“If You Don’t Match It On The Road, It Overwhelmes You”
September 20th, 2025
Baker Mayfield
So the Jets are a trainwreck team arriving in Tampa this weekend, one that hasn’t seen a winning record in 10 years and a playoff game since they lost the AFC Championship game of the 2010 season.
Of course, all that ancient history matters little against the Bucs. But the Jets’ performance this season certainly matters.
New York has lost home games to start the season and clearly got worse in Week 2 than they were in Week 1. It was so bad against Buffalo that Joe already has heard grumblings out of the Big Apple to put new Jets head coach Aaron Glenn on the hot seat.
Can they bounce back with their season on the line in the Bucs’ home opener tomorrow?
On paper, they sure can. But Tiki Barber, the former All-Pro running back and Bucs legend Rondé Barber’s twin, told his WFAN sports radio audience this week that the Jets will need to dig very deep to counter what they’ll be finding at The Licht House.
Barber says Baker Mayfield cranks the Bucs up to a level the Jets might not be able to find.
“If you don’t match it on the road, it overwhelmes you,” Barber said of Mayfield’s juice. “And so one of the challenges with going down to Tampa is matching the energy of Baker Mayfield and what he brings and the aura that surrounds him when he’s playing really good football like he has been the last couple of weeks.”
Can the Jets rally with backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor? He’ll start in place of Justin Fields. The Jets trailed 30-3 at home last week against Buffalo and limped to a garbage-time touchdown late. The Bills do not have a special defense.
Joe can’t wait to see how Mayfield energizes his offense behind a Bucs offensive line that, as of today, looks like a preseason unit. The Bucs should be able to outscore the Jets.
September 20th, 2025 at 1:52 pm
We are home. Should be easy win. I hope. Just hope not close.
September 20th, 2025 at 1:56 pm
Can’t wait to see who we trott out on the O line? Same with the D line where we lost a DT. Who becomes activated?
September 20th, 2025 at 2:24 pm
Yep exactly like the Denver game last year. Baker really overwhelmed the Broncos and their rookie QB with his juice. And his OL wasn’t a Frankenstein patch job.
Aaron Glenn should not be underestimated. They played pretty well against the Steelers and we know Tyron and Garrett Wilson are going off against Mr Bend Over then Break.
September 20th, 2025 at 2:26 pm
O line injuries are so depressing. It’s going to limit the playback no matter what they tell the media.
September 20th, 2025 at 2:42 pm
The Bills aren’t beat up. We are. Jets know it. We’ll see. Go Bucs, 3-0!!
September 20th, 2025 at 2:48 pm
If we were fully heathy, this would be a blowout. So would Atl and Houston. But they weren’t. We are SEVERELY injured. It will be another nail biter. And if we win, I would recommend benching anyone with a minor injury along with Baker Mayfield vs the Eagles.
September 20th, 2025 at 2:51 pm
Denver was gonna be a cakewalk last year too. Boy that didn’t work out.
September 20th, 2025 at 2:55 pm
Bucs on Deck agreed, if we win against Jets we need to rest all starters including Baker, we cannot heal w/o time off
September 20th, 2025 at 2:59 pm
Jets will be desperate for victory after getting roasted in New York press all week. This won’t be a gimme game with our improvised offensive line. NOW is the time for defense to shine with stops, sacks, & turnovers. Special teams must be at least serviceable vs an embarrassing liability. TAMPA!
September 20th, 2025 at 3:12 pm
Jump out to a 30 point lead and rest the starters
September 20th, 2025 at 3:16 pm
So we go 3-0 and the next week we should lay down against a team we have beaten 3 out of 4 times in the past few years? F that! This is the NFL bro, we aren’t laying down for anybody especially the stank a$$ iggles!
Baker, Lavonte & Mike have the will power to drag the bodies over the finish line and beat both the jets and the seagulls
September 20th, 2025 at 3:40 pm
joe stop calling the jets a crappy team your going to jinx it for sure!!! then it will be your fault for pissing them off when we lose to them
there are no easy wins in the nfl!!!
September 20th, 2025 at 3:57 pm
While I hope I’m wrong, I don’t see this as a gimmie. Breece Hall in the open field is worrisome and people really don’t understand how good Q is. He’s capable of wrecking the game inside on offense, especially with our current situation.
Get to 3-0 and rest who you need to the following week and go to Seattle.
September 20th, 2025 at 4:25 pm
Why the hell would we give up a lose to the Eagles on purpose!!??? That’s the sentiment, but no answers…absolutely ludicrous
September 20th, 2025 at 4:28 pm
It’s Garrett WIlson that will remind everyone of Julio Jones in his prime, Tyreek Hill in his prime when he torched Todd for 200 yards…………in the first half.
September 20th, 2025 at 4:29 pm
We’re 10-8 the last 2 years at home, so just being at home in our throwbacks can’t put my mind at ease.
We’ve had the ball 20 times on offense through two games. 21 really, but it only counts for an -1 yard kneel down.
We’ve scored 7 TDs
Punted 9 times
Kicked 3 FGs, but missed on 2
And had 1 punt blocked.
We need to not help the NYJ beat us
September 20th, 2025 at 4:43 pm
I don’t understand the comparisons to the broncos game last year. The Broncos were good and no one knew it yet. These Jets are not good and don’t seem like they want to be. I think the defense gets a few turnovers and the offense leans on Bucky/Chaad. Bucs go 3-0.
September 20th, 2025 at 4:45 pm
We can win this game.
But, we’re going to have to bring our A-game.
If we let our guard down tomorrow we’ll be chalking up an L.
As for resting folks next week against the Eagles, I’m not sure I agree with that.
I see the logic, given how banged up we are.
But, come the playoff seedings, a win against the Eagles could carry more weight and bode much better for us, than a loss.
I’m confident we can win the division.
But Atlanta is out there. We can’t afford too many losses. Especially conference games.
September 20th, 2025 at 5:02 pm
BigPopppa
The Broncos were inept, terrible and sporting a rookie Quarterback. At least that was Joes position.
In any event Sean Payton was te reason for that win.. he’s always had our number.
Any given Sunday and all..
September 20th, 2025 at 5:08 pm
Vanessa Anne, you strike me as an astute football fan. “I see the logic”. Tell me you don’t mean a word of that!
September 20th, 2025 at 5:16 pm
Bucs are wearing the dreaded creamsicles, so I am not expecting much since the Bucs never win in the cursed Creamsicle unis. The curse of Bucco Bruce lives. lol.
September 20th, 2025 at 5:18 pm
Never underestimate Todd Bowles’ ability to bring is team out flat and playing down to the level of opponent.
September 20th, 2025 at 5:29 pm
if we win we should forfeit week 4 lol
September 20th, 2025 at 5:51 pm
“In any event Sean Payton was te reason for that win.. he’s always had our number.“
We lost because the offense stunk up the joint. 11 possessions, 57 plays, 223 total yards of offense, 2 turnovers and 1 TD. Two drives > 50 yards, one we scored on and the other ended in an Otton fumble.
Sean Payton didn’t do anything fancy, he just ran plays in between us punting. Granted, the defense allowed 2 early TDs, but held Denver to 4 FGs for the rest of the game.
September 20th, 2025 at 6:04 pm
“Why should we forfeit week 4 if we beat the Jets?”
Because! We are a team on the mend. You would rather rush people back and play our franchise QB behind 3rd string/practice squad OL so he can get put on IR. Imagine a world where Evans, Mayfield, Diaby, and Irving go down for 6weeks + because we fielded some half arse team in an attempt to beat a team that isn’t even in our division. Better to shelve our stars and rest them for a week or two so we can give the rest our schedule our best. The goal is to get to the playoffs and then to win the SB. Stop thinking like Aints fans. Week 4 is NOT our SB!
September 20th, 2025 at 6:07 pm
I expect a run, run, run, then pass out if a run-look offense & a clamp-down/stop the run defense that will kill drives & make you pass in obvious passing downs.
If only Tristan were back, we’d have a Bill’s-like score.
September 20th, 2025 at 6:10 pm
Quit whining. Jets have six players out, three starters. Almost every teams roster gets challenged over the course of the season
September 20th, 2025 at 6:26 pm
Looking forward to the next man up dogfight culture and a dink, dunk, run pass option heavy offense and a blitz, blitz, blitz defense once the jets run game is neutralized LFG
September 20th, 2025 at 6:44 pm
WBL, quit being smarmy about our offense. Only 2 Tds and 4 field goals? So Denver scored on 6 possessions and scored 26 points? 26 points against puts us in the bottom 10% of the league. We win and lose as a team. I noticed that last year every loss had blame enough to go around. Enjoy the game tomorrow. Maybe the Jets rush can get home and cause Baker to throw a pick. You would enjoy that, wouldn’t you. Twit.
September 20th, 2025 at 6:59 pm
The Buc’s better come to play and play hard!! Home games always seem to be challenging for the Bucs!
September 20th, 2025 at 7:11 pm
O.K … here goes …
The Bucs have overcome quite a few of their “never-win” (or almost never-win) scenarios this season:
Last season, they only won one game when they didn’t score first (against the dreadfully bad Saints). This year, they didn’t score first in both of the first two games yet still won.
Last season, the Bucs couldn’t win a night game. They overcame that last week.
The Bucs have NEVER beaten the Texans in Houston. That is, until last week.
If offensive line woes are not enough of a concern, there’s a potentially hobbled Egbuka to add to the mix. Those are not their biggest problems, though. They are wearing the Creamsicles against the Jets and to the best of my knowledge, the Bucs have never won a game wearing the throwback Bucco Bruce jerseys.
One more curse to overcome …
September 20th, 2025 at 7:42 pm
@Kenton Smith
“Astute”. Thank you!
It was my way of politely saying I completely disagree, lol.
September 20th, 2025 at 7:50 pm
Kenton,
Grow up man.
September 20th, 2025 at 7:57 pm
WBL
Payton had his terrible team ready to play on the road against a 2-0 playoff team.
There’s a lot to be said for a coach who’s team doesn’t come out flat in a big game..
Don’t get me wrong Payton is an azzhole, but he is a motivator.
September 20th, 2025 at 8:49 pm
Jmark – the truth! Todd has a patent on having his team flat for games against inferior opponents.
September 20th, 2025 at 9:26 pm
We should bag a win 2morro…nice day to grill, chill, and watch the game!!!
September 20th, 2025 at 9:28 pm
WBL, I’ve got a son your age. About. Graduated in 2003 I believe. All State Honorable Mention QB. Won MVP of all State game. Got his Masters in Business. Many years with one of our country’s biggest companies. Fantastic wife and kids. I have the right to my opinions. I grew up too long ago but I’m young at heart and always will be. Sorry if I don’t suffer fools gladly. Don’t want to judge you kid but since I’ve coached hundreds of kids who are now about your age group I can’t help myself but give you a little advice. You need a bit of an attitude adjustment and you should start by looking in the mirror. I may be a tad mean but you’re petty. Negative, critical, and petty. Hope that helps young man. Now let’s put this behind us and cheer for our team.
September 20th, 2025 at 10:02 pm
Kenton,
I don’t come here for your life story or any of that other garbage you felt like sharing. You don’t know me, I’m not asking to know you and please, save your advice for people who place value in what you say. I don’t. Also hilarious of you to take the high ground or at least try, and be the adult in the room when you’re name calling. Real mature of you lol
September 20th, 2025 at 10:36 pm
Scotty Mack,
Not true. The Bucs beat the Packers back in 2010, Josh Freeman’s rookie year IIRC. It was also the first year the beloved Creamsicles throwbacks were donned by the Bucs. It was a rather epic game. Lost the rest of the games in them though…
September 20th, 2025 at 10:44 pm
WBL, no, it is not real mature of me. You’re dead right about that. Sorry for the name calling.
September 20th, 2025 at 11:23 pm
The arrogant but ignorant club has an extinct lizard and a delusional hall of fame name tossing clown. Special group,
September 20th, 2025 at 11:47 pm
Baker and the Bucs have not come close to playing their best football. Adapting to a new OC, injuries to Oline and WR’s JMac and CG14 have not helped. Also it was a mistake not giving Baker and the first team offense no preseason exposure. If the idea of all that was to limit injuries, it didn’t work.
Jets game needs to feature ME on quick 7 yard outs with an occasional out and up. Expect ME to see the ball a lot Sunday with a couple of TD’s. Also, look for Cade Otton and Payne Durham to see the ball more often. In a surprise move with EE unable to go expect Culp to be used as a wide out. Rachaad White will slow down pass rush with check down passes from Baker. Bucs win 33- 24.
September 20th, 2025 at 11:54 pm
The Bucs aren’t scoring 33, and if the defense gives up 24 to Tyrod it’s a big L.
Bucs need to hold the Jets to 9 points to have a chance, and since we know they’re gonna get 7 on their opening drive, that’s very unlikely.
September 21st, 2025 at 6:02 am
It would be great to see the Bucs blow-out the Jets on our home field while wearing the creamsicles today. 50th year anniversary celebrations!
The defense needs to place a lot of pressure on Tyrod today. Shake up his throws without penalties. Go Bucs!