Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New York Jets Score, Result, Highlights August 15, 2026

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New York Jets preseason matchup produced an entertaining comeback, with Tampa Bay overcoming an early deficit to defeat New York 24–16 at MetLife Stadium. The Buccaneers trailed by 10 points after the opening quarter but completely changed the momentum in the second half, scoring 14 unanswered points before the Jets added a late field goal. ESPN's official game record lists the matchup as a preseason contest played on Friday, August 14, 2026.

For readers tracking the August 15, 2026 schedule and postgame coverage, it is worth making the date distinction clear: the game itself took place on August 14, while August 15 coverage followed the result. Using the exact game date is important when presenting an accurate scorecard or match recap.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New York Jets Final Score

The final result was:

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24, New York Jets 16

Jets Start the Game With a 10–0 Lead

New York looked like the stronger team during the opening quarter.

The Jets scored 10 points while Tampa Bay's offense failed to put points on the scoreboard. That early advantage gave New York an opportunity to control the game from the beginning.

However, the Buccaneers' defense gradually settled in, and the momentum began to change during the second quarter.

The Jets ultimately scored only six additional points during the final three quarters, which became a major reason Tampa Bay was able to complete the comeback.

Tampa Bay Responds in the Second Quarter

The Buccaneers answered New York's fast start with a much more productive second quarter.

Tampa Bay scored 10 points, cutting into the Jets' advantage and bringing the game level at halftime.

That turnaround was important because the Buccaneers entered the second half with momentum rather than chasing a large deficit.

The official ESPN box score confirms Tampa Bay's quarter-by-quarter scoring: 0 points in the first quarter, 10 in the second, seven in the third and seven in the fourth.

Jalon Daniels Provides a Major Spark

One of the biggest stories for Tampa Bay was rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels.

Daniels completed 10 of 15 passes for 111 yards and did not throw an interception. He also contributed on the ground, including a rushing touchdown that became one of the key offensive highlights of the game.

His performance gave the Buccaneers an important spark after the team fell behind early.

Daniels showed composure while operating the offense and helped Tampa Bay regain control as the game progressed. The Buccaneers' official coverage specifically highlighted the undrafted rookie quarterback's contribution to the victory.

Jalon Daniels' Rushing Touchdown

Daniels' ability to make plays with his legs added another dimension to Tampa Bay's offense.

The Buccaneers' official highlight package lists Daniels' rushing touchdown among the notable plays from the game. His mobility helped Tampa Bay generate points after the Jets had established early defensive control.

For a young quarterback competing for opportunities, producing both as a passer and runner is valuable during preseason evaluation.

The performance also gave Tampa Bay's coaching staff more information about Daniels' ability to execute the offensive system in live-game conditions.

Josh Williams Adds Another Touchdown

Running back Josh Williams also produced a significant offensive play for Tampa Bay.

Williams scored on a 12-yard rushing touchdown, helping the Buccaneers maintain their advantage after taking control of the game. The team's official recap identified Williams' touchdown as one of the important moments in the 24–16 victory.

His rushing score demonstrated Tampa Bay's ability to produce points through the ground game rather than relying exclusively on Daniels and the passing attack.

Ayden Garnes Delivers the Defensive Highlight

The most memorable defensive play belonged to Buccaneers cornerback Ayden Garnes.

Garnes intercepted a pass from Jets quarterback Bailey Zappe and returned it for a touchdown, producing a crucial pick-six. The play gave Tampa Bay an immediate scoring boost and helped turn the game further in the Buccaneers' favor.

A defensive touchdown is especially valuable in preseason games because it can dramatically change momentum while also giving a young player an opportunity to make his case for a larger role.

Garnes' interception was one of the clearest individual highlights of Tampa Bay's victory.

Rashad Wisdom Adds Another Interception

The Buccaneers also received a strong performance from safety Rashad Wisdom.

Wisdom intercepted a Bailey Zappe pass, adding another turnover to Tampa Bay's defensive performance. The Buccaneers' official highlights list Wisdom's interception among the key plays from the matchup.

The two interceptions were particularly important because they limited the Jets' ability to sustain offensive momentum after the first quarter.

Bailey Zappe Struggles Under Pressure

Jets quarterback Bailey Zappe finished with 6 completions on 10 attempts for 55 yards, and he threw two interceptions. He was also sacked twice for a combined 16 yards.

Those turnovers proved costly.

Zappe's interceptions allowed Tampa Bay's defense to create additional scoring opportunities, while the lack of touchdown production from the Jets' passing game made it difficult for New York to respond once the Buccaneers took control.

The performance was part of a larger quarterback rotation for New York.

Brady Cook Leads the Jets' Passing Numbers

Brady Cook started the quarterback rotation for the Jets and completed 9 of 15 passes for 108 yards. He did not throw a touchdown or interception.

Cook's numbers represented the most passing yardage among New York's quarterbacks, while rookie Cade Klubnik also received an opportunity.

Klubnik completed 5 of 7 passes for 56 yards, giving the Jets another encouraging look at their quarterback depth.

The preseason setting allowed New York to evaluate multiple quarterbacks under actual game conditions.

Cade Klubnik Shows Efficiency

Klubnik's 5-for-7 passing performance was one of the more efficient statistical outings for the Jets.

Although he did not throw a touchdown, he completed more than 70% of his attempts and averaged eight yards per completion attempt. ESPN's box score lists his passer rating at 94.9, higher than the other Jets quarterbacks in the game.

For a young quarterback, those repetitions are important as the Jets continue evaluating their depth chart.

Jets Quarterbacks Face Turnover Problems

As a group, New York's quarterbacks completed 20 of 32 passes for 193 yards, but the team threw two interceptions and did not produce a passing touchdown.

That combination made it difficult for the Jets to sustain their early advantage.

The offense was able to score 10 points in the opening quarter, but Tampa Bay's defense became increasingly effective as the game progressed.

Tampa Bay's Passing Attack

The Buccaneers finished with 176 passing yards.

Daniels accounted for 111 yards, while Connor Bazelak completed 12 of 20 attempts for 72 yards. Bazelak was also sacked once for a seven-yard loss.

The overall passing numbers were not spectacular, but Tampa Bay's offense was able to complement the passing attack with rushing touchdowns and defensive scoring.

That balance ultimately produced 24 points.

Buccaneers' Defense Changes the Game

The biggest difference after halftime was Tampa Bay's defense.

The Buccaneers forced turnovers, prevented New York from scoring touchdowns and maintained pressure on the Jets' quarterbacks.

After allowing 10 points in the first quarter, Tampa Bay allowed only six points during the final three quarters.

That defensive turnaround was essential to the comeback.

New York Adds a Field Goal in the Fourth Quarter

The Jets' final points came from a fourth-quarter field goal.

The kick gave New York 16 points, but it was not enough to generate a comeback because Tampa Bay answered with another touchdown.

ESPN's official scoring breakdown confirms that New York scored three points in the fourth quarter, while Tampa Bay scored seven.

Tampa Bay Finishes Strong

The Buccaneers scored seven points in the fourth quarter to secure their 24–16 victory.

The strong finish was a complete reversal of the opening quarter.

Tampa Bay went from trailing 10–0 to leading by eight points at the final whistle.

That 24-point performance included touchdowns from Daniels and Williams as well as Garnes' defensive score.

The Importance of the Pick-Six

Garnes' interception return for a touchdown deserves particular attention because defensive scores can completely alter preseason contests.

Instead of simply stopping a Jets drive, Garnes turned the turnover into seven points.

The play also demonstrated his ability to recognize the quarterback's throw, secure the interception and finish the play in the end zone.

For a young cornerback, that kind of performance can generate significant attention during roster evaluations.

Special Teams Remain Important

Tampa Bay kicker Chase McLaughlin converted his only field-goal attempt from 23 yards and added an extra point. B.T. Potter made both of his extra-point attempts.

For New York, Cade York converted two field goals, including a 38-yard attempt, while Jason Sanders made a 47-yard field goal and an extra point.

Both teams therefore received useful information from their kicking units.

What the Result Means for Tampa Bay

The 24–16 victory gave Tampa Bay an encouraging start to its preseason.

The biggest positives included:

• Jalon Daniels' efficient passing performance
• Daniels' rushing touchdown
• Josh Williams' 12-yard rushing touchdown
• Ayden Garnes' pick-six
• Rashad Wisdom's interception
• A strong second-half defensive performance
• The ability to overcome a 10-point deficit

The Buccaneers' official recap specifically highlighted the contributions of their young players, including Daniels and Garnes.

What the Result Means for New York

The Jets' 16-point performance contained some positives despite the loss.

Brady Cook produced 108 passing yards, while Cade Klubnik completed five of seven attempts for 56 yards.

The team also started quickly and scored 10 points in the opening quarter.

However, the turnovers and lack of touchdown production after the opening period will be areas for review.

The Jets need to find more consistency when facing defensive pressure and avoid giving opponents extra scoring opportunities.

A Valuable Preseason Evaluation

The final score is only one part of the story in a preseason game.

Coaches use these contests to evaluate players who may not have significant regular-season roles yet.

For Tampa Bay, Daniels and Garnes provided particularly strong evidence that they can contribute.

For New York, the quarterback rotation gave the coaching staff additional information about its depth.

The game therefore served its primary purpose: giving both organizations meaningful information before the regular season.

Key Turning Points

Jets Take a 10–0 Lead

New York's fast start put Tampa Bay under pressure immediately.

Buccaneers Tie the Game

Tampa Bay answered with 10 second-quarter points and entered halftime level.

Garnes' Pick-Six

The interception return for a touchdown was one of the game's most important momentum-changing plays.

Daniels' Rushing Touchdown

Daniels added a touchdown with his legs, providing another major offensive moment for Tampa Bay.

Williams Scores From 12 Yards

Josh Williams' rushing touchdown helped the Buccaneers maintain their second-half advantage.

Tampa Bay Closes the Game

The Buccaneers scored seven fourth-quarter points and held New York to a field goal to complete the 24–16 victory.

Final Analysis

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New York Jets matchup was a strong example of how quickly momentum can change during preseason football.

The Jets looked comfortable early, scoring 10 points in the first quarter while Tampa Bay failed to get on the scoreboard. But the Buccaneers gradually improved, tying the game by halftime before taking complete control during the second half.

The biggest positive for Tampa Bay was the performance of its young players.

Jalon Daniels completed 10 of 15 passes for 111 yards without an interception and also scored a rushing touchdown. His combination of passing efficiency and mobility gave the Buccaneers' offense a useful spark.

Ayden Garnes provided the biggest defensive play of the game with his interception return for a touchdown, while Rashad Wisdom added another interception. Those turnovers helped Tampa Bay turn defensive stops into points.

Josh Williams also contributed a 12-yard rushing touchdown, helping the Buccaneers finish with 24 points.

For the Jets, the early 10-point lead showed that the offense could produce quickly, but the team struggled to maintain that production. New York's quarterbacks combined for 193 passing yards but threw two interceptions and failed to record a passing touchdown.

The Jets did receive some encouraging quarterback play from Brady Cook and Cade Klubnik, but the turnovers became costly once Tampa Bay's defense settled down.

Ultimately, the 24–16 final score reflected Tampa Bay's superior second-half execution.

The Buccaneers turned a 10-point deficit into an eight-point victory, scoring 14 unanswered points in the third and fourth quarters before New York's late field goal.

For a preseason opener, the most valuable outcome for Tampa Bay may not have been the victory itself but the emergence of young players capable of making impact plays. The official Buccaneers coverage emphasized the contributions of rookies Daniels and Garnes, reinforcing the importance of their performances. 

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