Who’s to say the New York Jets aren’t a dysfunctional, sinking ship right now, just as they have been for years? They dropped a heart-breaker in the season opener when Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers beat them in the waning moments. The disappointment carried into Week 2, and the Buffalo Bills emasculated them in a 30-10 loss.

Now they have to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have gotten off to a 2-0 start but are also coming off an appearance on Monday Night Football. 

NFL betting odds on the Buccaneers-Jets game

At BetOnline, the Bucs are laying points on the road: 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers -6.5 (-114)
New York Jets +6.5 (-106)

Over 43.5 Points -110
Under 43.5 Points -110

Fields – gone for the time being 

The Jets got banged around by Buffalo, managing just 154 yards and striking out on all eleven of their third down attempts. Along the way they also lost quarterback Justin Fields, who did not shine while he was upright (3-of-11, 27 yards) and had to leave the game with a concussion. 

Fields was replaced with Tyrod Taylor, who will also start this game. The 36-year-old has experience, naturally, but he’s seen better days, and he is no longer a very dynamic performer. 

How will the new QB change the Jets’ plan? 

In this contest, the Jets will need the ground game they have touted so much. But you know, this looks like a screwed-up bunch of guys in Kelly Green. 

Aaron Glenn is another of those guys who came along with a message about “changing the culture” after a 14-year playoff drought. But there are still things like stupid penalties. 

The Jets do not have enough wide receivers; in fact, Garrett Wilson had four of the five catches that went to wideouts vs. the Bills. And where in the world was Braelon Allen, the promising running back who, at the very least, gives them impressive depth in the backfield?

“We’re not going to waver,” said Glenn. “Not one bit.” 

The Bucs – not a well-oiled machine yet 

Tampa Bay is still not at full strength offensively. The Bucs will be missing Chris Godwin for another few weeks. They have had to compensate for the loss of All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs and have listed right tackle Luke Goedecke as questionable. 

Baker Mayfield, who had 41 touchdown passes last year, has not been spectacular, but has tossed five TD’s without an interception. And he’s a leader. Three of his touchdowns have gone to tookie Emeka Egbuka, who BetOnline has tagged as the +325 favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year. 

Tampa Bay has not necessarily shown a lot of results on the ground, but with a guy like Bucky Irving, they can do it. And the Jets allowed 225 rushing yards to the Bills last Sunday.

So what will happen in the Bucs-Jets game?

Say what you want about Justin Fields, but at least he’s a guy who can run around a lot and make things happen. When it comes to Taylor, we’re not so sure about that. 

Tampa Bay has been an efficient group thus far.  And Egbuka is benefiting from extra attention paid to Mike Evans. Sauce Gardner can’t cover both.

At the same time, their ability to pull away is something we have questions about.

THE PLAY: UNDER 43.5 POINTS

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