Jamel Dean finally delivers what Todd Bowles has been dogging him about for years in Bucs’ win over the Jets
Dean delivered a huge play that helped the Buccaneers defeat the Jets.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers found a way for the third straight week, edging the New York Jets at the final gun 29-27 on a field goal by Chase McLaughlin.
Although the game ended close thanks to a drop off in all three phases of the game, the defense allowed just 6 points going into the fourth quarter. And one of the standouts on Sunday was cornerback Jamel Dean.
Dean, who has been in head coach Todd Bowles’ doghouse in recent years for a lack of coming away with interceptions, had one of the biggest plays of the game to end the first half.
Bucs CB Jamel Dean delivered a crucial pick six in the final seconds of the first half
With the New York Jets pushing for points before the half down 13-6, Dean jumped the route near midfield, came down with the ball, and sprinted down a jubilant Bucs sideline all the way to the end zone.
“It was huge,” Bowles said after the game. “It was right before the half. It really gave us a boost, getting the ball back in the second half as well. He caught it with his hands. He had a good game. He’s been playing good the past couple of weeks and it showed.”
Bowles and the coaching staff have been vocal about the defense’s need to come away with more turnovers in previous years and have specifically mentioned Dean by name before as someone who can improve in that area. Dean had a key drop of an interception in the Bucs’ 2023 playoff loss to the Detroit Lions. Bowles also talked in the offseason about Dean’s need to stay on the field more often.
However, Dean has been outstanding thus far in 2025 for a Bucs defense that’s been solid for the majority of the first three weeks. Dean has allowed just 5 catches on 13 targets for 34 yards with an opposing 14.6 quarterback rating when targeted.
It appears as though the Bucs are getting one of the best versions of their veteran cornerback in 2025, and that can only be a good thing for a team looking to take that next step from playoff participant to true Super Bowl contender.
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