Buccaneers: Three Soft Spots in the 2017 Schedule

Week 13 vs. New York Jets

It has been a few years since the New York Jets faced off against the Bucs. The last time was the 2013 season opener, which was the NFL debut for Geno Smith. In a highly-contested battle, the Jets won 18-17 on a late field goal by our new friend, Nick Folk. Hey, Jason Licht knew what he was doing when he brought Folk in to compete with Roberto Aguayo. Jets fans didn’t call him “Folk Hero” for nothing.

This one has stuck out for months. It stuck out since we learned that the Bucs would be taking on the AFC East this year. New York is in a rebuilding phase, even if coach Todd Bowles refuses to admit it. Star veterans are gone. Brandon Marshall, Nick Mangold, Darrelle Revis are green history. In their place are young players that the team hopes will set the team going the right way, but it will take some time.

Eric Decker is there as of the writing of this post. Some in New York believe, however, that he too will be gone once he is healthy. Sheldon Richardson has a decent shot at being traded prior to the draft. Matt Forte is still there, but he will be running behind a very young offensive line. None of them are older than 28. Will they come together? Possibly, but it will take time.

And they continue their age-old search for a quarterback. They don’t know yet if Christian Hackenberg or Bryce Petty can make it with the big boys. If not, they have Josh “turnovers” McCown to start as the veteran “bridge” quarterback. Sam Darnold may be in their future, but a win over the Bucs isn’t likely. This one should put the team in a good mood heading into the bye.