Bucs vs. Jets Final Score Predictions: Can Baker Mayfield push past all the injuries and get Tampa Bay to 3-0?
The Bucs are dealing with major injuries that can easily determine the outcome of their matchup with the Jets.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a chance to start 3-0 for the first time in 20 years with a win over the New York Jets on Sunday, but it won’t be easy.
The Bucs are on track to be without not one, not two, not three, but four starting offensive lineman when the Jets come to town. On top of that, the defense lost stud lineman Calijah Kancey for the year thanks to a torn pec. Even star rookie WR Emeka Egbuka is questionable for this game.
Baker Mayfield and Co. will have to push past the injuries if they want to beat a Jets squad looking for its first win of the 2025 season. On defense, Vita Vea and crew have to stop Breece Hall and make Tyrod Taylor beat them. If these things happen, the Bucs definitely have a good shot at winning the game.
With that being said, let’s dive into some of the A to Z staff’s final score predictions for this matchup.
Jets 17, Bucs 16
The Jets may be a winless team, but the Bucs’ bad injury luck makes this their hardest test of the year. We have absolutely no clue how the offensive line is going to play, as two of the three replacements will start their first-ever NFL game on Sunday. Anyone who follows football closely knows an offense is only as good as the front five (just ask the 2024 version of the Chicago Bears about this).
The Bucs are likely starting a second-year player who’s taken nine offensive snaps in the NFL and a practice squad player with zero NFL snaps under his belt at each guard position. That is not a good spot to be in when you’re going up against a guy like Quinnen Williams on the defensive line. Those matchups alone can play a large role in the outcome of this game. If Egbuka ends up missing the game, the passing attack will be in tough shape as Mike Evans will be the last man standing of the Big Four.
It’s just so hard to see the Bucs overcoming the loss of three starting OL in one week. That affects everything and it’s going to limit the offense in a major way.
On defense, this is a great matchup for the Bucs. The Jets don’t have a lot of playmakers and the Bucs defense is relatively healthy. However, I think Tyrod Taylor and Breece Hall will be able to make enough plays to barely squeak one out over an incredibly banged-up Buccaneers squad. – Evan Winter, A to Z Tampa Bay
Bucs 35, Jets 22
Honestly, even if Justin Fields wasn’t out with a concussion this week, I’m not sure this would have been much of a contest. The Bucs lost two outstanding interior players on opposite sides of the football after Monday night, but as long as Baker is throwing the ball, I’m going to believe in this team. That’s especially true against a Jets defense that has allowed 30 or more points through two weeks.
Offensively, we have a large enough sample size to know that Tyrod Taylor is a suitable backup, but if you ask Todd Bowles and his defense who they would rather play between Taylor and Fields, it’s a fairly easy choice. I expect the Bucs to make it a long day at the office for Taylor and the Jets. – Rob Gregson, A to Z Pittsburgh
Bucs 27, Jets 13
The Jets have played hard over the first two weeks and could have certainly won the first game, against the Pittsburgh Steelers. But as much as new head coach Aaron Glenn tries, it’s clear that this roster still has a talent deficit compared to the real playoff contenders in the NFL. Yes, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are handling their fair share of injuries. But the Jets will be without quarterback Justin Fields, and while inconsistent, he has been an impactful piece of the offensive construction due to his rushing ability and explosiveness.
Tyrod Taylor is a capable NFL quarterback, but he doesn’t have the tools to elevate an offense. In order to win this game, the Jets would need a monster game from other offensive stars, like Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall, and more from a defense that has given up 32 points per game through two weeks. – Wendell Ferreira, A to Z Green Bay
Bucs 31, Jets 16
This should be one of the safest bets of the week. The Buccaneers are establishing themselves as a legitimate Super Bowl contender, and Baker Mayfield is making a case to be considered among the elite quarterbacks in the league. I expect Tampa Bay’s defense to force a couple of turnovers as Tyrod Taylor gets the start at quarterback for the Jets with Justin Fields sidelined with a concussion. In turn, the Bucs’ offense should capitalize on short fields and extra possessions. New York struggled to slow down the Buffalo Bills’ rushing attack in Week 2, so watch for a heavy workload for Bucs running backs Bucky Irving and Rachaad White, especially after they combined for 136 yards and one touchdown last week. – Nick Roesch, A to Z Kansas City
Bucs 27, Jets 17
Just can’t see an avenue for success on the New York side here. Without Justin Fields, I don’t see a ton of explosive opportunity for their offense. As for Tampa, they are dealing with a plethora of injuries in the trenches – but I don’t think they’re enough to put them too far behind the eight ball in this particular matchup. Aaron Glenn’s team plays with plenty of effort, but it’s not enough in Week 3. The Buccaneers offense needs to find a bit more consistency if they want to win later in the season. Doing that this weekend amidst plenty of doubt would be ideal for them. – Adam Holt, A to Z New Orleans
Final Prediction for Bucs vs. Jets
Like last week, it’s 4-1 in favor of the Buccaneers. This time, however, the lone dissenter is the main beat writer. The Bucs are 6.5-point favorites heading into Week 3 and the vast majority of people still think they can pull through despite the injuries on both sides of the ball.
It’s going to take a near-flawless game for that to happen and honestly, whichever team makes the least amount of mistakes will take home the dub. We’ll see if that’s the Bucs come Sunday afternoon.
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