Jets vs Buccaneers NFL Pick: New York Turns to Tyrod Taylor at QB (Sep 21)

• NFL Week 3 Jets-Buccaneers features winless New York taking on undefeated Tampa Bay, with Tyrod Taylor taking over at QB for the injured Justin Fields
• The Bucs are riding high after two tight victories, including Monday night’s last-minute comeback over the Texans
• The Jets are enduring familiar struggles, and first-year head coach Aaron Glenn is trying to clean up the roster
• Oddsmakers have installed the Bucs as a touchdown favorite

The Jets Are Likely Better Off With Taylor Under Center

The enthusiasm surrounding Justin Fields after his opening week performance against the Steelers reverted to the credible assertions that he can’t play after his Week 2 showing in the Jets’ 30-10 beating at the Bills’ hands.

Fields completed 3 of 11 passes for 27 yards and rushed for 49 yards on 5 carries. His 27-yard rush was the highlight of the game for him. Taylor played well after Fields was knocked out of the game, going 7 for 11 for 56 yards and a TD pass.

It’s unfair to lay the entire game at Fields’ feet. The Jets’ defense was completely unable to stop running back James Cook (21 rushes for 132 yards and 2 TDs). Josh Allen had an efficient game, but did not carry the team, completing 14 of 25 passes for 148 yards. Buffalo largely stuck to the ground game. They were safe in the knowledge that Fields was not going to move the ball against them.

The Jets could not get their ground game going despite the Bills’ defense getting steamrolled by Derrick Henry and the Ravens in Week 1.

New York’s Breece Hall and Braelon Allen combined for 12 rushes and 40 yards.

Was that, in part, due to the Bills daring Fields to beat them?

Possibly.

The Bucs cannot do the same against Taylor.

First-Place Bucs Try For Their 3rd Straight Win

Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield led the Bucs to their second straight win with a late drive against the Texans in Houston, culminating in Rachaad White’s 2-yard TD run with 6 seconds remaining in the game.

With Mayfield playing as well as he is and his former team in Cleveland again embarrassing themselves, it’s wise to prepare for the coming meme of Mayfield’s facial expression if and when the coach who ran him off from the Browns, Kevin Stefanski, is relieved of his duties.

Mayfield was 25 for 38, 215 yards, and 2 TD passes. He rushed for 33 tough yards on 3 carries, most after he was rolled on and narrowly avoided a severe knee injury. Then, late in the game, his running helped Tampa get into position for the winning score.

Texans’ QB C.J. Stroud was cutting the Bucs up early. But Todd Bowles’ defense clamped down, holding Nick Chubb to 43 yards on 12 carries and largely shutting down the passing game in the second half.

Mayfield spread the ball around with seven receivers catching passes. Bucky Irving caught 6 balls for 50 yards and rushed for 71 on 17 carries.

Jets vs Buccaneers Pick

The Week 3 Jets-Buccaneers matchup has two teams heading in opposite directions.

Had Fields not been concussed, he would probably have been on the verge of getting pulled with another quarter-and-a-half of shaky play in Tampa. Taylor may be 36 and has been a journeyman backup for seven years now, but he can run the offense and will not miss open receivers, nor will he make poor decisions as Fields does.

The Steelers kept Fields within a very tight game plan in 2024 before they eventually pulled him in favor of veteran Russell Wilson. After two games, it’s becoming clear what Fields is. And if Taylor plays well, Glenn will stay with him.

New York couldn’t stop the pass against Aaron Rodgers, and they couldn’t stop the run against James Cook. Will they stop both Irving/White and Mayfield?

No.

But with Taylor under center, they’ll keep the game close enough to cover the spread.