The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the New York Jets in a 29-27 thriller and became the first team in NFL history to start 3-0 with a game-winning score in the final minute of each game.
Tampa Bay appeared to have the win sealed, building a commanding 26-13 lead with under four minutes remaining. But in true Bucs fashion, that would have been too easy.
Instead, the Buccaneers collapsed down the stretch, including surrendering a blocked field goal that was returned for a touchdown to give the Jets a 27-26 lead with less than two minutes left.
That only set the stage for Baker Mayfield, who thrives in chaos. The quarterback drove the offense into field-goal range with ease, setting up Chase McLaughlin’s game-winner as time expired.
Mayfield did the same in Weeks 1 and 2 — throwing a last-minute touchdown to Emeka Egbuka in the opener against Atlanta and directing a final-seconds touchdown drive Monday night against Houston.
Those clutch performances have pushed Mayfield into the early MVP conversation, as he continues to overcome injuries to his offensive line and receiving corps to lead Tampa Bay’s improbable 3-0 start.
Sunday’s game had no business going down to the wire, and coach Todd Bowles admitted the Buccaneers must develop a killer instinct to put opponents away.
The importance of starting 3-0 and giving themselves some cushion can’t be overstated. The Buccaneers are about to embark on a brutal four-game stretch, all against playoff contenders, taking on the Eagles, Seahawks, 49ers, and Lions over the next four weeks .
For now, though, the cardiac Bucs live to see another day, expanding their NFC South lead and taking comfort in a quarterback unfazed by pressure and consistently elevates his game when it matters most.
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