Jets vs. Buccaneers Preview: Tyrod Taylor Turnaround?
The New York Jets (0-2) travel to Tampa Bay for their first road game of the season to face the undefeated Buccaneers (2-0) on Sunday at 1 pm EST. There is a lot of pressure on Aaron Glenn to secure his first win, as the rookie head coach has had some awkward interactions with the New York media following their awful performance against the Bills. Falling to 0-3 could knock the Jets way off track before the season has really gotten started, and build more tension in the locker room as a Monday Night Football matchup against the rival Dolphins lingers ahead next week.
The Jets are currently 6.5-point underdogs to Tampa Bay, with the game total over/under sitting at 43.5.
Defense Optional
The Jets offense will be led by Tyrod Taylor in Week 3 as Justin Fields recovers from a concussion, and overall the offense looked terrible last week against the Bills, but the bigger issue lies on the defensive side of the ball. The Jets have allowed over 30 points in both games, and grade out poorly in most defensive categories.
The injury to Jermaine Johnson brings more pain to a defensive line that has not found its footing yet this season, and it will lead to more snaps for Jowon Briggs and the much maligned Michael Clemons. Clemons is going to start Sunday on the opposite end of Will McDonald, and this has the makings of a rough day defending against the run. The Bucs are the second most efficient running team in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus, and they mix in two running backs in a timeshare that keeps both Bucky Irvin and Raschaad White fresh.
On the Gang Green Against The World podcast, reporter Matt Matera of the Pewter Report laid out the mess that is the Bucs offensive line, and if the Jets have another day struggling to contain the opposing offense, things could get ugly in Jets Land.
America’s Backup QB
Taylor is a great testament to the value of staying reliable as a backup QB and veteran leader. He is on his seventh team, and is paid quite well for a backup, and it is all for situations like this. Fields being a mobile quarterback means the backup is important, and Taylor has the chance to bring some stability to an up-and-down offense just three weeks into the season.
Taylor was 2-3 as a starter in his last stint as the main playcaller when he was with the Giants, a run that ironically ended against the Jets when he was knocked out of the crazy comeback win for Gang Green. He can throw the ball downfield effectively, and despite his age, still brings mobility to the position.
Pass Early To Set Up The Run
The idea for offenses is usually to establish the run to open up the passing game, but this week the Jets will need to do the opposite. Until they show teams they can throw effectively, defenses are going to load the box to make sure they aren’t beaten by the Jets' strong rushing attack.
The offensive line has done its part, giving Fields and Taylor the most average time in the pocket per pass attempt in football, and more of the same should give the Jets a chance to move the ball against a suspect Bucs secondary.
Doing this early will pave the way for Breece Hall to find space in the open field both on the ground and in short passing situations. The Bucs are stout against the run, but Matera spoke to how the team struggles with open field tackles, and this means Hall could find multiple explosive plays. If the Jets are going to win, it has to be because he dominates the game.
Allan’s Prediction
Until I witness this defense crack down on leaky plays and inconsistent tackling, I will not believe they can hold a team to under 30 points. Baker Mayfield is due for a big game, even if he is playing behind a makeshift line, and I do not have faith that the Jets offense can keep up. I am picking the Buccaneers over the Jets, 34-17.
