An Overtime Disaster: The Jets lose to the Dolphins, 32-26
Jets Eliminated from Playoffs graphic, USA Today Sports
It is likely this won’t be the biggest news coming out of New York this weekend, but the Jets have done it again. For the 14th straight season, the Jets will miss the playoffs as they’ve been eliminated after their loss against Miami. The playoff drought is the longest active streak in American sports. This was inevitable after the team’s historically bad season after failing to live up to the sky high expectations they had. Ironically, the offense looked pretty good today but the defense crumbled under pressure like a piece of paper. Miami scored a touchdown right off the bat on their first possession but missed the extra kick, Fins 6-0. The Jets drove downfield and a rushing attack combined by rookie RB’s Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis looked promising, and led to a Jets field goal, 6-3. Defense continued to disappoint and allowed a field goal, 9-3. The Jets offense stayed up and QB Aaron Rodgers connected with rookie RB Isaiah Davis for a touchdown, Jets 10-9. Miami could only respond with another field goal, and then it became a field goal contest. Miami led 15-13 at the half.
Neither team had punted in the first half, both offenses were flowing but not too electric as they only combined for two first half touchdowns. The Jets came out swinging and Rodgers connected with Adams for a touchdown, Jets 20-15. The first punt came in the following drive as Miami felt the momentum slipping, the Jets continued with the pressure and scored a field goal, Jets 23-15. Both offenses punted afterwards, but Miami got the ball back and punched the Jets defense right in the mouth with a game tying touchdown and 2 point conversion, 23-23. Both offenses would score field goals in the last minute of the game and go into overtime, 26-26. The Jets allowed the Dolphins to come right back into game when they failed to score touchdowns. After they elected to take a field goal at the end of the third quarter, rather than find a way to score a touchdown, they let Miami back into it. So the inevitable occured in overtime. The Dolphins won the toss and elected to receive. Dolphins TE Jonnu Smith had been a non-factor the entire game. Which is a rarity considering he’s one of the best in the league. That was until overtime when he toyed with the Jets defense and scored a game-winning touchdown in overtime.
The tank lives on and the Jets are officially out of a playoff spot. Although this is beneficial to the tankathon, beating the Dolphins in Miami would’ve been nice considering we haven’t done it since 2014. Beneficial is also an overstatement, they currently sit at seventh overall which is hilarious. Even after a horrendous season, 3-10, can’t secure a top 5 pick. Going back to the game, the defense was abysmal but the offense was pretty good. Even without RB Breece Hall, the young rookies showed up and made up for his production. Rodgers looked really good in what was likely his best game all season, his first 300+ passing yard game this season. The trio of Rodgers, Adams and Wilson looked amazing and gives some optimism for what could be in 2025 if Rodgers/Adams return for another year. Many positives in such a terrible game and terrible season. Jets lose and are eliminated from the playoffs, off to 2025.
Onto the Jacksonville, the 3-10 Jaguars.
