With just over 11 minutes left in the game, the New York Jets (1-1) led the Green Bay Packers (1-1) 17-7 at MetLife Stadium, and it seemed they were on their way to an upset victory.
However, the Jets did not score again. Green Bay responded with 13 unanswered points, including Trey Smack’s game-winning 26-yard field goal, to secure a 20-17 victory.
Jets quarterback Geno Smith, who completed 27-of-41 passes for 247 yards and a touchdown, believes New York has to be better at closing out games.
“We just have to close the game better,” Smith said. “We had the lead obviously in the fourth quarter, as you said, we had opportunities to close out the game, and we didn’t capitalize on those. So, for us, it’s always going to get back to the drawing board and find ways to get better.”
There was plenty not to like about blowing a 10-point fourth-quarter lead. Jets head coach Aaron Glenn did not like the 13 penalties and the team’s inability to capitalize on the Packers’ five fumbles. The Jets recovered only one of those fumbles.
“There are so many things,” Glenn said. “The penalties. And listen, they were on both sides. I think we had 13 and they had 14, so obviously they were calling it like that. We were not good on special teams. We didn’t get a chance to establish the run. Defensively, we allowed the team to come down the field and score. I know it was on a penalty and whatnot, but we had a ton of balls that we punched out and had on the ground, and I think we only came up with one of them. Those are things that really just go through my mind right now.”
Not many expected the Jets to beat the Packers, but the respectable performance meant little to Smith.
“I don’t believe in moral victories,” Smith said. “We didn’t win the game, and that’s all that matters to me.”
The Jets were stopped on fourth-and-1 at midfield with the score tied at 17, ending an opportunity to extend a late drive. They also limited Green Bay to 199 total yards, making the loss even more difficult to accept.
New York had every opportunity to move to 2-0 but could not seal the deal.
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