The Jets let this one get away. A four-touchdown day for the offense wasn’t enough to hold off Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers.
New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold –( Image credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports)
Everything that has gone wrong for the Todd Bowles Era was on full display in a 44-38 overtime loss, Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium.
Takeaways From The Game
Penalties once again did in the Jets. They committed 16 for 172 yards.Three of those penalties came on Green Bay’s winning touchdown drive in overtime. That’s inexcusable. The fact this team is so undisciplined, especially on defense, makes no sense. Bowles can be as upset with the referees as he wants, some of those calls were questionable. But, bottom line is this team has a reputation for being undisciplined and mistake-prone. There’s no escaping that truth.
The Jets have found their franchise quarterback. Sam Darnold threw 3 touchdowns and didn’t have an interception. The rookie was 24 of 35 for 341 yards and averaged 9.7 yards a completion. He was efficient and poised. There’s nothing left to debate here, the Jets have finally found their quarterback. Now they have to use some of that nearly $100 million in cap money to surround him with upgrades on offense.
Chris Herndon gives the Jets a solid receiving tight end for Darnold. The rookie out of Miami was money for the Jets with six catches for 82 yards and one touchdown. He has the potential to have great chemistry, long-term, with Darnold. Two words … security blanket.
Leonard Williams was ejected from the game in the second quarter.
The defense, as mentioned earlier, couldn’t get out of their own way because of penalties. Williams was ejected late in the second quarter for throwing a punch at Packers Brian Bulaga. The Packers finished the drive with a seven-yard touchdown run by Jamaal Williams. The penalty and ejection helped put Green Bay in scoring position. The score cut New York’s lead to 21-14. Williams, a team captain, has struggled all season and this was a lousy way to go out in the team’s home finale.
Andre Roberts has put together a Pro Bowl season as the Punt / kick Returner for New York. He thrilled the crowd with a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the first half. Roberts wasn’t done. His 51-yard kick return set up the game-tying field goal by Jason Myers to send the game into overtime. Roberts, at 30 years old, put himself on the map with a career year. He’s also on a one-year contract. The Jets will need to decide where he fits in their plans for 2019.
Robby Anderson is a keeper. The owe it to Darnold in the offseason to look for upgrades at wide receiver. Their franchise quarterback needs more weapons to be successful. Anderson, however, has come on late to make a strong case for keeping him in the mix for the future. Anderson caught nine passes for 140 yard, both career highs. He also caught a touchdown for the third consecutive game in a row. The chemistry, between Anderson and Darnold, is strong. He’s got game-breaking speed and big-play ability. All qualifications for a number one receiver. But his long-term future with the Jets could depend on which direction the team moves in the offseason with their general manager and head coach.
What’s Next
The Jets are now 4-11 on the season, they finished their home schedule with a 2-6 record. They’ll finish out their season in New England.
