Disappointment at Metlife: Jets Lose to Denver, 10-9
Metlife Stadium, Jets vs. Broncos
Coming off the home-opening, electric Thursday Night Football blowout against the AFC East rival, New England Patriots, the Jets were set for a 1pm game against the Denver Broncos. The Jets had a lot of rest heading into this one, and many assumed it would be another easy win for Gang Green. However, it'd be the opposite. The Broncos were 1-2, heading into Sunday coming off a huge win against the reigning NFC South Champion, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, many assumed this would be tough for Bo Nix and company due to how well the Jets matched up against them on paper. A very underrated factor for Sunday's contest was the swampy weather, it was cold and rainy. It didn't make for the ideal football weather, but it should've made for a heavy ground-and-pound matchup. Yet, with ten days to prepare for the 1-2 Denver Broncos, you'd think they'd have a stable game plan.
Game Recap: The Jets were up first, and the crowd was energetic and cheering through the muggy weather. However, the offensive line had a few cracks and the defense got to Rodgers. It led to a 3rd and 18, then WR Garrett Wilson caught a pass over the middle then fumbled it to Denver on the Jets 30-yard line, and Denver would set up shop on Jets territory. Yet, the defense came to play and kept pressuring the Denver offense into making costly mistakes. After two penalties, the Broncos would move themselves out of field goal range, and the Jet defense would force a punt. After continuous foul offensive play, both teams would combine for 5 straight punts until the Broncos fumbled on their 34-yard line. The Jets showed promise, but the lack of discipline would push them back to settle for a field goal, 3-0 Jets. More punts and more miscommunication on both offensives were evident until the Jets entered a 2-minute drill. It looked promising until the offensive line continued to have more miscommunication, which allowed Denver to hit Rodgers, and the Jets would have to settle for a field goal, 6-0 Jets going into halftime.
Denver would punt, and New York would punt, and it seemed like it would be a repeat of the first half until Denver shocked all and led a drive downfield. In one drive, Denver would take a 7-6 lead just like that. The Jets responded with a field goal and that was the only response the offense could put together, 9-7 Jets. Denver did the same and quickly took another lead, 10-9. The Jet offense looked dull at this moment as they came out flat. They got the ball back with 2:30 on the clock, it was now or never. Rodgers led the drive, and it looked wonderful until the pass protection failed, and nobody got open. Naturally, Rodgers was sacked, and it was a turnover on downs. Fans began pouring out of the stadium. Denver was in position for a game-sealing field goal, and former Pro Bowl Kicker Wil Lutz missed the kick. Could a miracle save the Jets from an embarrassing loss to the Bo Nix led Broncos? With 1:27 left, Rodgers kept completing passes to get deeper into Denver territory. Checkdowns left and right. And with :47 left, it was time for Greg "The Leg" Zuerlein to come on to win another one for the Jets. Every Jet fan looked up, ready to celebrate, hands shaking, breathtaking, and the kick was short. Denver would walk out of Metlife Stadium in victory formation, and the Jets lost 10-9.
My take: For every great game comes a horrible game for the New York Jets. It is a continuous pattern in Jets history for as long as many can remember. On top of that, former Jets QB Vinny Testaverde was honored at a Legends ceremony in the building, so I’m just glad that Rodgers isn’t injured. The last time he was at MetLife, Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles. I'm not superstitious, but I believe in not making the same mistake twice. However, Sunday was an embarrassment. It was cold and rainy; a Jets win is all we wanted, but this team always fails to deliver when they have a chance to take it to the next level. We had the opportunity to go 3-1 for the first time since 2015, and they fell short by one point. This isn't a game that Denver won, but a game that the Jets lost. Being at the stadium put that in perspective because the team came out flat and it was grossly noticeable. The stadium was rocking even through the terrible weather conditions had taken over everything. Speaking of the weather, I'm going to blame this loss on exactly that. It was the first rain game in a year and a half for Rodgers, but you'd think Coach Saleh would have a better game plan for today. Coach also mentioned in the post-game presser, dialing back the pre-snap cadence and Rodgers disagreed. So that's something to keep an eye on. "All Gas, No Break" showed itself again today with 13 penalties and 90 yards given up. I love Coach Saleh, but this team needs to work on the discipline and another "Tackling 101" session. Players got to get in there and stop making business decisions, step up or step off. Embarrassing. Minnesota is next. MVP Sam Darnold and WR Justin Jefferson will meet us in London. May God Save the Jets…
