The Buccaneers and Jets are two ships passing in the night. Tom Brady, the G.O.A.T., has retired after a successful three-year stint for the Bucs that included hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in 2021 after an amazing 20-year stint for the Patriots.
The Jets are attempting to follow a similar blueprint after trading for future Hall of Famer and multi-time MVP Aaron Rodgers, ending Rodgers’ 18-year tenure in Green Bay.
The Jets and Bucs enter this week’s contest on the heels of vastly different performances last week, with New York trouncing the Panthers and the Bucs taking it on the chin against the Steelers. This piece will sift through the noise and utilize previous preseason data to attempt to make profitable betting selections.
Buccaneers vs Jets Odds
NFL odds used for this Tampa Bay vs New York preview were found at FanDuel Sportsbook and are current as of Tuesday, Aug. 15, at 5:30 pm ET.
- Moneyline: NYJ (-130) • TB (+110)
- Spread: NYJ -2.0 (-110) • TB +2.0 (-110)
- Total Points: Over 36.5 (-110) • Under 36.5 (-110)
- Implied Score: NYJ 19.25, TB 17.25
Buccaneers vs Jets Predictions
Score Pick: Jets 24, Buccaneers 17
The Jets steamrolled the Panthers last week, beating them 27-0. A stellar showing in the preseason wasn’t surprising for Gang Green under the leadership of Robert Saleh.
According to Covers, Saleh is 6-1-1 on the moneyline and 6-2 against the spread in eight preseason games as New York’s head coach.
Last week’s shutout victory was a nice rebound from a loss in the Hall of Fame Game. Still, playing the extra game, opening the preseason in the Hall of Fame Game, might have helped them shine last week and could help them this week, too.
At a time when teams are searching for chemistry and rapport with new personnel, the extra game reps can pay dividends.
Todd Bowles is at the other end of the spectrum from Saleh in the preseason. He’s 3-5 on the moneyline and 3-5 against the spread in eight preseason games. Moreover, Bowles is 0-4 on the moneyline and ATS in his previous four games.
He hasn’t won a preseason game as the head coach of the Bucs, and last week’s 27-17 loss to the Steelers didn’t provide optimism for Bowles earning his first preseason victory as Tampa Bay’s head coach this week.
Buccaneers vs Jets Best Bets & Props
Jets -2 (-110)
FanDuel Sportsbook • WAGER: 0.25 Units
The preseason median and average scoring margins for Saleh and Bowles point to the Jets winning by more than two points this week. Furthermore, while the Bucs play musical chairs to evaluate their quarterback, starting Kyle Trask this week after giving Baker Mayfield the nod last week, New York’s defense should be the best single unit in this contest.
According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Gang Green’s defense had nine quarterback hurries, two hits, and five sacks. Their ability to generate pressure should be the difference in this game.
Jets Win by 1-13 (+155)
FanDuel Sportsbook • WAGER: 0.5 Units
Preseason data for the NFL, Saleh, and Bowles are all exciting for betting on the Jets to win by 1-13 points.
First, the median and average scoring margin in Week 2 of the preseason in 2021 were 6.5 and 12.6 points, they were 9 and 8.4 in the preseason Week 2 in 2022, and they were 6 and 9.8 through 17 games in the preseason in 2023.
Saleh’s median and average scoring margins were +4.5 and +6.4 points, while Bowles’ median and average scoring margins were -6 and -4.4 points. So, with everything aligning, this is the NFL pick of the day.
Over 36.5 Points (-110)
FanDuel Sportsbook • WAGER: 0.25 Units
In Saleh’s preseason games as the head coach of the Jets, they’ve averaged 23.5 points per game, yielded 17.1 points per game, and gone Over the total six times. Meanwhile, in Bowles’s eight preseason games as a head coach, his teams have scored 17.4 points per game and surrendered 21.8 points per game.
The Jets should do the heavy lifting for the game’s over. However, Greg Auman from FOX Sports says that the Bucs are likely to play their players more since they only have one joint practice with the Jets is encouraging for Tampa Bay’s chance to chip in and get the game’s total over the hump.
Buccaneers vs Jets Same Game Parlay
There aren’t any same-game parlays available at the time of writing.
