The Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers picked up where they left off last season, defeating the New York Jets 30-14 at Tokyo Dome on Saturday in the American Bowl in the NFL's exhibition opener.

News photoTampa bay buccaneers running back Thomas Jones dodges the New York Jets defense before his touchdown in the second quarter of the American Bowl at Tokyo Dome on Saturday. The Bucs went on to beat the Jets 30-14.

Rookie Chris Simms, who started the second half for Tampa Bay, led a drive that culminated with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Reggie Barlow 45 seconds into the fourth quarter to put the Buccaneers ahead 20-7.