Coming off a 30-10 blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 2, the New York Jets showed progress in their Week 3 matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but failed to break through, losing a nail-biting 29-27 game and dropping to 0-3 for the first time since 2021.

As starting quarterback Justin Fields was sidelined due to a concussion, backup Tyrod Taylor got the starting nod for the first time as a Jet, and looked sharp early, completing seven of 11 passes for 56 yards in the first quarter.

However, the momentum vanished in the second quarter, as he managed only nine yards through the air, took two sacks, one being a strip sack that set up Buccaneers points. Taylor proceeded to throw a pick-six right before halftime, widening the Jets’ deficit, sending Tampa Bay into the break with a 20-6 lead.

However, the signal-caller was under heavy pressure from the Buccaneers’ defense, facing pressure on 62% of his dropbacks in the first half. According to ESPN Research, that was the highest first-half rate of his career and ranked as the fourth-highest pressure rate in any half with at least two attempts.

Tampa Bay opened the second half with a drive all the way down to the Jets’ 10-yard line that ate up nearly 10 minutes of the third quarter, but New York’s defense managed to hold Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers to a field goal, which stretched the lead to three scores.

On third-and-12 near midfield, Taylor fired a strike to Tyler Johnson that would have gone for more than 20 yards, but the former Los Angeles Ram dropped it. Head coach Aaron Glenn kept the offense on the field, only for Allen Lazard to gain eight yards on fourth down, turning possession back to Tampa Bay.

After a defensive stop, Taylor commanded a beautiful 10-play, 80-yard drive capped by a touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson, trimming the Jets’ deficit to 23-13 with 10:12 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Taylor orchestrated another march down the field, guiding the Jets on an 11-play, 73-yard drive capped by a touchdown strike to wide receiver Allen Lazard, slicing New York’s deficit to six with 3:40 left in the fourth quarter.

After stuffing Tampa Bay for a three-yard gain on first down and burning a timeout, the Jets defense surrendered a backbreaking 33-yard scramble by Baker Mayfield that pushed the Buccaneers into field-goal range, dimming New York’s chances.

But Gang Green delivered a stunning turn of events. Will McDonald blocked the ensuing kick and returned it for a touchdown, giving the Jets a 27-26 lead with 1:49 left in the fourth quarter.

However, Mayfield responded with a pair of 20+ yard completions, setting up Chase McLaughin for a 36-yard game-winning field goal.

While New York’s fight at the end of the game got fans to the edge of their seats, ultimately their comeback efforts weren’t good enough to come out on top.

The Jets will continue to look for their first win under head coach Aaron Glenn in Florida next week against the division-rival Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football.

Game Notes:

  • The Jets were without five starters, including quarterback Justin Fields, defensive end Jermaine Johnson, defensive tackle Jay Tufele, wide receiver Josh Reynolds, and running back/special teamer Kene Nwangwu.
  • Linebacker Quincy Williams left the game early due to a shoulder injury, while Sauce Gardner was also forced out of the game to be evaluated for a head injury, although he returned late.
  • The Jets start 0-3 for the first time since the 2021 season.