Buccaneers vs. Jets: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Time and Predictions
By Chris Roling
Aug 24, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) steps out of bounds to avoid a safety in the fourth quarter against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Munson/The Star-Ledger via USA TODAY Sports
Every matchup in Week 1 of the 2013 NFL season has its fair share of storylines, but perhaps none are bigger than the one between the New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers with cornerback Darelle Revis returning to face his old team in MetLife Stadium.
Revis is but one interesting facet of this matchup to watch. New York will start rookie quarterback Geno Smith as the team searches for answers and Tampa Bay will look to continue to develop as a potential playoff team.
Here is everything fans need to know about the game.
Where: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
When: September 8, 2013, 1:00 PM ET
Watch: FOX Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch
Live Stream: NFL Sunday Ticket, Game Rewind
Buccaneers Player to Watch: Darrelle Revis
Aug 29, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Darrelle Revis (24) after the game against the Washington Redskins at Raymond James Stadium. The Redskins won 30-12. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
It sounds as if Darrelle Revis is a lock to see the field against his former team on Sunday. First of all, fans reactions in New York will be interesting to gauge.
Secondly, Revis will get a bit of tune-up game against a rookie quarterback to get back in the swing of things. Easily the best cornerback in football when healthy, Revis doesn’t need extra help to shut down a rookie, but he’ll have it anyway with a stellar safety duo in Mark Barron and Dashon Goldson.
Jets Player to Watch: Geno Smith
Aug 29, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) looks on before a pre-season game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Metlife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Too easy. No player on the Jets is more important than Geno Smith at this point, both for the immediate future and the long-term. Smith is infamous for his running out of the back of the end zone without being touched for a safety in the preseason, but he has the potential to make a difference.
It’s hard to imagine Smith will find much success against a sound Tampa Bay defense, but a positive performance is necessary here even in defeat with much bigger things on the line down the road.
Matchup to Watch: Geno Smith vs. Darrelle Revis
Aug 29, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Darrelle Revis (24) works out prior to the game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Is this cheating?
Maybe so, but nothing is more important in this game for both teams than the rookie under center and a star player back from a serious injury. Not only that, but how they play against each other.
If Smith is smart he will spend all day acting like the side of the field Revis occupies simply does not exist. If he chooses to go at Revis, Smith will find out the hard way what it’s like to test the best on the planet.
Prediction
Aug 8, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman (5) throws the ball during the first quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
This section seems a bit unnecessary for this matchup.
New York does not stand a chance here, even at home. The team is in a serious rebuilding phase and has too many holes throughout the roster. As inconsistent as Josh Freeman and the Buccaneers can be at times, there is no way they travel to New York in the opener and leave the Big Apple with a loss.
Buccaneers 28, Jets 13.