An inside take a look at Sunday’s Jets-Buccaneers NFL Week 3 matchup at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla:
Marquee matchup
Buccaneers WR Mike Evans vs. Jets CB Sauce Gardner
Gardner began off the season with a very sturdy efficiency in opposition to the Steelers however adopted that up with a shakier one in opposition to the Payments.
Now, he faces probably the most constant receivers in soccer with Evans.
Evans has posted not less than 1,000 receiving yards in 11 consecutive seasons.
The 32-year-old has caught 5 passes in every of the Bucs’ first two video games however has but to attain a landing this season.
Gardner, who adopted Steelers star DK Metcalf in Week 1, ought to see loads of Evans this week.
“I imply, he’s been within the league for a minute. You understand what I’m saying? I used to observe him again then. So, you understand, it’s only a nice alternative for me to have the ability to go in opposition to someone like him,” Gardner mentioned. “However, yeah, he’s been doing it for a minute at a excessive degree, too. So, you understand, I’m trying ahead to that.”
The Jets additionally want to fret about rookie WR Emeka Egbuka, who has three landing receptions already.
Brandon Stephens figures to be the nook who sees extra of Egbuka or Michael Carter II if Egbuka strains up within the slot.
Nonetheless, there’s a likelihood Egbuka doesn’t play after being listed as questionable.
4 downs
Woe and three: The Jets are attempting to keep away from their first 0-3 begin since 2021.
The constructive vibes after an in depth loss to the Steelers to open the season turned bitter after the blowout loss to the Payments.
Although most followers didn’t have excessive expectations for this staff, the best way the misplaced final week was jarring.
However coach Aaron Glenn mentioned the staff is undeterred.
“Our guys are upbeat. They’re motivated,” Glenn mentioned. “Right here’s what they do know: It was Week 2, and the sky’s not falling. As a lot as all of us suppose it’s, as a lot as all the surface noise, as a lot as [reporters] write about that, the sky’s not falling. I’ve been part of that scenario earlier than, so our guys can depend on that. Loads of our coaches have been part of that scenario earlier than, and so they can depend on that, and a few of these gamers have, too. So, guys we’re trying ahead to shifting on, 0-2, the sky’s not falling.”
Wrath of Todd: This might be Todd Bowles’ first sport as a head coach in opposition to the Jets, his former staff. Bowles coached the Jets from 2015-18 and led them to their most up-to-date profitable season in 2015, when the staff went 10-6.
Bowles confronted the Jets and beat them in 2021 because the Buccaneers defensive coordinator.
Bowles coached Glenn as an assistant with the Jets and the Cowboys, and Glenn known as this sport “private” due to how shut they’re.
“I’d acknowledge that he’s a very good pal, at the beginning,” Glenn mentioned. “After which again that up with how good of a coach he’s. Very educated. I’ve had loads of alternatives on the mix, different place, to sit down with him and simply speak soccer. And he’s one of many coaches that he doesn’t maintain something again with regards to data.”
Harm line: The Buccaneers might be lacking three beginning offensive linemen on this one.
LT Tristan Wirfs remains to be recovering from a knee damage and has not performed but this season.
RT Luke Goedeke (foot) and RG Cody Mauch (knee) had been injured final week and at the moment are on injured reserve.
On paper, this must be an enormous benefit for the Jets defensive position, which has a big damage of its personal with DE Jermaine Johnson (ankle) out.
The Jets ought to be capable to get strain on QB Baker Mayfield in opposition to so many backups.
One thing has to present: The Jets have zero takeaways by means of two video games and the Buccaneers have zero giveaways.
The Jets protection desperately must discover a technique to create some turnovers to assist an offense that struggled final week and now has a backup quarterback.
Mayfield has thrown 5 landing passes and no interceptions within the first two video games of the 12 months.
“Right here is one factor I do know with regards to takeaways, everyone knows, all of us hear it, and all of us say it, that they arrive in bunches,” Glenn mentioned. “It’s simply we’ve to get that first one, and I do consider as soon as we get that first one, they are going to come after that. And our guys, they’re working their ass off to get them.”
Costello’s name
The Jets have performed one sturdy sport and one sloppy one, and so they’ve misplaced each.
I believe it is a powerful sport, taking part in in muggy Florida in Tampa Bay’s residence opener in opposition to a scorching QB in Baker Mayfield and a motivated Todd Bowles. This one will get ugly.
Bucs 34, Jets 13
