Bucs vs Jets Week 17 Predictions, Picks, Odds, and Preview: Tom Brady Faces New York Again

(Photo : Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the sidelines during the fourth quarter in the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on December 26, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Two teams at opposite ends of the spectrum will face off this coming Sunday at MetLife Stadium when the NFC South-leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers go head-to-head with the AFC East cellar-dwellers, New York Jets. Can Tom Brady extend his dominance against New York in this Bucs vs Jets matchup? Here's a breakdown of this Week 17 game.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers installed as -13 favorites

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers clinched the NFC South title for the first time since 2007 with a commanding 32-6 victory over the Carolina Panthers in Week 16. It was a huge victory for the Bucs, who recorded back-to-back 11-win seasons for the first time in their franchise history.

The Bucs did it the hard way as they played the Panthers without several key players on the offensive and defensive ends. Tampa Bay arrived in Charlotte without star running back Leonard Fournette and Pro Bowl wide receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans.

The Bucs also were without safety Antoine Winfield Jr. and linebackers Jason Pierre-Paul and Lavonte David. All six suffered injuries in the humiliating 9-0 loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 15.

The Bucs managed to pull off the win with the help of the returning Antonio Brown, who was active for the first time since Week 6. He caught 10 passes for 101 receiving yards. Unheralded receiver Cyril Grayson also contributed for the Bucs, hauling in three catches for 81 yards. Running backs Ronald Jones II and Ke'Shawn Vaughn stepped up big time in Fournette's absence, scoring one rushing touchdown apiece.

However, Tampa Bay's victory came at a huge price as one of the Bucs' main defensive players got injured again. Pro Bowl outside linebacker Shaq Barrett suffered an MCL and ACL sprain and will be sidelined for the remainder of the regular season.

New York Jets enter Week 17 as +13 underdogs

The New York Jets finally snapped their three-game losing skid with a 26-21 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16. It was a big win for the Jets, who improved their record to 4-11.

Zach Wilson emerged victorious in his much-anticipated showdown with Trevor Lawrence. This was just the fourth time in NFL history that rookie quarterbacks taken with the first two picks in the NFL draft faced each other.

Wilson completed 14 of 22 passes for 102 yards and a touchdown throw to offensive lineman Conor McDermott. Wilson made waves on the ground as well, setting a new Jets record for a quarterback with 91 rushing yards. He made the play of the game in the first quarter, rushing for a 52-yard score, which is the longest run by a Jets quarterback in franchise history.

Things are bound to get more challenging for the Jets as they will next face the reigning Super Bowl champions in Week 17. The Jets have found the going difficult against Tom Brady, losing 30 of their 38 meetings against the seven-time Super Bowl champion. To make matters worse for the Jets, they will be without Connor McGovern and Trevon Wesco, who suffered knee injuries in the fourth quarter of their game against the Jags.