The New York Jets’ season continued to spiral downward on Sunday afternoon, as they fell to the New England Patriots in a thrilling 25-22 defeat at Gillette Stadium. The loss marked the Jets’ fifth consecutive defeat, dropping their record to 2-6 on the season.
The game was a tale of missed opportunities for the Jets, who outgained the Patriots 336 to 247 yards but couldn’t capitalize in the clutch moments. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, acquired in the offseason to turn around the franchise, threw for 233 yards and two touchdowns but couldn’t lead the team to victory.
“We did not execute in critical moments,” said interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich. “We say that’s not who we are, but it’s who we are until we demonstrate otherwise.”
The Jets’ offense looked promising early, as Rodgers connected with wide receiver Garrett Wilson for a 22-yard gain that set up a go-ahead touchdown run by rookie Braelon Allen with 2:57 remaining in the game. However, a delay of game penalty on the ensuing 2-point conversion attempt pushed the Jets back to the 7-yard line, and Rodgers’ pass fell short of the end zone.
The Patriots took advantage of the mistake, as backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett led them on a 12-play, 70-yard drive that culminated in a 1-yard touchdown run by Rhamondre Stevenson with 25 seconds left on the clock. The Jets had one last chance to tie the game, but Rodgers’ desperation heave into the end zone fell incomplete as time expired.
The loss was especially tough for the Jets, who were playing without starting quarterback Drake Maye, who left the game in the second quarter with a concussion. Maye had started the season as the team’s quarterback but had struggled with consistency, throwing just one touchdown and three interceptions in five games.
Rodgers, who was acquired in a trade with the Green Bay Packers in the offseason, has struggled to turn around the Jets’ fortunes. The team has lost five straight games since a 2-1 start, and Rodgers has thrown just six touchdowns and four interceptions during that span.
“I’ve been in the darkness,” Rodgers said after the game. “You have to go in there and make peace with it.”
The Jets’ defense also struggled against the Patriots, allowing 18 points in the second half after holding them to just seven in the first. The team’s pass rush was ineffective, as they recorded just one sack and four quarterback hits on Brissett.
The loss extends the Jets’ losing streak to five games, and their playoff hopes are all but extinguished. The team is now tied with the Patriots for last place in the AFC East, and they face a tough stretch of games ahead, including a Thursday night tilt against the Houston Texans.
“We talk about being at our best when our best is required, and that was not it,” Ulbrich said. “We have to be better. We’re definitely not playing up to the standard.”
The Jets will need to find a way to turn things around quickly if they hope to avoid another losing season. With Rodgers at the helm and a talented roster, the team has the potential to be a contender, but they’ll need to start executing better in crunch time if they want to achieve their goals.