Tampa Bay Buccaneers Pull Off Thrilling Comeback—Highlights, Score & What It Means for the Playoff Race

TAMPA — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers look to keep their perfect start alive this Sunday as they host the New York Jets in a highly anticipated Week 3 matchup that has vaulted “Buccaneers” to the top of fan searches nationwide. Key injuries and late roster moves Head coach Todd Bowles confirmed that All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs (knee) and veteran receiver Chris Godwin (ankle) will miss a second straight game, while first-round rookie wideout Emeka Egbuka has been cleared and is officially active against New York. The Buccaneers also elevated depth guard Nick Leverett to the 53-man roster to fortify an offensive line that will be tested by the Jets’ relentless front four. Baker Mayfield vs. elite Jets secondary Quarterback Baker Mayfield enters Sunday leading the NFC in passer rating (112.3) and touchdown passes (7). He’ll face a Jets defense spearheaded by cornerbacks Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed that has allowed just 179.5 passing yards per game through two weeks. Offensive coordinator Liam Coen hinted at more pre-snap motion and quick-game concepts to neutralize New York’s pass rush and create space for Mike Evans, who already has three scores on the young season. Run-game revival could be the difference Second-year back Rachaad White is averaging only 3.1 yards per carry, but Tampa believes its re-shuffled line can exploit a Jets unit surrendering 136 rushing yards per contest. Expect rookie tight end Cade Stover to see extended snaps in 12-personnel packages designed to spring White to the edges. Defense riding turnover wave Tampa Bay’s defense enters Week 3 tied for the league lead with six takeaways, including three interceptions by safety Antoine Winfield Jr. The unit’s growing confidence will be critical against Jets signal-caller Michael Penix Jr., who has been sacked nine times and fumbled twice. Linebackers Lavonte David and Devin White headline a front seven that has produced eight sacks and 21 quarterback pressures through two games. What’s at stake A 3-0 start would give the Buccaneers sole possession of first place in the NFC South after the Falcons fell to 2-1 on Thursday night. It would also mark the franchise’s best opening stretch since 2020, the season that culminated in a Super Bowl LV victory. Conversely, a loss drops Tampa into a logjam of early-season contenders and sets up a pivotal Week 4 road trip to face the division-rival New Orleans Saints. Fantasy football spotlight • Mike Evans: Averaging 92.5 receiving yards; faces a Jets secondary that has surrendered three TDs to perimeter receivers. • Rachaad White: RB2 upside if Tampa establishes the run early. • Buccaneers D/ST: High-ceiling streaming option versus turnover-prone Jets offense. How to watch Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. ET at Raymond James Stadium. The game will air on FOX regionally, stream on NFL+ for mobile users, and is available via SiriusXM NFL Radio on channel 88. Bottom line The Buccaneers enter Week 3 brimming with confidence, but the injury-thinned roster must execute flawlessly to fend off a hungry Jets squad. If Mayfield continues his efficient play and Todd Bowles’ defense maintains its takeaway pace, Tampa Bay is poised to emerge as an early NFC powerhouse and keep the “Buccaneers” search trend surging well into the fall.