6 takeaways from the Jets’ Week 17 loss to the Buccaneers

Zach Wilson was on the verge of becoming the fifth Jets quarterback to defeat Tom Brady. Then, Mike LaFleur dialed up his worst play call as an offensive coordinator.

The Buccaneers took advantage to pull out a late 28-24 win.

New York had Tampa Bay on the ropes, but couldn’t close out a game in which it led by 14 points in the fourth quarter. The Jets have experienced their fair share of bad losses in 2021, but that was arguably the most excruciating of them all.

Here are six takeaways from New York’s Week 17 loss.

Mike LaFleur costs the Jets

AP Photo/Matt Ludtke

LaFleur called a good game until the contest was on the line. New York decided to go for it on 4th-and-2 — a questionable decision depending on one’s viewpoint — just before the two-minute warning. Up 24-20, LaFleur dialed up a quarterback option. Zach Wilson kept it and was stuffed at the line of scrimmage before Tom Brady drove the Buccaneers down the field to win the game.

Robert Saleh’s decision to go for it on fourth down wasn’t necessarily a bad one, but LaFleur’s play call was putrid. Saleh implied after the game that the Jets’ staff cost the team the game.

Zach Wilson came to play

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The performance the Jets have been waiting for out of Wilson came in Week 17. Wilson diced up a quality Buccaneers secondary, going 19-33 for 234 yards and a touchdown. New York’s rookie quarterback displayed pinpoint accuracy throughout the afternoon and his throws had some much-needed extra zip on them. Wilson grew up before Gang Green’s eyes against the Buccaneers. He looked like a veteran, not a rookie, going up against a team that is going to have a legitimate chance to make a deep run in the playoffs. The next step is closing a game like that out — and getting some help from his drop-prone receivers.

Another big game for Braxton Berrios

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Berrios was once again on his game as the Jets’ de facto No. 1 wide receiver, scoring two touchdowns in the first 17 minutes and finishing with eight receptions for 65 yards to go along with two carries for 12 yards. Berrios rushed in from one yard out to get the Jets on the board in the first quarter and extended their lead to 14-7 with a nine-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter. He’s proving why Joe Douglas should do everything in his power to make sure he doesn’t reach the open market this offseason.

Injury list grows longer

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The Jets suffered two major hits on offense against the Buccaneers, losing Michael Carter to a concussion evaluation and George Fant to a knee injury. Carter gashed Tampa Bay for a 55-yard run before exiting, while Fant gave way to Chuma Edoga, who promptly struggled at left tackle. New York has been snakebitten by injuries all season and that continued in Week 17.

Jets challenge the Buccaneers' strength

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Tampa Bay entered Week 17 ranked third in the NFL against the run. That did not deter the Jets from attacking on the ground, as they piled up 150 rushing yards and ran for 5.8 yards per carry. New York achieved success on the ground despite missing its top two rushers, which speaks to the job the offensive line did against a stout Buccaneers front four. It doesn’t make much sense why LaFleur turned away from his running backs on 4th-and-2 with the way Ty Johnson and Austin Walter were running.

Rookie cornerbacks step up

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Michael Carter II and Brandin Echols somehow found a way to achieve success working against the greatest quarterback of all time. Carter II got to Brady for a sack in the second quarter, while Echols picked him off just before halftime. Echols was up-and-down in coverage throughout the afternoon, but his interception ended a Buccaneers scoring threat and led to Jets points just before the half. Both of New York’s rookie cornerbacks can say they played well against Brady, which is not something a lot of young players get the chance to boast.

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