With New York planning to play the majority of its starters tonight, Gang Green enters its preseason opener as a 5.5-point favorite over the visiting Buccaneers.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET on NFL Network—and our best bets side with Geno Smith and the Jets to cover and pull away with the victory.
Read more in my Buccaneers vs. Jets predictions & NFL picks for Friday, Aug. 14.
Buccaneers vs Jets predictions
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Who will win Buccaneers vs Jets: Jets -5.5
New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn has already announced a lot of starters will get playing time on Friday, and most notably, Geno Smith will be under center. That immediately gives New York an advantage, as the situation won't be the same for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Baker Mayfield will be watching from the sidelines, which means it'll likely be Jake Browning and rookie Jalon Daniels splitting the reps at quarterback. However, Browning did injure his back on Tuesday, so his status is uncertain. The Bucs have a lot of young players competing for roster spots, and Todd Bowles will want to give them a chance to prove their worth.
The Jets hold the clear edge here under their veteran signal-caller.
Buccaneers vs Jets Over/Under pick: Under 35.5
This total sits at 35.5, and I'm leaning Under. Even though the Jets' starters are expected to suit up, this game is still a preseason opener, meaning the first-team reps should be limited. Tampa Bay’s offense is also tough to trust with Mayfield sitting.
That could leave the Buccaneers leaning heavily on Daniels, which makes sustained scoring drives harder to project. New York boasts the cleaner side, but unless the Jets score a lot early, this game has a clearer path to staying under the number.
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Buccaneers vs Jets touchdown scorer pick: Jelani Woods
Tight end Jelani Woods has been getting extra camp opportunities with Kenyon Sadiq sidelined, and Jets coaches have talked up his size, athleticism, and mismatch ability. He also found the end zone during a recent scrimmage sequence, giving him the better camp-based TD case.
He should get targets on Friday evening, and could be one of Smith's top options in this contest. His physicality also gives him clear red-zone appeal, as he stands at 6-foot-7.
If New York finishes drives early, Woods is a strong touchdown candidate.
Buccaneers vs Jets live odds
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Buccaneers vs Jets weather
Weather at MetLife Stadium looks promising for Friday evening. There will be partly cloudy skies and temperatures falling from the low 80s around kickoff to the upper 70s by 9 p.m. ET. Winds are light around 4–6 mph, and rain chances stay modest. The weather shouldn't be a major factor.
How to watch Buccaneers vs Jets
| Location | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ |
| Date | Friday, Aug. 14, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 7 p.m. ET |
| TV | NFL Network |
Buccaneers vs Jets latest injuries
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