The Broncos entered Week 4 with Brett Rypien — a third-string quarterback who Avery Williamson admitted he had no idea existed prior to this week — under center. They were also without star wide receiver Courtland Sutton, running back Phillip Lindsay and a large chunk of their starting defense.

And the Jets still couldn’t beat them.

Despite featuring a superior team for once, New York could not get the job done against Denver on Thursday Night Football, falling in the final minutes by a final score of 37-28. Gang Green’s latest loss might have been a close one that came down to the wire, but it was arguably the most embarrassing of the season considering the Jets had the talent advantage and lost to an undrafted free agent quarterback making his first career start on a short week.

The Jets are now 0-4 and the laughing stock of the NFL. Adam Gase will likely survive his latest loss, but his time in the Big Apple is undoubtedly running short. At this point, it’s a matter of when, not if.

Game Balls

Jamison Crowder: As expected, Crowder was Sam Darnold’s favorite target on Thursday night, catching seven of his nine targets for 104 yards. The Jets might not be a good team, but at least they have a talented slot receiver like Crowder as a bright spot.

Jeff Smith: Smith made a major impact in his return from injured reserve, catching seven passes for 81 yards, including a 21-yard reception in the second quarter. Smith’s numbers might not be eye-popping, but he was a key component in New York’s offense on Thursday night.

Sam Ficken: Ficken nailed all five of his field goal attempts against the Broncos, including a 54-yard boot and a go-ahead 36-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. The Penn State product has drawn plenty of criticism throughout his time with the Jets, but he was on the money in Week 4.

Quick Thoughts

-So…Mekhi Becton wasn’t healthy enough to start, but he was healthy enough to take over for Chuma Edoga on New York’s first series? What exactly was the logic there?

-Sam Darnold or Lamar Jackson? What a way for the Jets to take their first lead of 2020 — and for Darnold to etch his name into franchise lore with the longest ever rushing touchdown by a Gang Green quarterback.

-Big TFL for undrafted free agent Bryce Huff to force the Broncos into attempting a field goal on their first drive of the game. Could New York have something in the Memphis product?

-Six personal fouls on Gregg Williams’ defense. Absolutely no discipline from what is supposed to be New York’s strongest unit.

-Speaking of a lack of discipline, Quinnen Williams just can’t get out of his own way with the mistakes he makes on a weekly basis. The penalties he gets flagged for are inexcusable — especially for a former top-five draft pick.

-Maybe the 49ers’ gripe with MetLife Stadium’s turf was warranted. Lawrence Cager’s injury gives credence to their claim of the playing surface being unsafe.

-Awful red zone play-calling by Adam Gase throughout the game. Consecutive runs up the middle with Frank Gore aren’t going to get the job done. Why not let Darnold air it out?

-It’s extremely head-scratching why Alec Ogletree is getting more playing time than Williamson. Ogletree just doesn’t have it anymore, yet the Jets insist on playing him.

-Darnold looks his most comfortable orchestrating an up-tempo offense. Gase should consider running some more no-huddle and a faster pace to play to his quarterback’s strengths.

-Gase’s refusal to use La’Mical Perine is absurd. Let’s face it, the Jets are going nowhere in 2020. Why is 37-year-old Frank Gore taking all of the carries while Perine languishes on the sideline? He’s not going to develop if he doesn’t get the ball.

-Gase’s play call on New York’s two-point conversion attempt in the fourth was…not smart. Why roll Darnold out on the two-yard line and take away half the field? It plays to his strengths to get him out of the pocket, but not in such a condensed area.

-Ficken was on the hot seat all summer and delivered a cold-blooded performance against the Broncos. It’s only right to give credit where credit is due.

-Chris Herndon has been bad this season. So much for his standout training camp.

-New York’s makeshift offensive line finally caught up to it with the game on the line. It’s a wonder the group didn’t collapse sooner than it did.

-Well, you can officially put a nail in the coffin of the Jets’ 2020 season. If New York can’t beat a downtrodden Denver squad, who can it beat? It’s going to be a rough next two months at One Jets Drive.