Three takeaways from the Jets' Week 3 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jets quarterback Tyrod Taylor runs with the football during the first half of an NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday in Tampa, Fla. Credit: AP/Chris O'Meara
TAMPA, Fla. — The Jets nearly pulled out a miraculous win, coming back from 17 down in the fourth quarter. They lost on a last-second field goal by Chase McLaughlin, 29-27. Here are three takeaways:
1. Where there’s a Will . . .
Will McDonald is an unbelievable athlete, and he showed it in a huge way and at a critical time.
The edge rusher leaped over the offensive line, blocked a field goal, beat a defensive back to the football and ran it in for a 50-yard touchdown with 1:49 left. Nick Folk’s extra point gave the Jets a 27-26 lead.
“That’s a pure will play,” Garrett Wilson said. “When I say will, I mean, actual will power.”
McDonald said he went to the coaches in Week 2 and felt confident that he could block kicks. Aaron Glenn said he and special teams coordinator Chris Banjo saw what McDonald could do during some scout team sessions and gave it a try.
He lined up on the edge earlier in the game and was flagged for running into the kicker. On the fateful block, he lined up in the middle.
“I was getting closer and closer on each one,” McDonald said. “I think obviously down the line I can make a couple more blocks.”
2. Offense arrived too late
Tyrod Taylor and the offense struggled early. Taylor had only 55 yards passing in the first half and two turnovers, including a pick-6. The Jets scored two offensive touchdowns in the fourth quarter after being down 23-6.
“We didn’t play [well] in the first half,” Wilson said. “We had to step it up, man.”
Taylor’s interception was an awful mistake. He was under pressure and had two players open, but he forced it to Wilson on the sideline. The ball hung up there and Jamel Dean picked it off and returned it 55 yards for the TD with 17 seconds remaining before halftime.
Taylor said he was “a little late on the throw” and “in hindsight,” he should have just checked it down.
Wilson said he should have been more aggressive in coming to the ball.
“I can’t do that,” he said. “I can’t give the DB a right to the ball.”
3. Defensive corrections
The Jets allowed 122 rushing yards, a step in the right direction after giving up 224 to Buffalo last week. But they’re still not wrapping up players, getting to the quarterback or forcing turnovers.
The Buccaneers were without three starting offensive linemen, but the Jets sacked Baker Mayfield only once. He threw for 233 yards and had five throws go for at least 20 yards. The Jets also let Mayfield escape for a 33-yard run late on the drive in which McDonald blocked the field goal.
Glenn defended his players, saying the Buccaneers had seven holding penalties that prevented the Jets from getting pressure on Mayfield.
“We had him in our grasp a couple of times, and we just got to finish those plays,” Glenn said. “We can make all these deals up, what could have happened. But the thing is they forced seven holding calls. And we had a guy in our hands. That’s what I’m disappointed in. We had him and we didn’t finish the play.”
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
