Jets Avoid Tie, Outlast Jaguars in Bizarro OT

JETS 23 - JAGUARS 20 - Overtime

For three quarters the New York Jets had done just about everything right against a good Jaguars team. They held a 20-10 lead; Bilal Powell and Elijah McGwire were killing the Jaguars front seven with one big run after another; Luke McCown was managing the game nicely, and the Jets defense was smothering the Jaguars.

The game was heading for a blowout victory for the Jets, especially when McCown dropped a dime into the hands of Robby Anderson for a 41-yard completion to the Jacksonville 14-yard line. Another field goal, or even a touchdown, and Jets would be walking to a 2-2 record. It wasn't to be, as the Jets reminded us all why this imperfect team can be both exciting and frustrating to watch.

McCown tried to lateral the football to Powell, but the ball bounced off his shoulder and was picked up by Myles Jack who dashed 81-yards the other way for a shocking Jaguars touchdown to make it 20-17. At this point it was easy to think, "here we go again, more stupid Jets tricks."

Maybe it was the fact they were playing the equally inept Jaguars? Maybe it was the fact this team has plenty of guts? Maybe its a combination of both? Because the Jets didn't allow the Jaguars to steal the game from them.

After Josh McCown threw a horrible interception late in the quarter, after his intended receiver slipped, it looked all but over. Jacksonville had the football at the Jets 34, and you knew it was just a matter of time before they scored the winning touchdown. That never happened. Credit the Jets defense, and give credit to the Jaguars for shooting themselves in the foot. Jacksonville actually had the game winner when Leonard Fournette scored on a 23-yard dash to the corner, but a huge holding penalty was called on the Jaguars, nullifying the touchdown.

The Jets defense stiffened, holding Jacksonville out of the end zone and forcing a tying field goal to make it 20-20.

In overtime, we were subjected to probably the worst execution of football we have ever seen as neither team could establish anything offensively. It looked like the game was destined to end in a tie, until Jets punter Lachlan Edwards pinned the Jags at their own five yard line on a beautiful 70-yard punt. The Jets forced Jacksonville into a three and out and got the ball back with great field position and 1:50 to go in the overtime. The Jets finally positioned themselves for the game winner which Chandler Catanzaro nailed to give the Jets a stunning 23-20 victory.

Standouts and Points of contention:

The Jets have a running game: Bilal Powell and Elijah McGuire were both amazing on Sunday. The duo ripped apart the Jaguars for 256 yards on the ground. The highlights came early when Powell avoided a tackler, got up and ran untouched into the end zone for a 75-yard touchdown that tied the game at 7.

Then, in the third quarter the Jets took full control of the contest, when McGuire burst through the seams and went untouched for a 69-yard score to hand New York a 17-10 lead.   If these two guys keep it up, the Jets don't need Matt Forte back, who is nursing a leg injury. In addition, the Jets offensive line deserves a lot of props for creating so much running room for this duo on Sunday.

The Jets don't Trust Josh McCown: It became painfully obvious after the backwards lateral-turned Jaguars fumble recovery, the Jets changed their entire game plan for the rest of the day. Before the fumble the Jets allowed quarterback Josh McCown to make some plays with his arm, but after the scoop-and-score by Jacksonville, offensive coordinator John Morton went into a shell and never allowed McCown to do anything to hurt the team again, opting for an ultra-conservative game-plan.

Honestly, you can't blame Morton, because McCown was awful on Sunday. He was holding the ball way too long and took a number of horrible sacks. For example, in the first quarter the Jets had the ball at the Jaguar 35, but McCown took a couple of hideous sacks on the possession, knocking New York out of field goal range.

Then in the second quarter, he had the Jets at the Jags 42 after a beautiful throw to Austin Seferian-Jenkins, and proceeded to take two huge sacks that put the Jets in a third and 28. Eventually the Jets tried a field goal and missed.

Overall, McCown took five sacks and threw a pick. He was bad. While it is nice the Jets have won two games with him under center, they are better off with Bryce Petty at quarterback. The sooner the change is made under center, the better it is for the Jets, especially if they want to make something of this season.

Penalties: The Jets were called for 10 penalties on Sunday. While Jacksonville was not any better in that department, the Jets were hurting themselves all day with one bad flag after another. Most of those penalties came on the offense, which is to be expected with a bad quarterback (McCown) and a mediocre offensive line. The Jets have to clean that up, big time.

What's Next? The Jets play the Cleveland Browns Sunday in the Josh McCown Bowl. McCown spent the last couple seasons in Cleveland, so I am sure he will have revenge on his mind. This is a tricky spot for the Jets. Cleveland is 0-4, and is due for a victory. Todd Bowles needs to make sure his team isn't coming into Cleveland too confident.