New hope gave way to familiar heartbreak in the 2021-22 MetLife Stadium finale
- New York Jets 24 (4-12)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers 28 (12-4)
- NFL, Week 17, Box Score
- MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
An afternoon full of hope—namely that of a good day from Zach Wilson—gave way to an all-too-familiar, heartbreaking ending.
Tom Brady capped off the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ biggest comeback of the 2021-22 NFL season, finding Cyril Grayson for a 33-yard touchdown with 15 seconds remaining, a score that erased a 14-point deficit en route to a 28-24 win over the Jets.
Brady, making his first appearance in East Rutherford as a member of the Buccaneers, earned his 30th win against the Jets this season. The Jets capped off their MetLife Stadium slate with a 3-6 record.
The Jets opened the game with a touchdown drive for the third consecutive contest and fourth time in the last five games. Mostly anchored by a 57-yard run from Michael Carter (who left after the run with a concussion), the drive ended with Braxton Berrios’ double-reverse score from one yard away.
https://twitter.com/GruntTalksNFL/status/1477708329262759955
A lil trickery for the @nyjets! Braxton Berrios for SIX. #TakeFlight
📺: #TBvsNYJ on FOX
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/SFmfRXaIHx— NFL (@NFL) January 2, 2022
True to his arguable GOAT form, Tom Brady was able to strike back immediately, going 75 yards in 13 plays, ending things with a four-yard score to Mike Evans.
Tom Brady. Mike Evans. Automatic TD! #GoBucs pic.twitter.com/ZiAt7FY8Jl
— TB EGO ✖️ (@TomBradyEgo) January 2, 2022
Wilson kept things rolling on a seven-minute drive the next time around, allowing Berrios to earn the first multi-touchdown game of his career with a nine-yard connection.
Braxton Berrios doing it all early for the Jets ✈️
1 Rushing TD
1 Rec TDJets up on the Bucs 👀
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/xpZAz2yQNo
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) January 2, 2022
Tampa was able to strike back on a Ryan Succop field and seemed poised to have another toward the end of the half, but a Brandin Echols interception (as well as Michael Carter II sack) allowed the Jets to get the ball back.
After a strong set-up between Wilson and Ty Johnson after Echols nearly took the ball to midfield, a 51-yard field goal from Eddy Pineiro gave the Jets a 17-10 lead at the halftime break.
Michael Carter II blitzes from the slot and gets the sack on Tom Brady 🙌pic.twitter.com/nJTUuQSdqk
— Jets Nation (@JetsNationCP) January 2, 2022
Brandin Echols picks off Tom Brady to deny the Bucs a scoring opportunity before halftime 🙌pic.twitter.com/BhqysmsNRa
— Jets Nation (@JetsNationCP) January 2, 2022
The second half, alas, was defined by further silliness from Buccaneers receiver Antonio Brown, who bizarrely removed his upper equipment and ran off to the Tampa locker room while a play was in progress. The embattled receiver was seen arguing with teammates before he excused himself from the affair.
Brown’s departure came shortly after Ty Johnson scored on a one-yard touchdown that extended the Jets’ lead to 24-10.
Another angle on what could be the end of Antonio Brown's NFL career, with Mike Evans trying to talk him out of it. https://t.co/cMgqeBTXVX
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 2, 2022
https://twitter.com/FieldYates/status/1477733508034568192
The Jets extend their lead over the Bucs 👀@NFL | #TakeFlightpic.twitter.com/Ywl8jcBsmM
— FanSided (@FanSided) January 2, 2022
In what was perhaps no coincidence, the Buccaneers fought their way back into the game after Brown left, as Brady would find Cameron Brate for a four-yard touchdown that narrowed the gap to a single possession.
Tom Brady TD pass to Cameron Brate #GoBucs pic.twitter.com/FQ0wfEcnwU
— TB EGO ✖️ (@TomBradyEgo) January 2, 2022
With the Jets unable to generate much offensive traction over the latter half-hour of game time, another short Succop field goal afforded Brady and friends one last opportunity for a game-winning drive, albeit with no timeouts to work with.
In a harsh kick-back to reality for Jets fans, it took Brady only 117 seconds of game time to waltz 93 yards for the game-winning score, with the nine-play drive capped off by a 33-yard score to Grayson, allowing him to secure his 30th victory over the Jets.
The Jets had a chance to swipe the victory back minutes before but failed to convert a two-yard fourth down deep in Buccaneers territory.
Tom Brady with the game-wining touchdown to Cyril Grayson! #GoBucs @FPC_Buccaneers pic.twitter.com/3swZOmSizR
— Full Press NFL (@FullPressNFL) January 2, 2022
The Jets will wrap up their 2021-22 season next Sunday afternoon against the Buffalo Bills (1 p.m. ET, CBS).
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
