The Buccaneers (2-6) return to Raymond James Stadium on Sunday afternoon for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff against the New York Jets (4-5). Here, we preview the matchup and tell you where to watch and listen to it.
Well, the Buccaneers are at a new low. They are on a five-game losing streak, have a hurt quarterback and will also be missing their star receiver this week. Said quarterback and receiver (Jameis Winston and Mike Evans) were involved in last Sunday’s altercation in New Orleans. Winston was fined, while Evans also received a suspension. That’s all frustrating, but at least whoever makes jersey decisions remembered there is more than just the white jersey. The Bucs are finally wearing red again. Thank goodness.
The New York Jets are in town on Sunday afternoon. Heading into the 2017 season, this game looked like a cakewalk for the Bucs. That’s not the case anymore. The Jets are surprisingly competent this year and the Bucs are the most disappointing team in the NFL. Tampa Bay is winless since Oct. 1, while New York is fresh off a 34-21 win over Buffalo.
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At this point in the season, it’s very possible that Bucs head coach Dirk Koetter is coaching to save his job. He had a promising 9-7 record last year, but falling flat this year killed any good will he built up. Tampa Bay expected a winner this year, but instead received more of the same. The defense isn’t where it was at the end of last year. And surprisingly, the offense is looking just as bad. At 2-6, there isn’t a whole lot left to play for, but the Bucs need some sort of fight to gain back at least some favor from their fans.
Revenge games are a big theme heading into Sunday. Josh McCown, who spent 2014 with the Bucs, returns to Tampa for the first time since then. One of his top targets is tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins, who was cut by Tampa Bay after a DUI last year. On the other side is Ryan Fitzpatrick. With Winston out, he will take on the team that he led in 2015 and 2016. It seems like the Bucs always get the wrong end of revenge games, but maybe they can benefit from one this time around.
Both teams field defenses that are in the bottom ten of the league when it comes to total defense. Despite their recent struggles, the Bucs are thirteenth in total offense. The Jets are 22nd. Records aside, Tampa Bay has the more talented team. But talent isn’t translating to wins right now, so it’s no wonder that New York is favored by two and a half points on the road at the time of writing. The Jets are 6-2-1 against the spread this year, while the Bucs are just 1-6-1.
The last time these two teams met was in week one of the 2013 season. The Bucs held a late lead, but lost 18-17 in the game’s final seconds. A (questionable?) late hit out of bounds by Lavonte David set up a game-winning field goal for the Jets. The 48-yarder was kicked by none other than Nick Folk. New York leads the all-time regular season series 10-1, with a 3-1 advantage in Tampa. The Jets hold an eight-game winning streak over the Bucs.
Next: Buccaneers vs Jets: Game-changers for Week 10
Where to Watch
CBS will have the broadcast for Sunday’s game. Play-by-play duties will go to Kevin Harlan, who is joined by analyst Rich Gannon. Otis Livingston will have reports from the sideline.
Where to Listen
As usual, 98Rock (97.9 FM) will air the game in the Tampa Bay area. Gene Deckerhoff (play-by-play), Dave Moore (color) and T.J. Rives (sideline) will call the game. For more radio options around the state of Florida, check here. Buccaneers.com and the Buccaneers mobile app will also carry the game.
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Satellite radio subscribers can hear the Tampa Bay broadcast on XM 229. The New York broadcast will air on XM Internet 823.
For in-game and postgame coverage of Sunday’s game, follow @ThePewterPlank on Twitter.