Top 3 matchups Jets must win to take down Buccaneers

The New York Jets are aware of the pressure facing them as they prepare to visit the 2-0 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

At 0-2, the start of the Aaron Glenn regime has gone sour quite quickly in Florham Park. While the team remains confident that it can turn those struggles around, the organization needs to go out and actually win games to make that a reality.

It starts in Florida this week. The Buccaneers are coming off two close road wins to start the season. While they remain a Super Bowl contender, they are pretty banged up going into Week 3.

There are three key matchups the Jets must win to seize the opportunity.

Joe Tippmann, Josh Myers, and John Simpson vs. Vita Vea

Buccaneers defensive tackle Calijah Kancey has been lost for the season. Because of that, Tampa Bay’s All-Pro nose tackle, Vita Vea, will be relied upon more throughout the regular season.

Vea has been a thorn in the side of some of the best offensive lines in the league. The veteran has a chance to make noise against New York’s young interior trio.

But with Kancey’s injury, Vea could see his snap count soar to new heights, causing him to lose steam quicker than usual. The 30-year-old is playing a career-high 76% of the Bucs’ defensive snaps. It’s on the Jets’ interior blockers to take advantage.

If Joe Tippmann, Josh Myers, and John Simpson can somehow keep Vea at bay, the Jets offense should be able to shoot through some running lanes. At the very least, the group has to perform much better in between the tackles than they did last week against Buffalo.

Brandon Stephens vs. Emeka Egbuka

It’s been a disaster for Brandon Stephens to begin his first season with the Jets. He’s been picked on a ton by opposing quarterbacks, and now has hustle concerns after some controversial plays in New York’s 30-10 loss to Buffalo.

With Sauce Gardner and Mike Evans expected to be the marquee matchup of the day, the more underrated showdown will be between first-round rookie Emeka Egbuka and Stephens.

Egbuka (eight catches for 96 yards and three touchdowns) has looked excellent in his first two starts of the season. Stephens has not. If the Jets’ corner can play at a competent level, New York should have a much better defensive outing than either the first two weeks.

If Stephens struggles again, it could be more of the same for Gang Green.

Tyrod Taylor vs. Todd Bowles

Justin Fields is in concussion protocol, which means Tyrod Taylor will get the start this week. His first start since 2023 will come against one of the NFL’s toughest defensive minds.

The Buccaneers have plenty of injuries on defense, but Bowles remains one of the best coaches in the league at disguising blitzes and making life miserable for opposing quarterbacks. New York’s 36-year-old veteran must find answers to Bowles’ blitzes, keeping the offense on schedule by avoiding sacks and turnovers.

In the Jets’ Week 2 loss to Buffalo, Fields took two sacks and lost a fumble on just 15 dropbacks. New York will not be able to take down Tampa Bay if Taylor yields similar results this week. Bowles will do everything in his power to make that happen, sending blitz after blitz, so the Jets’ experienced quarterback must be prepared.