Chase McGloughlin’s last-second field goal caps a wild comeback victory for Tampa Bay, securing their perfect start despite a rollercoaster fourth quarter and a new-look offensive line.
TAMPA, Fla. – The Bucs go to 3-0 with a 29-27 win over the Jets on a Chase McGloughlin 36-yard field goal.
“It felt good,” McGloughlin said with a big smile on his face. “I think Todd (Bowles) said it best after the game. It doesn’t matter how you win in this league. As long as you get a win, being 3-0 feels really good.”
The Bucs were in control, leading 23-6, going into the final quarter. The Jets made a comeback led by quarterback Tyrod Taylor with two long touchdown drives to cut the deficit to 6. McGloughlin was set to put the Bucs up by 9, attempting a 43-yard field goal, but it was blocked by Will McDonald, who took it to the house to put the Jets up 27-26.
Once again, Baker Mayfield led the Bucs on a game winning drive going 48 yards to set up McGloughlin with the winning kick. Mayfield was doing it with a makeshift offensive line.
“That mentality, except you’re meeting guys during the week,” Mayfield said. “Welcome to the team/ that’s what we’re about. That’s how we do it.”
Tampa Bay was using two new players on the offensive line in guards Elijah Klien and Luke Haggard. Mayfield was only sacked once. The Bucs made plenty of mistakes, including being penalized 14 times for 124 yards. Bowles says they have to do better with that, but again, the win is what’s most important.
It’s important, it’s important to win in this league,” Bowles said. “A lot of teams be crying because they lost close games. We lost some last year, so we’re extremely happy about that.”
“When you’re playing an NFL team with a lot of penalties, it’s not exactly easy to sustain drives, but we won and that’s all that matters,” Mayfield said.
Tampa Bay got its first two defensive takeaways of the season in the first half. One was a Jamel Dean 55-yard interception return for a touchdown, giving the Bucs a 20-6 lead.
“It’s a great feeling, especially when you don’t see the end zone for a couple of years,” Dean said. Then you finally get in and say, “Ah, this is the moment I needed.”
Bucs star wide receiver Mike Evans left the game with a hamstring injury. Too early to tell how long he will be out. The Bucs host the Eagles next Sunday at 1 pm.
READ: A Banged-Up Tampa Bay Bucs Squad Is Banking On ‘Next Man Up’ Mentality
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