Sports
Buccaneers Edge Jets 29-27 on McLaughlin’s Walk-Off Field Goal, Move to 3-0
TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-0) stayed perfect on the season with a thrilling 29-27 victory over the New York Jets at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday. Kicker Chase McLaughlin drilled a 36-yard walk-off field goal to secure the win, making Tampa Bay 3-0 for the first time since 2005 and just the fifth time in franchise history. In each of their previous four 3-0 starts, the Buccaneers went on to make the playoffs.
Historic Clutch Start to the Season
The Buccaneers continued their remarkable streak of late-game heroics, becoming the first team since the NFL merger in 1970 to record a game-winning score in the final minute of regulation in each of their first three games of a season. Tampa Bay is also just the third team in league history—joining the 1994 Giants and 2017 Steelers—to string together three straight games with a go-ahead score in the final minute.
Dominant Defense Shines Again
The Buccaneers’ defense once again proved suffocating. They held the Jets to just 99 rushing yards, marking their 11th straight game of holding opponents under 100 yards on the ground. The defense also came up big on key downs, limiting New York to 3-of-11 (27%) on third down and just 1-of-3 (33.3%) on fourth down. Tampa Bay’s pass rush delivered a season-high four sacks, 10 quarterback hits, and nine tackles for loss. Cornerback Jamel Dean added a highlight play, intercepting Tyrod Taylor and returning it 55 yards for a touchdown—the Bucs’ first pick-six since 2023.
Mayfield, Offense Deliver Under Pressure
Quarterback Baker Mayfield stayed sharp, completing 19-of-29 passes for 233 yards and one touchdown, finishing with a 101.7 passer rating and adding 44 rushing yards. Through three games, Mayfield has thrown six touchdowns with no interceptions, joining Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen as the only quarterbacks with at least five TDs and zero picks this season. Rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka led the way with six receptions for 85 yards, while Sterling Shepard chipped in 80 yards, and Mike Evans recorded four catches—including his 106th career touchdown, now ninth-most in NFL history.
McLaughlin Seals the Victory
Chase McLaughlin’s right leg was the difference, as he went 5-for-6 on field goals, including makes from 28, 33, 36, 54, and 55 yards. His two makes from 50+ yards pushed his career efficiency on long-distance kicks to 82.9%—the second-best mark in NFL history (min. 40 attempts). McLaughlin’s game-winner capped off a final drive led by Mayfield, who completed two key passes for 47 yards to set up the decisive kick.
Tampa Bay now sits atop the NFC South at 3-0 and will look to continue its historic run next week when they travel for their Week 4 matchup.
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J Willie David, III | Sports@FloridaNationalNews.com
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Florida National News) – The Jacksonville Jaguars (4-2) lost to the Seattle Seahawks (4-2) 20-12 at EverBank Stadium today. Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence was sacked seven times during the game.
The Jaguars were the first to score, on a Trevor Lawrence 21 yard touchdown pass to WR Brian Thomas Jr. K Cam Little missed his first ever point after touchdown, so the Jaguars were up 6-0 at the end of the first quarter. Little had held a perfect record of making his extra points, not just with the Jags, but even in college and high school.
In the second quarter, K Jason Myers kicked a 24 yard field goal for the Seahawks. Seattle added a 61 yard touchdown pass from QB Sam Darnold to WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and with Myers’ XP, the Seahawks were up 10-6. Cam Little missed a 50 yard field goal attempt for the Jaguars with a minute to go before the half. Myers added a 53 yard field goal shortly after, to put the Seahawks ahead 13-6 at halftime.
In the third quarter, the Vikings added another touchdown pass by Darnold for 11 yards to WR Cooper Kupp, followed by Myers’ XP. Late in the quarter, a Trevor Lawrence 54 yard touchdown pass to Brian Thomas Jr. was nullified by an offside penalty called against rookie WR/CB Travis Hunter. The Seahawks led 20-6 at the end of the third quarter.
On the first drive of the fourth, Trevor Lawrence completed a 26 yard touchdown pass to WR Tim Patrick, but WR Bhayshul Tuten missed a two point conversion attempt, to narrow the Jags’ deficit to 20-12. Myers later made a 27 yard field goal for Seattle that was reversed because of a holding penalty by the Jaguars’ DE Dawuane Smoot, but the final score remained 20-12.
Trevor Lawrence finished with 258 passing yards and 2 TDs. Travis Etienne Jr. led the Jaguars’ rushing with 27 yards. Brian Thomas Jr. was the leading receiver with 90 yards and 1 TD. Today’s attendance was 61,056.
Earlier this week, the Jaguars traded CB Tyson Campbell and a seventh round 2026 draft pick to the Cleveland Browns for CB Greg Newsome II and a sixth round 2026 pick.
The Jaguars helped to spread the word about fighting cancer through early detection and risk reduction as part of the NFL’s Crucial Catch initiative. Pink ribbons were handed out to fans before the game in the Fan Entertainment Zone, along with customizable “I Stand For” signs, in support of those who have been impacted by cancer.
Jaguars help spread the word about fighting cancer through the NFL’s Crucial Catch initiative. Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News
The Jaguars travel to London to play the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Oct. 19 at Wembley Stadium. Kickoff is at 9:30 a.m. The Jags have a bye week after that followed by road games against the Raiders and the Texans before returning to EverBank Stadium on Nov. 16 to face the Los Angeles Chargers. Be sure to follow www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more.
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — A shorthanded Orlando City SC (14-8-11, 53 points) suffered a crushing 2-1 defeat to the Vancouver Whitecaps FC (18-6-9, 63 points) on Saturday night at Inter&Co Stadium, conceding a heartbreaking goal in second-half stoppage time. Despite the loss, Orlando City remains in seventh place in the Eastern Conference heading into next weekend’s Decision Day match at Toronto FC, which will determine their final playoff seeding.
Thórhallsson Strikes First for Orlando
Missing seven players due to international duty, the Lions showed resilience early. In the 24th minute, defender Dagur Dan Thórhallsson put Orlando ahead with a composed right-footed finish inside the box, following a creative setup from forward Duncan McGuire and midfielder Martín Ojeda. Ojeda delivered a looping cross that McGuire chested down to Thórhallsson, who calmly beat Vancouver goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka.
The goal marked Thórhallsson’s third MLS goal of the 2025 season and fourth across all competitions, while McGuire registered his second assist of the season. Ojeda’s secondary assist brought him to 15 regular-season assists and 19 across all competitions, leaving him just one shy of becoming the first player in club history to record 20 goals and 20 assists in a single campaign.
Vancouver’s Late Rally Stuns Orlando
The Whitecaps fought back in the second half. In the 81st minute, substitute Nelson Pierre capitalized on a rebound off the left post to equalize. Then, in the dying moments of stoppage time (90+7’), German international Thomas Müller delivered a moment of brilliance—curling a left-footed strike into the bottom-right corner to seal all three points for Vancouver.
Despite Orlando goalkeeper Pedro Gallese’s efforts, Vancouver dominated possession (64.8%) and outshot the Lions (23–3). Orlando’s inability to maintain possession and manage pressure in the second half proved costly.
“We’re disappointed, especially given all the adversity we’re facing,” said Head Coach Oscar Pareja. “We couldn’t sustain our rhythm in the second half. Vancouver dominated between the lines, and that made the difference.”
Looking Ahead: Decision Day in Toronto
Orlando City now heads to BMO Stadium for a pivotal Decision Day matchup against Toronto FC on Saturday, October 18 at 6 p.m. ET, airing on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. The Lions’ playoff position depends on the outcome.
Heineken Star of the Match: Dagur Dan Thórhallsson
Attendance: 23,465
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Javier Garcia | Sports@FloridaNationalNews.com
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Florida National News) – The Jacksonville Jaguars (4-1) came back late in the game to defeat the Kansas City Chiefs (2-3) 31-28. Today’s game marked the Jaguars’ 13th Monday Night Football appearance in Jacksonville, improving their all-time MNF record to 8-5 at home.
ESPN’s Monday Night Countdown Crew Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News
The Chiefs were the first to put points on the board, with a QB Patrick Mahomes 2 yard touchdown pass to TE Travis Kelce, followed by the extra point from K Harrison Butker. The score remained 7-0 at the end of the first quarter.
Early in the second quarter, the Jaguars went for it on 4th and 1, but QB Trevor Lawrence was called for fumbling the ball as he tried to run up the middle for a touchdown. Officials reviewed the play which looked like a possible touchdown on the stadium replay, but the fumble ruling stood. On the next series, the Chiefs’ drive finished with Mahomes running 9 yards for a touchdown, followed by another Butker XP. But Lawrence’s 3 yard touchdown pass to WR Parker Washington, followed by K Cam Little’s extra point narrowed the gap. Just before halftime, LB Foye Oluokun got his 500th tackle as a Jaguar. The Chiefs led 14-7 heading into halftime.
In the third quarter, fans cheered loudly when Jaguars two-way rookie phenom WR Travis Hunter caught a 44 yard pass from Trevor Lawrence. Hunter followed with a 1 yard reception, but the scoring drive ended four plays later as Lawrence ran 10 yards for a touchdown followed by Little’s XP, tying the game. Late in the third quarter, LB Devin Lloyd intercepted a Patrick Mahomes pass and ran it 99 yards for a “pick six,” followed by Little’s XP, putting the Jags ahead 21-14.
In the fourth, a Trevor Lawrence pass intended for Parker Washington was intercepted by CB Trent McDuffie. That set up Chiefs’ RB Kareem Hunt, who ran up the middle for a 5 yard touchdown, followed by Butker’s XP to tie the game. Cam Little’s 52 yard field goal later put the Jags up 24-21. But Hunt ran for another 2 yard touchdown, and with Butker’s XP, the Chiefs pulled ahead 28-24, with just 1:45 remaining. Trevor Lawrence wowed the crowd leading an impressive drive downfield. A pass interference call set up a Trevor Lawrence 1 yard touchdown run, and with Little’s XP, the Jaguars pulled ahead 31-28 with just 23 seconds to go. The Chiefs were unable to score on a Patrick Mahomes end of the game Hail Mary, securing the Jaguars’ victory.
Donna Kelce came to Jacksonville to see her sons. Travis plays for the Chiefs, while Jason is now part of ESPN’s Monday Night Countdown crew. Mama Kelce also wore a Taylor Swift inspired cap, in support of her future daughter-in-law.
Trevor Lawrence finished with 221 passing yards and one TD. Travis Etienne Jr. Trevor Lawrence led the Jaguars’ rushing with 54 yards and two TDs. Brian Thomas Jr. was the leading receiver with 80 yards. Today’s attendance was 69,329.
Also at today’s game, the Jaguars showed off the first part of their major stadium renovations. The first of four new grand staircases opened, leading fans to the main concourse. Construction on the Jaguars’ $1.4 billion dollar Stadium of the Future will continue through August 2028. Click here to see video of the official opening of the new grand staircase: Grand Staircase
The Jaguars take on the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Oct. 12 at 1:00 p.m. The Jags then travel to London to play the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Oct. 19 at Wembley Stadium. Be sure to follow www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more.
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