You know those NFL matchups that just feel cursed? Not in a "they always lose" kind of way, but in a "something bizarre is definitely going to happen" way. That’s the New York Jets vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Honestly, on paper, it shouldn’t be this weird. They aren't in the same conference. They only play each other once every four years, unless the NFL’s rotating schedule gods feel spicy. But every time these two meet, logic goes out the window.
Take the most recent showdown in September 2025. The Buccaneers were flying high, looking for their first 3-0 start in two decades. The Jets, meanwhile, were struggling. It looked like a blowout. Then, Tyrod Taylor—filling in for a concussed Justin Fields—decided to turn back the clock.
He led two massive fourth-quarter touchdown drives. The Jets actually took the lead after Will McDonald IV did the unthinkable. He blocked a field goal, chased the ball down, and ran it back 50 yards for a touchdown. Total chaos.
But because it’s the Jets, and because it’s Baker Mayfield on the other side, the story didn't end there. Mayfield, who basically thrives on spite and two-minute drills, marched Tampa down the field. Chase McLaughlin nailed a 36-yarder as time expired to win it 29-27.
That’s just how this series goes.
The Jets vs Buccaneers Record Nobody Talks About
If you look at the all-time history, the New York Jets actually dominated this series for decades. Seriously. For the longest time, the Bucs couldn't buy a win against Gang Green. Between 1985 and 2013, the Jets won eight straight games.
✨ Don't miss: Lo que nadie te cuenta sobre los próximos partidos de selección de fútbol de jamaica
It didn't matter if the Bucs were good or the Jets were bad. The "J-E-T-S" chant seemed to be Kryptonite for Tampa Bay.
- 1985: The Jets hung 62 points on Tampa. Sixty-two!
- 1997: A 31-0 shutout in the Meadowlands.
- 2013: A weird 18-17 win for the Jets sparked by a late hit penalty on Lavonte David.
Things have shifted lately, though. The Buccaneers have won the last few meetings, including that wild 2022 game where Antonio Brown famously stripped off his jersey and danced his way out of the NFL mid-game.
You can't make this stuff up.
Why the 2025 Matchup Changed Everything
When we look back at New York Jets vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2025, it’s going to be remembered as the "what if" game for New York. It was Aaron Glenn’s third game as head coach. He started 0-3, joining a "prestigious" list of Jets coaches like Lou Holtz and Robert Saleh who couldn't find a win in their first month.
Tampa Bay, under Todd Bowles, showed why they've won the NFC South four years running. They aren't always pretty. In that 2025 game, they had 14 penalties. They lost Mike Evans to a hamstring injury mid-game. Their offensive line was a patchwork quilt of guards making their first career starts.
And they still won.
🔗 Read more: Listen to Dodger Game: How to Catch Every Pitch Without a Cable Bill
Baker Mayfield finished that game with 233 yards and a touchdown, but his most important stat was his 44 rushing yards. He was the team's second-leading rusher. It shows the grit that Bowles has instilled in that locker room. On the flip side, the Jets’ defense, led by Sauce Gardner—who briefly left the game with a head injury—just couldn't get the one stop they needed at the very end.
Key Performers from the Latest Clash
The stats tell a story of a game that was much closer than the talent gap suggested.
Tyrod Taylor was efficient, going 26-of-36 for 197 yards and two scores. Garrett Wilson was his usual "how did he catch that?" self, racking up 10 catches for 84 yards. But the Bucs had their own young stars. Emeka Egbuka, the rookie sensation, stepped up when Evans went down, grabbing six balls for 85 yards.
Antoine Winfield Jr. was everywhere. He had a strip-sack on Taylor that completely flipped the momentum in the second quarter. If you're a defensive purist, watching Winfield and Lavonte David work together is like watching a masterclass in positioning.
The Outlook for 2026 and Beyond
Right now, both teams are at a crossroads.
The Jets are staring down a massive rebuild. At the 2025 trade deadline, they did the unthinkable: they traded away Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams. That's moving two of the best defensive players in the world to stockpile draft picks.
💡 You might also like: LeBron James and Kobe Bryant: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
They head into 2026 with over $111 million in cap space and a mountain of picks in the first two rounds. Priority number one? Finding a franchise quarterback. Tyrod Taylor is a free agent, and Justin Fields' future with the team is, let's say, complicated.
The Buccaneers are facing their own mortality. Lavonte David is likely heading toward retirement. Mike Evans is a free agent and undecided about playing another year after a collarbone injury slowed him down.
The culture in Tampa is strong, but the roster is getting old in key spots.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
When these two teams meet again, don't look at the records. The New York Jets vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers matchup is a trap for bettors and a headache for coordinators.
- Watch the Trench Depth: In their last meeting, Tampa won because their backup offensive linemen, Elijah Klein and Luke Haggard, survived against a fierce Jets front.
- The "Revenge" Factor: Coaches move between these teams constantly. Todd Bowles coaching against the team that fired him (the Jets) clearly adds some extra spice to the play-calling.
- Draft Capital Matters: Keep an eye on the Jets' 2026 draft. They have the ammunition to jump anyone for the top QB on the board.
To really understand the trajectory of these franchises, you have to look at the 2026 offseason. The Jets are trying to buy a future, while the Bucs are trying to hold onto a winning present.
Keep an eye on the official NFL transaction wire this March. The moves the Jets make with that $111 million will determine if the 2025 heartbreak was a fluke or a sign of things to come. For Tampa, the focus is entirely on the "Mike Evans Watch." If he leaves, the identity of that offense changes overnight.