Jets grades vs. Buccaneers: Special teams the lone bright spot in Tampa
OFFENSE: C
This was a solid “F” through three quarters, but with the Buccaneers playing it safe in the fourth to force the Jets to burn off time, the visitors took advantage, suddenly moving the ball with alacrity and scoring two offensive TDs to get back into the game. Tyrod Taylor was under constant pressure early and threw a devastating pick-6 to Jamel Dean just before halftime, but down the stretch, he made plays and finished 26-for-36 for 197 yards and two TDs. He also was the Jets’ leading rusher with 48 yards. Breece Hall carried nine times for only 21 yards.
DEFENSE: C
The Jets sacked Baker Mayfield only once even though the Bucs were playing with an injury-riddled line, but Tampa Bay did commit numerous holding penalties to try to slow down rushers. Not all seven holding penalties were on linemen, but most were. The Bucs did not score a touchdown in the second half, but the Jets gave up three field goals, none more crushing than the game-winner as time expired. Tampa Bay drove 48 yards in the final two minutes, the crusher being a 20-yard pass from Mayfield to former Giant Sterling Shepard to get the Bucs within easy field-goal range.
SPECIAL TEAMS: A
Will McDonald’s field-goal block and 50-yard return for a touchdown with 1:49 left gave the Jets a 27-26 lead after the extra point and looked as if it might be a season-turning moment. McDonald had been getting close to a block all day, then finally hit paydirt. Nick Folk made field goals of 38 and 42 yards.
COACHING: C
Through three quarters, the Jets trailed 23-6 and seemed to be on their way to a second consecutive dud. Then they made adjustments — and took advantage of the Bucs taking their feet off the gas pedal — and made a stirring comeback that nearly resulted in a shocking victory. But coach Aaron Glenn said, “There’s no such thing as moral victories when it comes to us.” They’re 0-3.
Neil Best first worked at Newsday in 1982, returned in 1985 after a detour to Alaska and has been here since, specializing in high schools, college basketball, the NFL and most recently sports media and business.
