Preview, prediction, what to watch for in Week 3

An inside look at Sunday’s Jets-Buccaneers NFL Week 3 matchup at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla:  

Marquee matchup

Buccaneers WR Mike Evans vs. Jets CB Sauce Gardner

Gardner started off the season with a really strong performance against the Steelers but followed that up with a shakier one against the Bills.

Now, he faces one of the most consistent receivers in football with Evans.

Evans has posted at least 1,000 receiving yards in 11 consecutive seasons.

The 32-year-old has caught five passes in each of the Bucs’ first two games but has yet to score a touchdown this season.

Gardner, who followed Steelers star DK Metcalf in Week 1, should see plenty of Evans this week.

“I mean, he’s been in the league for a minute. You know what I’m saying? I used to watch him back then. So, you know, it’s just a great opportunity for me to be able to go against somebody like him,” Gardner said. “But, yeah, he’s been doing it for a minute at a high level, too. So, you know, I’m looking forward to that.”

The Jets also need to worry about rookie WR Emeka Egbuka, who has three touchdown receptions already.

Brandon Stephens figures to be the corner who sees more of Egbuka or Michael Carter II if Egbuka lines up in the slot.

Nevertheless, there is a chance Egbuka does not play after being listed as questionable.

Four downs

Woe and three: The Jets are trying to avoid their first 0-3 start since 2021.

The positive vibes after a close loss to the Steelers to open the season turned sour after the blowout loss to the Bills.

Though most fans did not have high expectations for this team, the way the lost last week was jarring.

But coach Aaron Glenn said the team is undeterred.

“Our guys are upbeat. They’re motivated,” Glenn said. “Here’s what they do know: It was Week 2, and the sky’s not falling. As much as we all think it is, as much as all the outside noise, as much as [reporters] write about that, the sky’s not falling. I’ve been a part of that situation before, so our guys can rely on that. A lot of our coaches have been a part of that situation before, and they can rely on that, and some of these players have, too. So, guys we are looking forward to moving on, 0-2, the sky’s not falling.”

Wrath of Todd: This will be Todd Bowles’ first game as a head coach against the Jets, his former team. Bowles coached the Jets from 2015-18 and led them to their most recent winning season in 2015, when the team went 10-6.

Bowles faced the Jets and beat them in 2021 as the Buccaneers defensive coordinator.

Bowles coached Glenn as an assistant with the Jets and the Cowboys, and Glenn called this game “personal” because of how close they are.

“I would acknowledge that he’s a really good friend, first and foremost,” Glenn said. “And then back that up with how good of a coach he is. Very knowledgeable. I’ve had plenty of opportunities at the combine, other place, to sit with him and just talk football. And he’s one of the coaches that he doesn’t hold anything back when it comes to information.”

Hurt line: The Buccaneers will be missing three starting offensive linemen in this one.

LT Tristan Wirfs is still recovering from a knee injury and has not played yet this season.

RT Luke Goedeke (foot) and RG Cody Mauch (knee) were injured last week and are now on injured reserve.

On paper, this should be a huge advantage for the Jets defensive line, which has a significant injury of its own with DE Jermaine Johnson (ankle) out.

The Jets should be able to get pressure on QB Baker Mayfield against so many backups.

Something has to give: The Jets have zero takeaways through two games and the Buccaneers have zero giveaways.

The Jets defense desperately needs to find a way to create some turnovers to help an offense that struggled last week and now has a backup quarterback.

Mayfield has thrown five touchdown passes and no interceptions in the first two games of the year.

“Here is one thing I do know when it comes to takeaways, we all know, we all hear it, and we all say it, that they come in bunches,” Glenn said. “It’s just we have to get that first one, and I do believe once we get that first one, they will come after that. And our guys, they’re working their ass off to get them.”

Costello’s call

The Jets have played one strong game and one sloppy one, and they’ve lost both.

I think this is a tough game, playing in muggy Florida in Tampa Bay’s home opener against a hot QB in Baker Mayfield and a motivated Todd Bowles. This one gets ugly.

Bucs 34, Jets 13