The game, which featured wild momentum swings and standout statistical performances, saw Tampa Bay become the first team in the Super Bowl era to win each of their first three games with a score in the final minute. Quarterback Baker Mayfield continued his late-game heroics, completing 19 of 29 passes for 233 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for 44 yards. Mayfield has now engineered game-winning drives in the final minute of all three of Tampa Bay’s victories this season, a feat that cements his resurgence since joining the Bucs.
The Jets opened the scoring with two field goals from Nick Folk, but Tampa Bay quickly answered. A one-handed, 30-yard sideline catch by rookie Emeka Egbuka set up a 5-yard touchdown pass to Mike Evans, giving the Bucs their first lead. The Bucs’ defense then delivered, as Jamel Dean intercepted Tyrod Taylor and returned it 55 yards for a touchdown—the Bucs’ first pick-six since 2023.
Despite a 17-point deficit entering the fourth quarter, the Jets mounted a furious comeback. Tyrod Taylor, starting in place of the injured Justin Fields, threw two touchdown passes—one to Garrett Wilson and another to Allen Lazard. Special teams nearly turned the tide for New York when Will McDonald blocked a McLaughlin field goal and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown, giving the Jets a 27-26 lead with under two minutes left.
But Mayfield responded, connecting with Egbuka and Sterling Shepard to set up McLaughlin’s fifth field goal of the day. The Bucs’ kicker, who had already nailed attempts from 54, 33, 28, and 55 yards, delivered again under pressure, sealing the win as time expired.
Defensively, Tampa Bay racked up four sacks, with standout plays from Antoine Winfield Jr. (strip sack and fumble), Haason Reddick, and Lavonte David. The Bucs overcame 14 penalties for 124 yards, a testament to their resilience. Offensively, Bucky Irving rushed 25 times for 66 yards, while Egbuka led all receivers with six catches for 85 yards.
For the Jets, Taylor finished 26-of-36 for 197 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Garrett Wilson caught 10 passes for 84 yards and a touchdown, and Jamien Sherwood paced the defense with 11 tackles. Despite the defeat, Jets coach Aaron Glenn remained optimistic, emphasizing the team’s cohesion and determination to improve.
Next week, the Buccaneers will host the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in a highly anticipated matchup of unbeaten teams. The Jets, still searching for their first win, travel to Miami to face the Dolphins.
This win not only keeps Tampa Bay atop the NFC South but also marks a significant historical achievement: the Bucs join only two other teams since the 1970 NFL merger—the 2017 Steelers and the 1994 Giants—to secure three consecutive victories with game-winning scores in the final minute of regulation at any point in a season. With Baker Mayfield at the helm and a defense capable of creating game-changing plays, Tampa Bay has quickly become one of the NFL’s most intriguing teams for bettors and analysts alike.