New York Jets vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Picks and Prediction, Sunday, September 21, 2025

It’s Week 3 of NFL action with a good matchup in Florida on Sunday, Sept. 21. Read our New York Jets vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers prediction along with our other NFL Picks! This is the first home game for the Buccaneers this season as they have started 2-0 with close wins over Atlanta and Houston. The Jets go on the road for the first time with their 0-2 record. They suffered a big loss to Buffalo last week and will look to their backup quarterback to lead them to victory. Kick-off time between the two teams is set for 1 P.M. EST.

New York set to start Tyrod Taylor in Week 3

The Jets are 0-2 to start the season. New York opened the season with a back-and-forth game against the Steelers in Week 1. They suffered a 34-32 loss at home as the Steelers were able to take the win on a late field goal. Week 2 did not bode much better for the Jets.

In their last game, the Jets lost 30-10 to Buffalo at home on Sunday, Sept. 14. New York was never in the game as Buffalo the first 20 points of the outing. The Jets went 0-for-11 on third-down attempts, and they accumulated just 154 yards. The Jets threw for just 54 total yards while their rushing attack reached 100 yards.

During the loss to the Bills, Justin Fields suffered a concussion. He has already been ruled out for the game against Tampa Bay. In his wake, veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor will get the nod. The 36-year-old threw for 56 yards and a touchdown against the Bills in Week 2. He also featured in two games last season for the Jets.

“This is a personal game for me from the aspect of, I know Todd Bowles on a level that is unlike a lot of coaches relationships I have in this league,” Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said this week. “He was my coach from two different teams: here, with the Jets, and with the Cowboys. So, I’ve leaned on him quite a bit throughout my coaching process, and he’s been a really good friend. So, when I say personal, that’s where that comes from.”

The Jets are averaging 21 points per game, which ranks 22nd. They are the third-worst passing offense, averaging 133 yards per game through the air. New York is the sixth-best rush offense, averaging 141 yards per game on the ground.

On defense, New York is allowing 32 points per gam,e ranking third-worst. They rank 14th in defending the pass, giving up 198.5 yards per game. The Jets are also the ninth-worst rush defense, giving up 138.5 yards on the ground.

New York is 1-1 against the spread this season. They covered the spread as a 3-point underdog against the Steelers in Week 1. The Jets failed to cover as a 6-point underdog against Buffalo last week. The total is also 1-1 so far. The under hit when it was placed at 47.5 against the Bills. The over hit with it set at 38 versus Pittsburgh.

As of Thursday, the Jets have listed quarterback Justin Fields, linebacker Jermaine Johnson, running back Kent Nwangwu, wide receiver Josh Reynolds and defensive tackle Jay Tufele as non-participants in practice. Safety Tony Adams, corner Michael Carter and linebacker Marcelino McCrary-Ball were limited participants.

Buccaneers off to undefeated start

Tampa Bay is undefeated and 2-0 to start the new season. The Buccaneers opened the season with a 23-20 road win over Atlanta in Week 1. They were able to skate by thanks to a missed field goal by the Falcons in the final moments of the game.

In their last game, the Buccaneers defeated the Texans 20-19 on the road on Monday, Sept. 15. Running back Rachaad White rushed for a 2-yard touchdown in the final seconds of the fourth quarter.

White rushed for 65 yards on 10 carries while Bucky Irving led the way with 71 yards on 17 carries. Baker Mayfield was strong in the game, throwing for 215 yards on 25-for-38 passing and two touchdowns. Mike Evans continues to be his favorite target with a team-high 56 yards on five catches. Rookie wide receiver caught one of Mayfield’s touchdown passes, but he remains questionable with an injury for this game.

The defense for the Buccaneers has stepped up to the challenge in the first few weeks. They allowed Houston to go 2-for-9 on third down as they accumulated just 266 yards of offense. They have been able to contain the quarterback, which will be key in this game against the Jets. Houston’s CJ Stroud rushed for just 27 yards while Atlanta’s Michael Penix Jr. finished with 21 yards. This will be key against New York’s Tyrod Taylor, who loves to improvise with his feet.

"He can run just as good as Justin Fields , obviously he's played longer, very smart quarterback,” Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles said this week. ”Gets out of the pocket, very elusive that way with running quarterbacks, knows where to go with the football, very experienced. And we just gotta play our game and try to get him to keep him corralled.”’

Tampa Bay is averaging 21.5 points per game, which ranks 19th. They are the ninth-best rushing attack with 135 yards per game on the ground. The Buccaneers are also throwing for 175 yards through the air, placing them fifth worst.

On defense, Tampa Bay is allowing 19.5 points per game placing them 13th. They are the fifth best rush defense giving up 76.5 yards per game on the ground. Opponents are passing for an average of 235.5 yards per game placing Tampa Bay’s defense 23rd.

Tampa Bay is 2-0 against the spread this season. They have played on the road in both games.  They covered as a 2.5-point underdog last week against the Texans. They also covered as a 1-point favorite against Atlanta, too. The under is 2-0 with the total set at 42.5 and 47.5 for both games.

As of Thursday, Tampa Bay has listed wide receiver Emeka Egbuka as a non-participant in practice. Wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. and tackle Tristan Wirfs were both limited participants.

New York Jets vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Picks

Spread Pick for New York Jets vs Tapa Bay Buccaneers

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers -6.5 (5 units)

The elephant in the room is a large one: the quarterback situation with the Jets. Justin Fields has started the past two games and then exited with a concussion. He won’t be playing in this game as Tyrod Taylor gets the start. The backup quarterback did not look good in the big loss to the Bills. He will be the worst quarterback that this Buccaneers defense has seen in the first three weeks.

Tampa Bay’s defense has been really solid, slowing down CJ Stroud and Michael Penix Jr. They will need another strong effort, while Tampa Bay’s offense should dominate. The Buccaneers have been able to move the ball while their rushing attack has been great behind Bucky Irving and Rachaad White. If things do get close, Baker Mayfield continues to show off his throwing ability. In their first home game of the season, this should be an easy win for Tampa against a Jets team that is still struggling to find its identity.

Take the Buccaneers to cover. 

Over/Under pick for New York Jets vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Under 43.5 (5 units) 

The under has hit in both games for Tampa Bay this season. They have controlled the time of possession and rushed the ball effectively. Opposing teams so far have been thwarted by the defense of the Buccaneers as they have allowed field goals, not touchdowns. I expect a similar outcome with the Jets starting back-up quarterback Tyrod Taylor. The offense was not good against the Bills, and the Jets suffered all afternoon. In their first road game of the year, it will be another low-scoring output for New York.

Take the under on Sunday.