New York Jets vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Picks and Prediction for Sunday, September 21, 2025
Get ready for an intriguing Week 3 clash as the New York Jets battle it out with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in our Jets vs. Buccaneers prediction. Set to unfold at Raymond James Stadium on September 21st at 1:00 PM ET, this game, airing on FOX, promises an exciting matchup between nonconference foes. With these teams trending in opposite directions, let's dive into the stats, injuries, and key insights to preview what's in store. Angles that matter — NFL picks for the New York Jets at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers backed by recent form.
Jets Looking for Answers
The New York Jets are coming off a tough 30-10 home loss on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. New York’s offense has been led by quarterback Justin Fields, but he has already been ruled out with a concussion. This means veteran backup Tyrod Taylor, who completed 7-of-11 passes for 56 yards with one passing touchdown and three rushes for 21 yards to begin the season, will get the nod. This will be Taylor's 59th start, so he has plenty of experience and is 28-28-1 overall in his career in the regular season. With Fields out, that means undrafted rookie Brady Cook from Missouri, will be the backup quarterback.
Their total offense stands at 274.0 yards per game (27th in NFL), with passing accounting for only 133.0 yards (29th). The rushing game is where the team has excelled, as they have recorded 141.0 rushing yards (eighth).
Defensively, New York is allowing 337.0 total yards per game (21st), with their pass defense standing out as they are allowing a 64.9 completion percentage through the two games (16th).
Injury Report for Cleveland
- Wide receiver Josh Reynolds: Hamstring (Questionable)
- Defensive tackle Jay Tufele: Illness (Questionable)
- Running back Kene Nwangwu: Hamstring (Questionable)
- Cornerback Michael Carter II: Shoulder (Questionable)
- Linebacker Jermaine Johnson: Shoulder (Questionable)
- Linebacker Marcelino McCrary-Ball: Hamstring (Questionable)
- Safety Tony Adams: Hip (Questionable)
- Wide receiver Irvin Charles: Knee (OUT)
- Quarterback Justin Fields: Concussion (OUT)
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Buccaneers Looking Sharp
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are looking to build off their 20-19 road win on Monday against the Houston Texans in Week 2 in a come-from-behind win. Quarterback Baker Mayfield stepped up as he completed 25-of-38 passes for 215 yards with two touchdown passes as well as three carries for 33 yards (11.0 yards per attempt) with a rushing touchdown. Mayfield is also banged up, dealing with a foot and toe injury. As a team, they are ranked best in the NFL in passing yards, averaging 175.0 per game. Tampa Bay’s total offense, which averages 310.0 yards per game, will need to find ways to get the ball into the skill position players’ hands. The rushing game, contributing 135.0 yards per game (first), might see an increased emphasis on handing the ball off. Bucky Irvin is certainly capable as a runner, though he's averaging just 3.5 yards per carry. As a rookie, he rushed for 1,122 yards (5.4ypc) and caught 47 passes for 392 yards in 2024.
The Bucs’ defense, allowing an average of 312.0 total yards per game, has allowed them to stay in the game, ranking 31st in football. Their pass defense, in particular, has been terrible, conceding 235.5 yards per game. Their rush defense, allowing 76.5 yards per game, remains their strongest point and will be a critical force for the result of this game.
On the injury front, the Bucs will likely be playing without LT Tristan Wirfs (knee) and to make matters worse up front, RT Luke Goedeke (foot) is also out. WR Chirs Godwin may return after missing the first two games and part of the 2024 season due to ankle surgery.
Injury Report for Tampa Bay
- Wide receiver Chris Godwin: Ankle (Questionable)
- Offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs: Knee (Questionable)
- Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka: Hip (Questionable)
- OT Luke Goedeke (foot) is out.
Jets vs. Buccaneers Pick
Spread Pick for Jets vs. Buccaneers
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers -6.5 (4 units)
The New York Jets have been one of the weirdest teams to handicap, as they have good players, but the defense has been underwhelming. Tampa Bay is playing well and coming in at 2-0 gives them a lot of confidence. Mayfield also figures out a way to win and Taylor is going to struggle against the Bucs' defense. Coach Todd Bowles has shown himself to be one of the top coaches. The only question is the wide receiver room being banged up, but until the Jets show they can get stops after giving up 30+ points in the first two weeks, so go with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to dominate and cover the spread at home.
Over/Under Pick for Jets vs. Buccaneers
- Under 43.5 (4 units)
These teams are not looking too great on the offensive side of the football heading into this game. The Jets are going to be on their backup quarterback, while the Bucs are banged up offensively and could be without both starting offensive tackles as well as some wide receiver depth issues, depending on how the rest of the week leading up to the game shapes out. Neither offense has dominated to the point where a 30-point scoring outburst should be expected, either so take the under as the better bet here.
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