Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick will face off against his old team when his Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-6) host the New York Jets (4-5) Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.
CBS is going to bring this one to your television screens, PCs and mobile devices at 1 p.m. EST.
The Game: New York Jets at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+2.5)
O/U: 43.5
The History
The Jets and Buccaneers have met 11 times since 1976 and the results have been one-sided. New York holds a 10-1 advantage over Tampa Bay in the all time series.
The Buccaneers’ only win over New York was on December 12, 1984. Tampa Bay won 41-21 in a classic Steve DeBerg vs Ken O’Brien quarterback duel. DeBerg finished 26 of 34 for 280 yards and three touchdowns. O’Brien was 19 of 34 for 201 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Bucs running back James Wilder carried the ball 31 times for 103 yards and two scores.
NEW YORK JETS (4-5)
First off, here’s the good news. The Jets defense is coming off its best performance of the season. They held the Buffalo Bills to just 26:30 in time of possession in a 34-21 win and just three rushing first downs. LeSean McCoy managed only 25 yards on 12 carries and they sacked Tyrod Taylor seven times. They forced three turnovers and got 10 stops in the backfield.
The game wasn’t as close as the score. Buffalo recovered an onside kick late and put up another garbage TD in the final two minutes.
The Jets turned turnovers into points with Matt Forte taking in a couple of touchdowns and gaining 77 yards on 14 carries. That’s good, but Forte won’t play Sunday. He’s out with a knee injury. He’ll be joined on the bench by defensive lineman Ed Stinson who has a neck problem.
Still, that’s not a disaster. Bilal Powell was nearly as effective as Forte against Buffalo. He had nine carries for 74 yards as the Jets rolled up 194 yards on the ground against a formidable Bills defense. They won’t face that kind of unit in Tampa Bay.
Josh McCown did what he was asked to do. He moved the chains and protected the ball, finishing 14 of 20 for 140 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions. He added a rushing touchdown on the ground. Robby Anderson was his favorite target, catching four passes for 48 yards and a touchdown.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (2-6)
That’s right. The Bucs have shut quarterback Jameis Winston down for a few weeks to give his shoulder a chance to heal up. That means it’s Ryan Fitzpatrick’s rodeo until at least December. God help them.
Because you know who can’t help them? Wide receiver Mike Evans who is suspended for this game after an altercation in last week’s 30-10 loss to the New Orleans Saints. What does that mean for Fitzpatrick? It means he’ll be tossing it deep to DeSean Jackson to get out of jams. He’ll use tight ends Cameron Brate and O.J. Howard plenty too in the seams and to move the sticks.
Against the Saints, Doug Martin was worthless. He carried the ball eight times for just seven yards. Peyton Barber led the Buccaneers with 11 carries for 34 yards. They’ll need a hell of a lot more from the running game than that to win this game.
In addition to Winston, defensive end William Gholston is out with a neck injury. His fellow DE, Robert Ayers is questionable with an ankle injury. He didn’t practice most of the week, but did suit up Friday. Cornerback Robert McClain is listed as doubtful.
The Pick
The idea is out there that New York comes into this game overconfident, facing the quarterback they ran out of town in the off-season. I don’t see it that way. This Jets squad was tanking when the season began and found the stones to win some games and actually be a factor this season. They did it again last week in Buffalo. They’ll do it this week in Tampa Bay. Jets 23, Buccaneers 20
This week
Straight up: 1-0
Against the spread: 1-0
Last week
Straight up: 9-4
Against the spread: 11-2
Season
Straight up: 78-54
Against the spread: 69-62
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