3 takeaways from another Jets' last-second defeat in 29-27 loss against Buccaneers in Week 3

It seemed like the game was already over.

The Jets last drive of the third quarter ended with a failed fourth down conversion, resulting in a turnover on downs heading to the fourth quarter down 23-6 with an offense that couldn't get any consistency or in a rhythm all game long.

Following a quick Buccaneers drive, the Jets came alive with a 21-point fourth quarter rally, but it wasn't enough in a 29-27 loss as the Bucs' placekicker Chase McLaughlin drilled a 36-yard field goal as Tampa Bay escaped with a two-point victory.

The Jets will have to regroup and recover after yet another last-minute heartbreaking loss for the second time in only three weeks into the start of the regular season. Gang Green will have an extra day of rest for their upcoming game as they play on 'Monday Night Football' against the Dolphins in Miami in Week 4.

Here are three takeaways we learned from the Jets' 29-27 loss in Week 3 against the Buccaneers:

Encouraging fourth-quarter response from Jets

The Jets could've easily had mailed it in after the offense failed to get anything going all afternoon long through the first three quarters.

Instead, Aaron Glenn's team rallied from a 17-point deficit at the start of the quarter and even had a brief lead thanks to the heroics of defensive end Will McDonald (more on him later).

The Jets offense had their best offensive performance since Week 1 in the fourth quarter, with multiple double-digit play drives that both resulted in touchdowns, with the latter making it a one-score game under the four minute mark.

Did Glenn and the Jets get the result they wanted? No. But, if they can continue to build off of this type of rally and effort shown late, the results and ultimately the wins will come down the line.

Will McDonald's field goal block heard around the world

While the offense came alive in the fourth, it was the play of Jets' defensive end Will McDonald that gave Gang Green the lead briefly with his spectacular effort.

With the Buccaneers aiming to take a two-score lead, McDonald blocked the field goal attempt and returned it 50 yards for the first touchdown of his career to give the Jets a 27-26 advantage.

On the play, the former first-round pick hurdled the Bucs' offensive line and got both hands on the ball, deflecting it towards midfield which he scooped up and returned it all the way for the score.

Here's the highlight of the must-see special teams block and touchdown by McDonald:

not a bad first TD of your career @WILL_JUN1OR

📺: #NYJvsTB on FOX pic.twitter.com/itAM2FwjB0

— New York Jets (@nyjets) September 21, 2025

Wide receiver Garrett Wilson the clear motor of Jets offense

Even with the offense stuck in neutral for a majority of the day, the clear No. 1 receiving option is Garrett Wilson.

Wilson, who was given a massive four-year, $130 contract extension this past offseason, saw a season-high in targets (13) and receptions (10) on Sunday with Taylor at QB, as the two linked for an 11-yard score for the Jets first offensive touchdown of the day.

The 84 receiving yards is not ideal as he averaged just a lowly 8.4 yards per catch (YPC), but Wilson was taking what he could get on a day where the offense struggled until that fourth quarter outburst.

With a pair of struggling defenses in the Dolphins and Cowboys coming up over the next two games, Wilson should continue to prove and show why he's one of the best young wide receivers in the game, whether it's Taylor or starting QB Justin Fields back under center.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Jets vs. Buccaneers game highlights: Three takeaways from Week 3 game