Sunday, Sept 28 | 4:15 PM
The Jets came into Sunday as one of seven undefeated teams, while the Buccaneers were aiming to claw their way back to .500.
New York received the opening kickoff, and Vinny Testaverde led a confident first drive. Balancing a sharp passing attack with a well-timed run game, he hit Curtis Martin out of the backfield, Wayne Chrebet for 18 yards on the sideline, and Laveranues Coles deep for 26 yards—getting the Jets to the Bucs’ 23-yard line in just five plays. Richie Anderson added 5 yards, and then Martin punched it in with runs of 11 and 7 yards. The ball just broke the plane before John Lynch laid a punishing hit, but the touchdown stood. Jets up 7-0.
Unfazed, Sean King and the Bucs responded efficiently. Mike Alstott rumbled for a first down up the middle, and just two plays later, King launched a 67-yard bomb to Keyshawn Johnson, tying the game at 7-7.
Starting at their 25-yard line, the Jets kept rolling. Hayes hauled in a 22-yard pass for a first down, and Martin added 6 more. As the first quarter ended, Testaverde hit another 9-yard bullet to keep the chains moving. But just as they approached the red zone, Testaverde threw a ball directly to John Lynch—ending the drive with a costly interception.
The Bucs began to build momentum. Alstott continued to contribute in both the run and pass game, and Rabih Abdullah added another first down. Facing a 3rd and 7, King hit Jacquez Green for 21 yards down the sideline, moving Tampa Bay into the red zone. With under a minute to go in the half, Alstott made a ridiculous sideline grab to push them to the 11-yard line. After an incompletion to Patrick Hape in the end zone and a short run by Dunn, Martin Grammatica nailed a chip-shot field goal. Bucs led 10-7.
With 32 seconds left, the Jets struck back. Kevin Stone’s 34-yard return gave them strong field position. Testaverde hit Chrebet for 27 yards, plus a facemask penalty moved the ball to the Bucs’ 35. A 28-yard bomb to Coles put them on the 7-yard line, and Martin powered in his second TD on a left-side toss. In just a matter of a seconds the Jets took a 14-10 lead into halftime.
Halftime Stats
- NYJ Total Yards: 267 (148 Pass, 35 Rush, 84 ST)
- TB Total Yards: 181 (116 Pass, 26 Rush, 39 ST)
- Time of Possession: NYJ 6:27, TB 3:33
- Key Players:
- Vinny Testaverde: 9/13, 148 yds, 1 INT
- Curtis Martin: 7 rush, 35 yds, 2 TD; 2 rec, 13 yds
- Sean King: 7/12, 116 yds, 1 TD
- Keyshawn Johnson: 1 rec, 61 yds, 1 TD
Second Half
The Bucs received the ball and started hot. Warrick Dunn pulled in a diving sideline reception, then picked up 14 more on the next play. King found McDonald for 33 yards, moving the Bucs into the red zone. But on 3rd and 9, Ogbugu dropped Dunn for a 3-yard loss, and Grammatica missed a 39-yard field goal wide right.
Testaverde immediately found Anthony Becht for a 62-yard catch and run. Martin finished the job with two straight runs totaling 16 yards and his third touchdown of the day. Jets extended the lead to 21-10.
Back came the Bucs. King hit Green for 14 yards, but Otis Smith’s sack pushed them back. On 3rd and 14, King delivered under pressure—hitting Alstott for 31 yards. Then he connected with Reidel Anthony for 25 more, setting up a 4-yard TD pass to Keyshawn Johnson. Tampa Bay failed the two-point try, keeping it 21-16.
As the fourth quarter began, the Jets leaned fully on Curtis Martin. He ran for 8, then 9, then 4, then 1—pounding the Bucs front seven. Facing 3rd and 5 at the two-minute warning, Testaverde hit Chrebet for 12 yards and a crucial first down.
Martin resumed the onslaught. He rushed for 3, 5, and 2 yards, then converted a critical 4th and 1 with a 6-yard gain. On the next play, he broke off a 13-yard run, followed by 4 more. Finally, with 15 seconds left, he dashed 10 yards into the end zone—his fourth rushing TD of the game.
King hit Green for 29 yards on the Bucs’ last play, but it was too little, too late.
Final Score: Jets 28, Buccaneers 16
End of Game Stats
- NYJ Total Yards: 443 (222 Pass, 115 Rush, 106 ST)
- TB Total Yards: 412 (280 Pass, 28 Rush, 104 ST)
- Time of Possession: NYJ 10:53, TB 9:07
- 3rd Down Efficiency: NYJ 83% (5/6), TB 60% (3/5)
Standout Performers
- Curtis Martin: 21 carries, 115 yds, 4 TDs; 2 rec, 13 yds
- Vinny Testaverde: 11/16, 222 yds, 1 INT
- Sean King: 15/22, 266 yds, 2 TDs
- Keyshawn Johnson: 2 rec, 65 yds, 2 TDs
- Mike Alstott: 4 rec, 48 yds; 4 rush, 24 yds
The Jets move to 4-0 for the first time in franchise history. Curtis Martin’s 65-yard final drive—highlighted by 10 punishing runs and 3 first downs—chewed the clock and crushed Tampa Bay’s hopes of a comeback pushing them deeper into an early season hole at 1-3. A statement road win to stay undefeated.
Bro, what a game! Curtis Martin went absolutely sicko mode on the Bucs defense. FOUR TDs? 🤯 Absolute unit. Testaverde looked like peak Madden franchise mode — minus that INT, but hey, even I’ve thrown a few of those 😅. Bucs thought they had it with Keyshawn doing his dope catch thing, but nah, Jets were like “LMAO nah fam.” Jets going 4-0? That’s a parallel universe. Call your mom, we livin’ in the Matrix 🔥. Bucs gonna throw hands if they can’t climb outta that hole. Honestly, I could run their offense better in my sleep. #PlayStationGang #MaddenGOAT
AHHH, THE JETS ACTUALLY PULLED IT OFF! BACK IN MY DAY, THEY’D FIND A WAY TO LOSE THAT ONE AFTER LETTING THE BUC’S HANG AROUND TOO LONG. CURTIS MARTIN LOOKING LIKE A BEAST OUT THERE, NOT TOO MANY CARRIES BUT STILL MAKES A STATEMENT! FOUR TOUCHDOWNS?! THAT’S REAL OLD SCHOOL FOOTBALL RIGHT THERE—RUN THE BALL, RUN THE CLOCK, AND WEAR DOWN THE DEFENSE. VINNY T DOING HIS THING, DECENT YARDAGE, EVEN WITH THAT PICK—IT HAPPENS! NO DINK AND DUNK, JUST GOOD OL’ PIGSKIN TOSSIN’. AND KEYSHAWN—WHY’D WE EVER LET HIM GO! ALWAYS A SHOW STOPPER WHEN HE’S ON. the way they brought it home IN THE FOURTH QUARTER, WHEN IT COUNTS, IS THE KIND OF STUFF WE NEED MORE OF THESE DAYS. NO REAL DEFENSE ANYMORE, EVERYONE’S WIDE OPEN ACROSS THE FIELD. THAT WOULDN’T HAVE FLOWN WITH BUTKUS OR LAMBERT ON THE FIELD. NO SIR. FOOTBALL NEEDS MORE GRIT, LESS FLASH. LET’S SEE THIS ROLL CONTINUE! J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS!
Let me kick things off with the only thing that matters: CURTIS. FREAKING. MARTIN. Four touchdowns and a victory lap over Tampa Bay’s hopes? Absolutely glorious! If there’s any doubt left about Martin’s MVP-worthy status, then you probably root for the Dolphins or something equally tragic.
The Jets offense was on a mission from the get-go, seemingly inspired by a higher power or maybe just the ongoing nightmare that is Vinny Testaverde. Vinny, dear Vinny, how do I describe your play without sounding like I’m auditioning to narrate a Greek tragedy? The curse of our hearts, managing to elegantly swing between brilliance (like those deep passes) and existential dread (that interception to Lynch was a modern art piece of agony).
But let’s keep this cheerful since we actually won! The defense held up, Chrebet and Coles caught everything except feelings, and we walked out with a perfect 4-0 record. In short, the spotlight is – rightfully – on Curtis Martin, and Vinny managed to escape without making us all question our existence.
Next up, it’s time to build Curtis Martin a shrine outside Giants Stadium and treat that guy like the gridiron god he is. Meanwhile, I’ll pray for a Testaverde epiphany—one without turnovers. The struggles of a die-hard fan never end, but today at least, we celebrate! 🗽✈️
Wow, this game was a masterclass in clock management and ground-and-pound football. Folks love to talk QBs, but Curtis Martin and the Jets’ O-line were the real MVPs, executing textbook iso and power runs. You had to appreciate Martin’s vision and patience, letting his blocks develop before hitting the hole with authority. I’m telling you, that’s RB technique at its finest.
But let’s talk about the defensive breakdowns. When you look at TB, they let Vinny Testaverde move the ball far too easily on crucial downs. The deep connections, like that 62-yarder to Becht, are a clinic in countering man-under coverage with crossing routes. Watch for zone coverage mismatches; that’ll bite you every time. It’s like no one was considering dropping the Mike back into deeper zones, shifting coverage on the second level.
Jets keeping the ball away from Tampa using standard blocking schemes was just…chef’s kiss. You can’t underestimate how a sound strategy, like curbing blitz with max protection and conservative offensive play-calling, can dictate the pace. More than anything, it was a brilliant use of game tempo and situational football. So, next time someone chats about how clean coverage beats a power run every time, point them to this game as an example of why ground games still matter in this sport.
And there we have it, folks! Another “coincidence” in the NFL’s shocking and completely unpredictable storyline: 🙄 The JETS undefeated at 4-0, of course! Curtis Martin bulldozing the Bucs like he’s in a blockbuster movie! CHECK THE TAPE! The bigger picture is CLEAR as day—NFL needs a “comeback kid” scenario and the JETS are their newest pet project! Don’t forget the INTERCEPTION by John Lynch at 1Q 11:59, a conveniently missed FLAG on the post-interception action (CLEAR helmet to helmet if you ask me 🤔). WAKE UP! Connecting dots here: The “underrated” season narrative for the Jets is just too perfect! Look how the league props up Sean King with those beautiful plays! BUCS can’t close on those field goals?! Which crew officiated this wonder of a game? Can’t help but see shades of the Super Bowl XXXIII officiating team, the one with key non-calls that made Chuck Noll roll in his grave! This game wasn’t just football—it’s a chapter straight from the SCRIPT! WAKE UP SHEEPLE 🐑! The NFL wants drama and boy, did they script it right. #NFLTheatre #NotJustFootball
Wow, what a game! The Jets are on fire, baby! 4-0—first time ever. Can’t believe how good Vinny and Curtis are playing. Martin is just unstoppable with those 4 TDs. Tampa Bay didn’t stand a chance, especially with how our defense stepped up when it mattered. Super Bowl, here we come! J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets! 🏈 #Believe
What a game! The Jets are absolutely unstoppable this season. We’re sitting at 4-0, baby, for the first time EVER! Curtis Martin was an absolute beast out there with his 4 TDs. Just goes to show the heart and drive he’s got. And Testaverde? He was slinging it like vintage Broadway Joe, forget the INT.
Those Bucs thought they’d pull a fast one on us, but guess what? Not today! Great to see our defense hold them off just enough. But let’s be real—what’s up with the officiating?! Some of those calls were suspect, as usual. Like clockwork, they’re trying to hold us back, but we won’t be denied. We’re headed straight to the top, and nobody’s stopping this green and white freight train.
Jets Nation, we stick together, through thick and thin. Bring on the next challenger, we’re ready. J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS!
Ah, the sweet taste of a Jets victory! Let me just get my weekly therapy out of the way:
CURTIS. FREAKING. MARTIN.
Is there anything this man can’t do? 21 carries, 115 yards, 4 touchdowns. The man ran like he had a premonition that only the Jets’ faithful could truly grasp. A legend in cleats!
The opening drive was a thing of beauty. Martin, Chrebet, and Coles making Testaverde look like he’d finally grasped the basics of leadership. But lest we get ahead of ourselves, Vinny did his usual and delivered a nice little souvenir to John Lynch. It’s like he’s contractually obligated to give us all heart attacks at least once per game.
Meanwhile, the Bucs tried to play catch-up. And as much as Keyshawn tried to remind us of what we once had, Curtis was like the plot twist that kept us on our toes. Four TDs, folks! That’s a Curtis for you.
But let’s not forget Vinny. The man somehow threw for 222 yards, but that one interception? Like clockwork. I’m convinced he thinks each game is a new slate, but doesn’t realize he’s writing essays on “How to Make Jets Fans Unnecessarily Sweaty.”
In the end, we’re 4-0. I know, a lot to process, but trust me, I’ve checked the realities. Jets fans, close your eyes for a moment and just revel in Curtis Martin’s brilliance. And Vinny, dear Jekyll and Hyde, let’s keep those end-game pick-offs to a minimum, yeah?
Here’s to hoping the Testaverde rollercoaster remains somewhat level next week — or at least doesn’t derail entirely. Let’s gladly savor this win and hold onto the feeling for as long as we dare. J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets!