Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers Edge Jets 29-27 for 3-0 Start/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Baker Mayfield led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a thrilling 29-27 win over the New York Jets, capped by Chase McLaughlin’s last-second field goal. The Bucs improved to 3-0 for the first time since 2005 despite 14 penalties and a near-meltdown in the fourth quarter. The Jets fell to 0-3 under first-year coach Aaron Glenn, unable to hold a late lead after a blocked kick return.
Buccaneers vs. Jets + Quick Look
- Final score: Buccaneers 29, Jets 27 at Raymond James Stadium.
- Baker Mayfield: 19-of-29, 233 yards, 1 TD, 44 rushing yards.
- Chase McLaughlin: 5 field goals, including game-winner from 36 yards.
- Historic note: Bucs are 3-0 for first time since 2005; first team in Super Bowl era to win each of its first three games with a final-minute score.
- Jets QB Tyrod Taylor: 197 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT filling in for concussed Justin Fields.
- Defense: Jamel Dean 55-yard pick-six; Antoine Winfield Jr. forced fumble.
- Jets highlight: Will McDonald’s blocked FG returned for TD gave Jets late lead.
- Receivers: Garrett Wilson caught 10 passes for 84 yards and a TD.
- Injuries: Jets’ Sauce Gardner cleared concussion protocol; Bucs’ Mike Evans left with hamstring.
- Next games: Jets at Dolphins (Monday Night Football), Buccaneers host Eagles.
Deep Look: Mayfield, McLaughlin Lift Buccaneers Past Jets in Last-Second Win
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers stayed unbeaten with another nail-biting finish, edging the New York Jets 29-27 on Sunday night. Baker Mayfield engineered his third straight late-game drive of the season, and kicker Chase McLaughlin sealed the win with a 36-yard field goal as time expired.
Mayfield Delivers Again
Mayfield, who joined Tampa Bay two years ago with hopes of rebooting his career, has thrived in clutch moments. Each of the Buccaneers’ three wins this season has come on final-minute scoring drives, making them the first team in the Super Bowl era to achieve that feat through their first three games.
The quarterback threw for 233 yards and a touchdown, adding 44 rushing yards on four scrambles. He spread the ball around, with critical late completions to Emeka Egbuka (28 yards) and Sterling Shepard (20 yards) setting up McLaughlin’s decisive kick.
“I loved it,” Mayfield said afterward, noting the personal stakes of facing Jets defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, who cut him in Carolina in 2022. “A lot of stuff was personal today.”
McLaughlin’s Redemption
McLaughlin went 5-for-6 on field goals, hitting from 54, 33, 28, 55, and 36 yards. His lone miss — a blocked 43-yard attempt with under two minutes to play — nearly cost Tampa Bay the game. Jets defender Will McDonald leapt through the line, swatted the kick, scooped the ball, and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown to put New York ahead 27-26.
Instead of folding, the Buccaneers regrouped behind Mayfield, driving 57 yards in the final 1:49 to reclaim the lead and improve to 3-0.
“The confidence the team had in me was really reassuring,” McLaughlin said. “We’re 3-0 and that’s all that matters.”
Buccaneers Defense Steps Up
While penalties (14 in total) plagued Tampa Bay, its defense created big plays. Cornerback Jamel Dean intercepted Tyrod Taylor and returned it 55 yards for a touchdown in the first half. Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. added a forced fumble to spark another stop, and the unit sacked Taylor four times.
Head coach Todd Bowles praised his team’s resilience, especially after blowing a 17-point lead in the fourth quarter. “Three-and-0 is important,” Bowles said. “We lost some of these close ones last year. We’re winning them this year, and that’s the difference.”
Jets Rally Falls Short
For the Jets, the loss was another bitter reminder of their inability to close games. Quarterback Tyrod Taylor, starting in place of concussed Justin Fields, completed 26 of 36 passes for 197 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.
He found Garrett Wilson (10 catches, 84 yards) for an 11-yard score and later connected with Allen Lazard for a 4-yard touchdown. Rookie back Will McDonald nearly played the hero with his blocked kick return, but New York’s defense couldn’t contain Mayfield on the final drive.
“There’s no such thing as moral victories when it comes to us,” Jets coach Aaron Glenn said. “We’re going to fix what we need to fix and keep fighting.”
The Jets are now 0-3 for the third time in six years, continuing a cycle of slow starts under new coaches. Glenn joined Robert Saleh (2021), Adam Gase (2019), and Lou Holtz (1976) as Jets coaches who began their tenures with three straight losses.
Historic Start for Tampa Bay
The Buccaneers are 3-0 for just the fifth time in franchise history and the first since 2005. They celebrated in style, wearing their throwback white creamsicle uniforms for the home opener. Over 100 alumni, including Steve Spurrier, Derrick Brooks, Warren Sapp, and Ronde Barber, were honored at Raymond James Stadium.
For Mayfield, the 3-0 start underscores the team’s resilience. “We stick together,” he said. “When one phase is a little down, others step up. That’s what this team is about.”
Injuries
- Jets: CB Sauce Gardner briefly exited for a head injury but returned after clearing concussion protocol. LB Quincy Williams (shoulder) did not return.
- Buccaneers: WR Mike Evans left with a hamstring injury. DL Logan Hall (groin) exited in the second quarter. S Christian Izien (quad) missed the second half.
Up Next
- Jets: Travel to Miami to face the winless Dolphins on Monday Night Football.
- Buccaneers: Host the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles in Week 4.
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