Buccaneers vs. Jets Point Spread: NFL Pre-Season Week 2 Odds, Prediction
The New York Jets are back in action on Saturday night when they host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2 NFL pre-season action. The Jets followed up a loss in the annual Hall of Fame game with a 27-0 shutout victory in Carolina last week, while Tampa Bay is coming in off a 27-17 home loss against the Steelers.
New York is a 3.5-point favourite to win on the NFL odds, with the total sitting at 37.0
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Jets and Bucs haven’t met since Week 17 of the 2021 regular season. Tampa Bay came out of that game with a 28-24 win. Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady threw for 410 yards and three touchdowns and New York pivot Zach Wilson finished with 234 passing yards and a touchdown. Brady has since retired, while Wilson has been relegated to a backup role.
Tampa Bay was shutout in the pre-season last year, recording losses against the Dolphins, Titans and Colts. Including last week’s loss, Bucs head coach Todd Bowels has a 7-13 career record in the pre-season.
The Jets have five wins and one tie across their last two pre-season’s. They were a perfect 3-0 in 2022, recording dubs against the Eagles, Falcons and Giants. New York head coach Robert Saleh’s career pre-season record stands at 6-1-1 heading into Week 2 of the 2023 pre-season.
There are high expectations for the Jets this season. They have the second-best odds to win the AFC East at +246 and they are +893 to win the AFC outright. New York’s Super Bowl odds sit at +1528, while their regular season win total is set at 9.5.
Based on the odds, there are tough times ahead in Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers have the longest odds to win the NFC South at +803 and they are heavy +4250 underdogs to win the NFC outright. Tampa is +8770 to win the Super Bowl, while their regular season win total is set at a dismal 6.5.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers’ quarterback battle continues in Week 2 of the pre-season after Baker Mayfield received the start in Week 1 and completed eight of nine pass attempts for 63 yards and a touchdown. Mayfield and Kyle Trask, a second-round pick in 2021, are battling for the full-time starters role. Trask, who completed six of 10 pass attempts for 99 yards and an interception last week, will get the start on Saturday. Third-stringer John Wolford will also get some reps after completing 10 of 17 pass attempts for 111 yards and a touchdown last week.
It was tough news for Tampa Bay this week as it was announced wide receiver Russell Gage will miss the entire season after suffering a knee injury in practice on Wednesday. Gage, who had 51 catches for 426 yards and a career-high five touchdowns last season, was expected to be the No. 3 option behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. With Gage out, second-year receiver Deven Thompkins and sixth-round pick Trey Palmer should get a lot of looks over the next two pre-season games.
New York Jets
Despite resting most of their starters, including off-season addition Aaron Rodgers, the Jets came away with a convincing shutout victory last week in Carolina. Wilson completed 14 of 20 pass attempts for 123 yards and a touchdown, while Tim Boyle completed nine of 10 pass attempts for 84 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. New York will likely follow the same quarterback rotation on Saturday.
The Jets also continue to add to their win-now roster after signing veteran running back Dalvin Cook this week. The four-time Pro Bowler is expected to split time with Breece Hall this season, although neither player will suit up on Saturday. Cook is working his way back from off-season shoulder surgery, while Hall practiced this week for the first time since undergoing ACL surgery last October.
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