Photo: Michael Henriquez NY Beacon
Photo: Michael Henriquez NY Beacon
The New York Jets had multiple opportunities to make a comeback Sunday afternoon after a slow start, but mishaps continued and time dwindled away in the fourth quarter as they lost 15-10 to the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium.
New York’s defense was slow warming up on the rainy day as New England maneuvered around them and quarterback Zach Wilson and the offense remained cold failing to make the downs and pass connections early on, in a game that seemed like Jets would be fired up to play. The positive sides of an unfavorable game were a field goal, one touchdown and the prevention of interceptions.
“We’ve just got to be better,” said Jets Head Coach Robert Saleh. “We’ve got to be better as coaches to give our guys the opportunities to make plays. We have to be better as players when we get an opportunity to make those plays.”
The Patriots were 0-2 to start the season and New York hoped to break their 14-game winning streak against them. Yet Sunday was not the day for New York.
It seemed as though the Jets decided to run the ball early in the game if as though Wilson was unconvinced as he handed off the ball.
“I think it’s always to be balanced,” Wilson said following the game about the game plan and whether the goal was to run the ball more or throw. “You want to do what’s working and today it didn’t feel like any of it was really working. So we’ve got to find a way to do something.”
Wilson also seemed uneasy as he searched for an open receiver at times letting too much time pass before letting go of the ball. Wilson completed 18 of 36 passes for 157 yards. Patriots quarterback Mac Jones completed 15 of 29 passes for 201 yards.
Other players also faced challenges during the game. “It’s a collective effort,” said Jets cornerback Michael Carter II. “There’s only so much you can put on Zach. He’s human.”
New York had a scoreless first quarter. The Jets received first, but had to punt in less than two minutes on the clock after a loss of six yards and an incomplete pass. The Patriots scored a field goal on their first possession and New York trailed 3-0 to end the quarter.
Wilson was sacked on the Jets first possession in the second quarter and had to punt. New England scored a touchdown on the next possession. New York made their way down the field with runs and were close enough for a field goal. Greg Zuerlein kicked a 52-yard field goal with about 1:25 remaining in the quarter.
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The Jets trailed 10-3 at halftime. New York had only three total first downs and the Patriots had 10 at this point.
The Patriots kicked another field goal in the third quarter while the Jets remained scoreless. New York’s first touchdown of the game touchdown came in the fourth quarter. The Jets were closer to the end zone with a successful 21-yd shotgun pass from Wilson to wide receiver Allen Lazard. New York moved forward with successful passes. Nick Bawden then ran 1-yard for the Jets. Wilson seemed more comfortable and others confident, but New York could not score again in the next three possessions.
“Just overall, we got them on their heels and we were able to stay on the gas and keep them on their heels,” said Saleh. About what went well for Wilson on the touchdown drive, Saleh said “It’s just consistency. We’ve got to get consistent and take it from drive to drive.”
Things don’t get any easier for the Jets as they host the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs hosted the Chicago Bears last Sunday and destroyed them 41-10.
