Tyrod Taylor’s first Jets start was a complete roller coaster

TAMPA, Fla. — Tyrod Taylor’s first ride as Jets starting quarterback was a typical roller coaster.

There were ups and downs, and the team ended up right where it began, with a zero in the win column. 

In the heartbreaking 29-27 Jets loss to the Buccaneers on Sunday, Taylor completed 26-of-36 passes for 197 yards.

He threw fourth-quarter touchdown passes to Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard to help bring the Jets from a 23-6 deficit to a short-lived lead in the final two minutes.

He was the team’s leading rusher with 48 yards on eight scrambles as he had just enough speed to dance away from tacklers who were nipping at his heels. 

On the downside, he threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown by Jamel Dean, and the offense mustered just six points through the first three quarters. 

“We did a lot of stuff on the ball in the second half. We put a little bit more stress on the [Bucs] defense,” said the 36-year-old Taylor, who was elevated to the starting role with Justin Fields missing the game with a concussion. 

“We talked at halftime about sticking true to our game plan, which is still getting back to the aggressiveness. We felt like we had a chance to take advantage of some of the NASCAR — it’s what we call some of the on-the-ball stuff. That’s what we got to in the second half.” 

The Jets trailed 13-6 when they had a second-and-10 from their own 45 with 28 seconds to go in the second quarter.

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Running from the pocket, Taylor looked for Wilson 10 yards down the field on the left side.

Dean stepped in front to intercept the pass and had clear sailing for a 55-yard touchdown return. 

Taylor said in hindsight he should have checked down to a shorter route, but added, “Dean made a great play, and obviously, turnovers hurt in this league. We were able to bounce back from it, and I’ll learn from it, and we’ll be better from it moving forward.” 

Despite Taylor’s 72 percent accuracy, the Jets generated just 4.2 yards per pass play and the quarterback was sacked four times.

He also hit on 10-of-13 targets with Wilson for 84 yards, including an 11-yard touchdown with 10:12 to go in the fourth quarter, which narrowed the deficit to 23-13. 

After a Bucs field goal, Taylor connected with Lazard in the back of the end zone for a 4-yard touchdown pass, which withstood a dicey replay review.

That made it 26-20 with 3:40 to go and would be the final time Taylor would touch the ball. 

The Jets took the lead on Will McDonald IV’s blocked field goal and 50-yard touchdown return, but left enough time for Baker Mayfield to drive the Bucs to Chase McLaughlin’s winning kick. 

“No matter what the situation is, [Taylor is] going to rally the troops,” Wilson said. “It’s good to be out there with Tyrod. I have to be better for him. I have to make some plays for him and keep that pick-six from happening — go attack the ball.”