Jets have .500 in sights against bumbling Bucs

TAMPA, Fla. — The Jets came out of last week’s win over the Bills feeling good enough to dance.

The team played its best game of the season, kept its slim playoff hopes alive and became internet sensations for their fourth-quarter dance moves. Now, can they keep it going? The 4-5 Jets come to Florida this week hoping to keep the good feelings going against a struggling 2-6 Buccaneers team that has lost five straight. The Jets have a bye after this one, creating a demarcation line in their season. Win this and they will be 5-5 entering the home stretch. Lose it and there will be questions about 2018.

“I think it’s huge because it leaves everything out in front of us,” Jets quarterback Josh McCown said of getting to .500.

The Jets ended a three-game losing streak in resounding fashion on a Thursday night against the Bills in front of a national TV audience. That has led to lots of pats on the back for a team not used to this kind of success. It will be interesting to see how they handle the attention.

The locker room was loud and loose this week, which could just be a happy team or it could be a team that believes it has arrived. If it’s the latter, the Jets could be in trouble. Coach Todd Bowles said he is not worried about overconfidence.

“We’re 4-5. We’ve got nothing to be overconfident about,” Bowles said.

The Buccaneers are limping into this game. A team that entered the season with high hopes has been disappointing all year. Now, quarterback Jameis Winston is out with an injured shoulder, and wide receiver Mike Evans is suspended. That leaves former Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick leading Tampa Bay. The revenge of Fitzpatrick is a fun storyline for the media, but not one the Jets players are buying into.

“It’s not about Fitz,” nose tackle Steve McLendon said. “It’s about the Jets and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers playing Sunday at 1 o’clock.”

Bowles has implored his team that he wants them to find another gear after last week’s win.

“Well, for me the next gear is cleaning up the mistakes,” Bowles said. “Obviously, finishing the end of the ball game with not as many penalties, just cleaning up all the little things, we can be even better and try to finish out games even more.”