After starting the season with two wins on the road, the 2-0 Bucs come back to Raymond James Stadium this Sunday for their home opener against the 0-2 New York Jets. It'll be a special afternoon for Tampa Bay, as there will be plenty of festivities centered on the franchise's 50th season. That's the game theme for this home opener, which will feature the debut of the team's 1976 throwback uniforms.

Not only will the Bucs be looking to get to 10-3 in September games under head coach Todd Bowles while earning their first Week 3 win since 2020, but they'll also be looking for their first 3-0 start since 2005. It would be just the fifth 3-0 start in franchise history, and it would set the team up well heading into a big-time NFC showdown with the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles in Week 4.

As for the Jets, they come in with hopes of avoiding an 0-3 start under new head coach Aaron Glenn. This was already bound to be a tough matchup for a struggling New York team in the first year of what feels like another rebuild under a new coach, but it got even tougher when starting quarterback Justin Fields was ruled out due to a concussion. Journeyman backup Tyrod Taylor will start in his place as the Jets try to get Glenn his first win.

Let's dive into what might decide this matchup, as well as some key players to watch in the 2025 home opener for Tampa Bay:

What Might Decide This Bucs-Jets Matchup?

Perhaps the biggest factor that will decide this game on the Bucs' side of things is how well they can cope with the injury crisis they're currently dealing with. Star defensive tackle Calijah Kancey is out for the season with a torn pec, which is a big blow to the defense. But as big of a blow as that might be, the situation is somehow even more dire over on the offensive line, at least in the short term.

Of course, there is a long-term problem on the offensive line, too, as right guard Cody Mauch will miss the rest of the season. As bad as that is, the issue is compounded by the fact that the offensive line was already in flux. All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs is still working his way back from his knee injury, plus right tackle Luke Goedeke has a foot injury that will cost him at least the next four games. Mike Jordan, who has started the first two games at left guard, also missed Thursday's practice, so his status is another one to keep an eye on.

So, as things stand, the Bucs' offensive line for Sunday's game against the Jets may consist of Graham Barton (normally a center) at left tackle, Ben Bredeson (normally a left guard) at center and as many as three new starters stepping in. Charlie Heck will fill in for Goedeke at right tackle and even if Jordan does play, there's still the matter of filling the other hole at guard. That could mean Elijah Klein, Sua Opeta or potentially even the newly signed Dan Feeney coming in.

Bucs OC Josh Grizzard and QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

So, how well can Tampa Bay cope with all of those injuries up front? That's going to play a big role in this game, as offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard and quarterback Baker Mayfield will have to figure out what works with this lineup and get to those plays to open things up and score points.

It helps that the Bucs' backfield features one of the league's best 1-2 punches in Bucky Irving and Rachaad White. If Grizzard can find ways to get those guys the ball in open space, that could lead to some big plays for Tampa Bay. Look for those guys, as well as tight end Cade Otton and wide receiver Sterling Shepard, to get involved in the short passing game to potentially open things up down the field for Mike Evans and Emeka Egbuka, assuming Egbuka is healthy enough to suit up and play. If he can, you can bet he'll be a chain-mover for Mayfield and the offense the way Chris Godwin often is when he's on the field.

As for the Bucs defense, they need to make life difficult for Jets backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who is starting in place of Justin Fields (concussion). The four-man pass rush needs to get home with more regularity, but Todd Bowles called some timely blitzes last week and would benefit from doing so again on Sunday. The defense's first takeaway (and maybe its second… and third?) would also go a long way toward victory. Vita Vea needs to continue anchoring the team's dominant run defense, especially with a running back like Breece Hall to deal with.

Unfortunately, another area of concern and potential factor — positive or negative — for Tampa Bay is special teams. Chase McLaughlin can't miss any more kicks. Riley Dixon needs to get his punts off quicker. And the coverage units need to play much better. A big kick or punt return — like the punt return they got from Kameron Johnson in Week 1 — would also be helpful for the Bucs in this one.

Jets RB Breece Hall – Photo by: USA Today

On the Jets' side, Taylor simply has to find ways to get the ball to Hall and Garrett Wilson. Those are the only two guys on this New York offense who pose a legitimate threat to a defense, and if the Bucs manage to keep Hall in check and lock down Wilson, there's no hope for Taylor and the offense to get enough going to win on the road and avoid an 0-3 start under Aaron Glenn.

Taylor can make some plays with his legs, too, which could be a problem if the Bucs defense gives him space to extend plays and pick up free yards. But there isn't a whole lot to this New York offense right now, so its playmakers will need to come through and another one or two will have to emerge to keep this group in it.

The New York defense — while it is allowing an average of 32.0 points per game through two weeks — has more talent to worry about as far as Tampa Bay is concerned.

The front seven features defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, edge rushers Jermaine Johnson and Will McDonald IV and linebacker Jamien Sherwood. McDonald has two sacks in two games this year, while Williams has three tackles for loss. Johnson's status for Sunday's game is unclear as he is dealing with an ankle injury and didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday, so that's a big story to monitor heading into the weekend.

In the secondary, No. 1 cornerback Sauce Gardner could be a crucial factor in this game. It'll be interesting to see whether Glenn has him shadow Mike Evans all day or if Evans will see different looks throughout the afternoon.

Bucs HC Todd Bowles – Photo by: USA Today

Even with the injuries, the Bucs are the much more talented team in this matchup. But explosive plays and takeaways on one side or the other could alter the balance, and with both defenses failing to generate a takeaway through two games, either one earning its first on Sunday could play a role in the outcome.

There's also a bit of a desperation factor for the Jets. They're 0-2 with a close loss to the Steelers and a 20-point loss to the Bills. They'll be looking to do everything they can to avoid an 0-3 start under Glenn, their first-year head coach. Meanwhile, history is working against the Bucs in terms of them donning throwback uniforms, their struggles to win in Week 3 and the fact that they haven't started 3-0 in 20 years.

Is all of that enough to play a role? Probably not, but it's a storyline worth mentioning nonetheless. Tampa Bay broke both a primetime losing streak and a Houston losing streak last week. Now, Bowles' Bucs will be looking to reverse some more trends in Week 3.

Key Players To Watch

How about the effort Rachaad White gave the Bucs in Week 2? He was a non-factor in the season-opening win, but he was a crucial part of the win over Houston on Monday night. He ran for 65 yards and the game-winning touchdown on 10 carries, averaging a strong 6.5 yards per carry. But it was more than that. It was the fourth-year back selflessly jumping on a loose ball knowing he was going to take a shot. It was the way he hung tough in pass protection to give Baker Mayfield that extra bit of time to throw. He is such a key part of this offense, and he and Bucky Irving should be heavily featured come Sunday afternoon.

Bucs RB Rachaad White – Photo by: USA Today

On Tampa Bay's defense, let's focus on Vita Vea. Always a formidable force against the run, he'll need to once again come through in that area of the game this Sunday given the threat that Breece Hall is. He is the anchor of the Buccaneer defensive line, and oftentimes, his mere presence is enough to get teams to shy away from the run game. But there's more to his game than stuffing the run, and it would be great to see him rack up some pressures and possibly his first sack of the season this week. The line, and especially Vea, will miss Calijah Kancey. But life goes on, and Vea could come out and make a statement come Sunday.

Tyrod Taylor is certainly no pushover, and he's plenty capable of leading this Jets team into Raymond James Stadium and pulling off an upset. He's a 15-year veteran who has seen it all throughout stints with the Ravens, Bills, Browns, Chargers, Texans, Giants and Jets. He relieved Justin Fields late in last week's loss after Fields left with a concussion and went 7-of-11 for 56 yards and a touchdown while running three times for 21 yards. He can extend plays and facilitate well, and there'll be no panic in his game. That could prove to be a big boost to a desperate team looking to avoid an 0-3 start in a raucous road environment.

Jets CB Sauce Gardner – Photo by: USA Today

Sauce Gardner might be the key to this game for the Jets defense. New York has yet to come up with a takeaway this season, and Baker Mayfield has yet to throw an interception through two games (though he has come close several times). Gardner will be looming in coverage, and if he can pick off Mayfield and/or play tight coverage on Mike Evans and take him away, that could help the Jets limit a significant part of the Bucs passing game.