Buccaneers aim for 3-0 start against Jets in Week 3 clash
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are set to pursue a perfect start to their season as they prepare to host the struggling New York Jets in Week 3 at Raymond James Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 PM on Sunday, and with a current record of 2-0, Tampa Bay is looking to maintain its momentum. Meanwhile, the Jets find themselves in a challenging position at 0-2 after losing both of their opening games.
Historical Context of the Matchup
Historically, the Jets have held the upper hand in this matchup, boasting a 10-3 all-time series lead. However, recent encounters have favored the Buccaneers, who have emerged victorious in the last two meetings, including a narrow 28-24 win in 2021. Notably, the Jets will be without their starting quarterback, Justin Fields, while Tampa Bay continues to navigate a series of injuries along its offensive line.
Current Odds and Expert Predictions
Despite the injury concerns, oddsmakers have installed the Buccaneers as seven-point favorites at home. This sentiment is echoed by many national analysts, who are leaning heavily towards Tampa Bay for this matchup.
NFL.com highlights the intriguing narrative of Todd Bowles facing his former team, the Jets, while also going up against one of his former players, Aaron Glenn. This layer of familiarity adds a unique subplot to the game. The Buccaneers are on the hunt for a 3-0 start, something they haven’t achieved in the last four seasons despite winning their first two games in each of those years. The absence of Jets QB Justin Fields, who is sidelined due to a concussion, further tilts the odds in favor of Tampa Bay. While Tyrod Taylor brings veteran experience as a potential starter, Bowles’ defense is well-equipped to capitalize on the situation.
CBS Sports reinforces this perspective, asserting that the Jets’ 0-2 record, combined with their defensive struggles and Fields’ unavailability, makes it difficult to foresee a victory. Baker Mayfield’s leadership and the Buccaneers’ running game are expected to overpower the Jets’ defense.
Analysts Weigh In
ESPN analysts, previously divided on Tampa Bay’s prospects, are now unified in their support for the Buccaneers. With a seven-point spread favoring Tampa Bay, most expect them to cover.
Conversely, USA Today’s experts presented a split view, with some advocating for Tyrod Taylor’s experience potentially keeping the Jets competitive, while others trust Tampa Bay’s defensive line to disrupt New York’s offensive efforts. This division resulted in a 3-3 split among their analysts.
In contrast, Bleacher Report found a majority of its analysts leaning towards the Buccaneers, with five out of seven backing them against the spread. Their confidence stems from the combination of Tampa Bay’s solid defense and Mayfield’s efficient performance, despite the offensive line’s injury woes.
NBC Sports also mirrored this sentiment, with both Chris Simms and Mike Florio confidently predicting a Buccaneers victory. Florio foresees a 24-13 scoreline, while Simms predicts a closer 28-20 finish in favor of Tampa Bay.
Final Thoughts on the Upcoming Game
The Buccaneers are on a short week but are expected to test the Jets’ defense under the guidance of Baker Mayfield. With Justin Fields out, the Jets will rely on Tyrod Taylor to provide adequate run support. Historical trends suggest that the last three meetings between these teams have been decided by a mere ten points, indicating that the outcome could be closer than anticipated.
As the Buccaneers prepare to take the field, the stakes are high for both teams, with Tampa Bay looking to solidify its status as a contender while the Jets search for their first win of the season.
