the Jets.
Compounding matters, they were also without pro bowl left tackle Tristan Wirfs for the first two games, so starting center Graham Barton has been forced to move to left tackle. Wirfs returned to practice on a limited basis this week but has been ruled out from playing on Sunday.
With Barton at left tackle, veteran Ben Bredeson – listed as the starting left guard – has been filling in at center. So, who is the left guard? In the first two games they elevated Michael Jordan off the practice squad to play there, although he’s not 100 percent either.
Bredeson and Barton, who had a team-high 13 penalties, had mixed fortunes last season.
The most familiar name on the bench is ex-Jet Dan Feeney, but he was only signed this week. The other reserves lack experience as Luke Haggard was just signed from the practice squad and Benjamin Chukwuma is an undrafted rookie.
Running Backs
Bucky Irving rushed...
