Disappointment Prevails. The Jets lose to seahawks, 26-21
Jets QB Aaron Rodgers gets hit by Seahawks DE Leonard Williams, Andrew Mills/NJ Advance Media
A miserable season for the Jets continues to find new ways to disappoint and depress fans. On a cold December afternoon, the New York Jets would return from their bye week in their all-black alternate jerseys, hosting the Seattle Seahawks. Although Seattle is on the other side of the country, Seahawk fans came in masses to support their team. There was almost an entire section full of Seahawk fans. The Jets would be facing four former Jets that now play in Seattle: QB Geno Smith, DE Leonard Williams, LG Laken Tomlinson, and former Jets Pro-Bowl K Jason Myers. These former Jets all had disappointing tenures with the New York franchise, but most have found new life in Seattle. QB Geno Smith has revived his career, DE Leonard Williams made big plays, and K Jason Myers is one of the best kickers in the league. So, the writing is not the wall for Sunday's disaster… will these former Jets pounce on the opportunity to embarrass the Jets?
The game began with a series of punts and bad offensive play until the Jets found an old spark between QB Aaron Rodgers and WR Davante Adams as they connected for a touchdown. However, as anybody could see coming, DE Leonard Williams blocked the extra point attempt, and the Jets would only lead 6-0. However, it didn't matter because Seattle was handing this game on a silver platter as their kick returner fumbled and practically handed the ball to the Jets. QB Rodgers would connect with rookie RB Isaiah Davis for his first career touchdown, and the Jets would successfully attempt a 2-point conversion, Jets 14-0. Seattle wasn't tapping out, though, and QB Geno Smith retaliated with a touchdown, 14-7. Yet, the momentum sided with the Jets as newly signed kick returner Kene Nwangwu scored a touchdown on the kick return, Jets 21-7. The Jets had a two-possession lead, and it seemed they would dominate this game. And the game security only increased after the Seahawks dropped another kick return catch and fumbled it to the Jets. Rodgers and company would drive downfield, and after overthrowing WR Garrett Wilson on a beautiful route in the endzone, Rodgers would throw a pick-six. Guess who? Yes, it was DE Leonard Williams… in 2024… picking off the Jets for a touchdown, and you could feel the momentum shift rapidly. They blocked the extra point, but the damage was done. It was classic Jets, 21-13. After another great kick return, the Jets would fail to convert a fourth down and lose possession; this would set up Seattle for an easy field goal before the end of the half, 21-16.
Everything that could've gone wrong went wrong. The Jets bent the knee to the absolute fullest extent in the second half and allowed Seattle to do whatever they wanted. The sad part is that Seattle kept handing this game to the Jets, but they had no heart to win it at the end. Our best players on defense began to get injured, allowing Seattle to attack our weaknesses. They scored a field and then eventually a touchdown to take the lead, Seahawks 26-21. Although the Jets looked lousy in the second half, the officiating did them no favors. After almost every positive defensive play on both of Seattle's scoring drives in the second half, there was a penalty against the Jets to benefit Seattle. The Jets had 5 minutes at the end of the game to attempt a comeback, and they drove downfield, but it wasn't enough. Rodgers could not get the ball to his playmakers and instead took hits left and right. It was yet another lousy loss.
In positive news, THE TANK IS ON! We're still in play for a top draft pick and currently stand sixth overall. That's where we'll ultimately end up due to this franchise's historical infatuation with the sixth overall selection because it is where we always select. What a terrible season! 3-9 and out of any playoff talk by Thanksgiving. Terrible. This franchise is cruel to its fans, and we can only hope for the grand payoff one day. This offseason will decide the future, but after some preliminary scouting, I can confidently say this draft may be the worst to need a quarterback in. More on that soon to come. There are only five games left, Jets fans. It's almost over.
Also Happy Belated Birthday, Aaron Rodgers.
