Leave it to the Jets to spoil New York's first opportunity to see the Giants and Jets win on the same weekend in almost two years. The Jets watched a 16-point lead slip away as, once again, the Jets couldn't must any offense and the coaching staff had no answers in a frustrating 26-22 loss in Nashville, Tennessee.
Aside from a 31-yard interception return for a touchdown by Trumaine Johnson, the Jets did absolutely nothing on the offensive side of the ball, settling for five field goals instead. There is an old saying in football: "settle for field goals, you lose." And that is exactly what happened to Gang Green on Sunday.
Of the eight possessions the Jets had in the second half, only one drive lasted longer than 2:30 minutes, and even that drive (a 15-play, 55-yard drive that ate up seven minutes) ended in a field goal. The Jets punted five times in the second half, and managed only 54 yards of offense in the fourth quarter alone.
What has to make things even more frustrating for the Jets, Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota was doing everything he could to gift wrap the game to the Jets, but even that wasn't enough.
Twice Mariota moved the Titans deep into Jets territory thanks to dimes of 55 and 44-yards respectively that he dropped into the hands of Taywan Taylor, and twice the Tians could only get field goals as the Jets held on to a 22-19 advantage.
All the Jets had to do was get some first downs and the game would be over. But, nooooooo! Not with these New York Jets. No, sir.
The Jets got ultra-conservative with their offense down the stretch. Facing a third and two, back-up quarterback Josh McCown threw a wobbly pass into the ground that tight end Chris Herndon couldn't scoop up for a first down with 4:10 left in the game.
Then, facing a third and five at their own 40-yard line with two minutes to go, the Jets decided to ram it down the middle with Trenton Cannon of all people for no gain. The Jets had to punt ... again.
And this time Marcus Mariota made them pay. The Jets had Mariota sacked on second and ten at the Titans own 11-yard line, but an illegal hands to face penalty was called on Janoris Jenkins giving Tennessee a new set of downs. On the next play, Mariota dashed through the Jets front seven for a 25-yard gain, and fumbled the football back to New York at the Tennessee 44-yard line. However, Trumaine Johnson went from hero to goat (and I don't mean G.O.A.T) when he was flagged for a face-mask penalty.
How many Christmas presents can the Jets doll out to their opponents?
Mariota finally connected with tight end Anthony Frisker who was wide open for 25-yards to the Jets 14-yard line. Two plays later Mariota found Corey Davis at the Jets six, who caught the football and carried three Jets on his back into the end zone for the winning score.It was fitting that the games final play ended on a Josh McCown interception to seal the deal for the Titans who improve to 6-6.
As for the Jets, Sunday's loss was another example how poorly coached this football team is. Todd Bowles can't discipline this football team, and time after time they shoot themselves in the feet with either stupid penalties or turnovers. This was a game the Jets should have won. A good team would have put the Titans down, but the Jets are anything but good.
Ironically, on a day where the Green Bay Packers fired their coach Mike McCarthy after 13-years on the job, Todd Bowles still has his job with Jets. Please explain, because we can't.
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