Football is a weird, cruel game. One minute you’re watching a blocked field goal turn into a 50-yard miracle touchdown return, and the next, you’re staring at the ceiling because a 36-yarder just ended your season's hopes. That's basically the story of the NY Jets vs Tampa Bay matchup from September 21, 2025. Honestly, if you didn’t see it live, the box score doesn’t even come close to explaining the chaos at Raymond James Stadium.
The Jets walked into Tampa as massive underdogs. They were 0-2, missing their starting quarterback Justin Fields due to a concussion, and facing a Buccaneers team that looked like a juggernaut. Most experts expected a blowout. Instead, we got a game that saw a 17-point fourth-quarter comeback, a heroic effort from a 36-year-old backup, and a kick that went through the uprights just as the clock hit zero.
Why the Jets Almost Pulled Off the Impossible
Tyrod Taylor is a pro's pro. You've gotta respect a guy who can sit on the bench for months and then step into a humid 92-degree Florida afternoon and almost outplay Baker Mayfield. For three quarters, it was ugly. The Jets trailed 23-6. The offense looked stagnant, and the defense was getting carved up by Mike Evans and the rookie sensation Emeka Egbuka.
But then things got weird.
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Taylor started leaning on Garrett Wilson. It wasn’t fancy. Just high-level execution. Wilson finished with 10 catches for 84 yards, including an 11-yard touchdown that finally woke the Jets up. Then, Taylor found Allen Lazard for a 4-yard score. Suddenly, the lead was down to six.
The real insanity happened with under two minutes left. The Bucs were trying to ice the game with a 43-yard field goal. Will McDonald IV—who has been a bright spot for New York—literally flew over the line. He blocked the kick, scooped it up, and ran 50 yards for a touchdown. For about five minutes, Jets fans actually believed the "Same Old Jets" curse was dead. The score was 27-26. New York was in the driver's seat.
The Baker Mayfield Factor
You can't give Baker Mayfield two minutes and a couple of timeouts. You just can't. Even though the Jets' defense, led by Jamien Sherwood and his 11 tackles, had played their hearts out, they looked gassed in the final drive. Mayfield didn't panic. He hit Egbuka for a few chunk gains and used his legs—including a 33-yard scramble that was apparently his longest since his rookie year.
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By the time Tampa reached the 18-yard line, the outcome felt inevitable. Chase McLaughlin, who had already missed a blocked kick earlier, didn't blink. He drilled the 36-yarder. Bucs win, 29-27.
It was a gut-punch for Gang Green. They moved to 0-3 while the Bucs soared to 3-0.
Key Performance Stats from the Game
- Baker Mayfield (TB): 19/29, 233 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT.
- Tyrod Taylor (NYJ): 26/36, 197 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT (a brutal 55-yard pick-six to Jamel Dean).
- Bucky Irving (TB): 25 carries for 66 yards. He was a workhorse even if the efficiency wasn't amazing.
- Garrett Wilson (NYJ): 10 receptions, 84 yards, 1 TD.
Historical Context: A One-Sided Rivalry?
Believe it or not, the Jets actually dominate the all-time series against Tampa Bay. Before this 2025 meeting, New York led the series 10-3. But the tide is clearly shifting. Todd Bowles, the Bucs' head coach, has now beaten his former team twice since taking over in Tampa.
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There's something about this matchup that brings out the drama. Back in 2021, it was the Antonio Brown "shirtless exit" game. In 2025, it was the "Will McDonald Block" game. Even though these teams only play every few years because they're in different conferences, it always feels personal. Maybe it's the Bowles connection, or maybe it's just the contrast between the sunny optimism of Florida and the perpetual "waiting for next year" vibe of New York football.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Matchup
A lot of people look at the final score and think the Jets' defense failed. That’s sort of a lazy take. The defense actually scored a touchdown! The real issue was the first half. When you let a team go up 20-6 at halftime because of a pick-six, you're asking for a miracle.
Also, the Bucs' run game wasn't as dominant as it looked. Bucky Irving had a lot of carries, but the Jets' interior, led by Quinnen Williams, actually held firm for most of the day. The Bucs won because Baker Mayfield made three big throws when it mattered most, and the Jets lost because they ran out of time.
Actionable Insights for the Rest of the Season
If you're following these two teams, there are a few things you should keep an eye on based on what we saw in this NY Jets vs Tampa Bay clash:
- Monitor the Jets' Secondary: Sauce Gardner stayed in the game after a head injury scare, but Brandon Stephens struggled significantly against Emeka Egbuka. If the Jets can't find a consistent CB2, high-powered offenses will keep picking on them.
- Bucs' Offensive Line Depth: Tampa won, but they are incredibly banged up. Missing Tristan Wirfs and Luke Goedeke is starting to show. Mayfield is taking more hits than he should, and the run game is averaging less than 3 yards per carry.
- Tyrod Taylor’s Value: If Justin Fields stays in concussion protocol, the Jets are in surprisingly capable hands. Taylor’s ability to avoid turnovers (mostly) and manage the clock gives them a chance, even if his ceiling isn't as high as the younger starters.
- Bucky Irving's Workload: The Bucs are clearly committed to the rookie. 25 carries is a massive workload in today's NFL. If he stays healthy, he's a dark horse for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
The 2025 meeting proved that record doesn't matter when these two squads meet. It's usually weird, it's always stressful, and it usually comes down to the final possession. For the Bucs, it was a statement that they can win ugly. For the Jets, it was another "what if" in a long line of "what ifs."