Baker Mayfield Leads Buccaneers to Thrilling 29–27 Victory Over Jets

Jason Behnken/AP

TAMPA, Fla. — Baker Mayfield once again proved his mettle as Tampa Bay’s field general, orchestrating a last-minute comeback to lift the Buccaneers over the New York Jets, 29–27, on Sunday. The dramatic win pushes Tampa Bay to a 3–0 start for the first time since 2005 and extends their status as one of the NFL’s most resilient squads in 2025.

Chase McLaughlin sealed the victory with a 36-yard field goal as time expired, capping a wild finish that saw the winless Jets erase a 17-point deficit in the fourth quarter. Mayfield calmly led the Buccaneers on a final drive after McLaughlin had a previous 43-yard attempt blocked and returned for a touchdown by Will McDonald, which had temporarily put New York ahead with just under two minutes remaining. “I loved it,” Mayfield said postgame. “It was also their defensive coordinator who cut me in Carolina, so a lot of stuff was personal today.” The Jets’ current defensive coordinator, Steve Wilks, was interim head coach for the Panthers in 2022 when Mayfield was released.

Mayfield, who finished 19 of 29 for 233 yards and a touchdown, has now delivered game-winning drives in the final minute of each of the Buccaneers’ three victories this season. According to the Associated Press, Tampa Bay is the first team in the Super Bowl era to secure victories in the final minute of regulation in each of its first three games.

Mike Evans caught a 5-yard touchdown from Mayfield before exiting with a hamstring injury. The Bucs' special teams and defense also played a pivotal role—McLaughlin hit five field goals (54, 33, 28, 55, and 36 yards), and cornerback Jamel Dean returned an interception of Jets quarterback Tyrod Taylor 55 yards for a touchdown. Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. added a forced fumble and one of Tampa Bay’s four sacks on the day. For the Jets, Taylor filled in for the injured Justin Fields (concussion) and performed admirably, completing 26 of 36 passes for 197 yards and two touchdowns. He connected with Garrett Wilson for an 11-yard score and Allen Lazard from four yards out, both in the fourth quarter. Wilson finished with 10 receptions for 84 yards.

Despite their late-game surge, the Jets fell to 0–3, making it the third time in six seasons they’ve started winless through three games. First-year head coach Aaron Glenn joined a list of Jets coaches—including Robert Saleh, Adam Gase, and Lou Holtz—who began their tenures 0–3. “There’s no such thing as moral victories when it comes to us,” Glenn said. “We’re going to go to work next week, look at the things we need to fix, and we’re going to hone in on that.” The Buccaneers celebrated the win during their home opener by donning their classic white creamsicle uniforms and welcoming over 100 former players, including Steve Spurrier and Hall of Famers Derrick Brooks, Warren Sapp, and Ronde Barber.

Injury updates included Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner briefly exiting with a head injury but returning after passing concussion protocol. Linebacker Quincy Williams (shoulder) did not return. Tampa Bay lost defensive lineman Logan Hall (groin) and safety Christian Izien (quad) during the game.

The Jets will look to regroup next Monday night when they travel back to Florida to face the also-winless Miami Dolphins. Tampa Bay, meanwhile, will prepare for their toughest test yet as they host the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.