Jets blow 10-point fourth-quarter lead in overtime loss to Packers
Geno Smith of the Jets reacts after an overtime loss to the Green Bay Packers at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. Credit: Jim McIsaac
The Jets gave away ponchos to their fans who filled MetLife Stadium on a rainy Sunday. Then they gave away a game.
Aaron Glenn’s team squandered a 10-point fourth-quarter lead and imploded down the stretch of regulation and in overtime. The Jets suffered a 20-17 loss to Green Bay in their home opener.
Trey Smack kicked a 26-yard field goal 4:37 into overtime to help the Packers escape with the victory.
Optimism was high after the Jets dominated Tennessee in Week 1. But they came back to earth with this performance, which could have easily been a win.
The Jets received the ball first in overtime and went backwards. Geno Smith was sacked on first and second downs. Isaiah Williams was called for a false start on third down. It set up a third-and-30 from the Jets’ 10. Smith threw a 12-yard pass to Kenyon Sadiq.
The Packers started their series on the their 34. On second-and-7 from the 48, Jordan Love completed a pass to Jordan Brooks for 15 yards. Another 15 was tacked on after Jarvis Brownlee Jr. was flagged for a personal foul on a late hit.
Geno Smith completed 27 of 41 passes for 271 yards and a touchdown. Adonai Mitchell caught six passes for 63 yards. Garrett Wilson had five catches for 57 yards and a touchdown. Breece Hall only rushed for 29 yards on 16 carries.
Love was 16-for-29 for 145 yards and two touchdowns.
The Jets led 17-7 with just over 11 minutes left in the fourth quarter. Green Bay tied it on Smack’s 34-yard field goal with 2:59 left. The Jets’ normally reliable special teams allowed a 63-yard punt return from Skyy Moore that led to Smack’s field goal.
Smith started the next drive on the Jets’ 30 with 2:54 left. The Jets had a third-and-2 from their own 49. Hall was stopped after a 1-yard gain. Aaron Glenn chose to go for it on fourth down. Braelon Allen was tackled for no gain.
The Packers took over with 1:15 left. Love threw incomplete on first and second downs. He threw a 5-yard pass to Christian Watson on third down. Regulation ended with Kingsley Enagbare sacking Love.
The Jets took a 14-7 lead with 2:30 left in the third quarter on a 5-yard touchdown pass from Smith to Wilson. The Jets, who had just 17 yards rushing in the first half, got their ground game going on this drive.
Smith scrambled for a 6-yard run on third down – which was their longest run to that point. The Jets had back-to-back 14-yard runs later on that possession. A roughing the passer penalty gave the Jets a first-and-goal from the 5. Smith connected with Wilson on the next play.
The Jets couldn’t capitalize on a scoring opportunity on their next series after a 43-yard catch-and-run by Hall gave them a first down at the Packers’ 40. Smith escaped the pocket and ran for 7 yards on first down to Green Bay’s 33.
On the next play, Smith pitched it to Allen. He looked like he was expecting a handoff. The pitch sailed past Allen and Smith pounced on it for a 14-yard loss. Smith was sacked on third down.
The defense gave the ball right back to Smith. Kingsley Enagbare knocked the ball loose from running back MarShawn Lloyd and Harrison Phillips recovered it on the Packers’ 18. The Jets turned the turnover into points, and a two-score lead. Jason Sanders kicked a 32-yard field goal to make it a 10-point game with 11:04 left.
The Jets had a fourth-and-1 from the Green Bay 9. They lined up as if they were going for it. The Jets tried to make Green Bay jump offsides, but it didn’t work. The Jets settled for the Sanders’ kick.
The Packers cut it to 17-14 on their next possession. They were helped by a 37-yard pass interference penalty on Azareye’h Thomas defending Matthew Golden. It gave Green Bay a first down at the Jets’ 38. Four plays later, Love threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Christian Watson with 7:58 remaining
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
