Instant analysis of Jets vs. Chiefs: Late turnover proves costly as Jets fall short 23-20
The Jets were never expected to be even close to the Kansas City Chiefs. Yet, quarterback Zach Wilson played maybe the best game of his career to keep the Jets hanging around. But a costly turnover — and a ticky-tack holding penalty — doomed the Jets and dropped the team to 1-3 after a crushing 23-20 defeat to the defending champs on Sunday Night Football in Week 4. Here’s our quick notes from the game.
Final score: Chiefs 23, Jets 20
Game notes
The Jets at least tried passing early. Their first three plays went through the air…for five yards before the Jets went three-and-out and punted.
Before the Jets knew it, it was 10-0 following a 48-yard rushing touchdown from Isiah Pacheco.
After being down 17-0, the Jets got a safety thanks to a Jawaan Taylor face mask. Then things seemed to completely change in the Jets favor. The defense picked up a couple of interceptions and began building a ton of momentum.
Don’t know who this quarterback was, but it wasn’t that Zach Wilson we became accustomed to. He played like he truly felt the fire under him and was a key reason the Jets rallied to tie the game 20-20 early in the third quarter. Who would’ve thought?
And then…the fumble. The Jets looked like they were moving and had a chance to tie or even take the lead in the fourth quarter and Wilson couldn’t catch the snap and turned the ball over. The Jets never got the ball back.
Robert Saleh had every right to be upset about the holding call on Sauce Gardner. He and Marquez Valdes-Scantling were battling. There didn’t really look to be any holding and the flag came out very late. Brutal way for the Jets to lose after fighting their way back from down 17-0.
Settling for field goals didn’t quite help either, especially right before the half when Greg Zuerlein hit one off the upright. The game may not have been lost there, but it’s certainly a moment people will circle back to.
It was over when...
…the Jets allowed first downs on a pair of 3rd and 20-plus plays following the fumbled snap by Zach Wilson. One was a 3rd and 23 in which Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes ran for 25 yards, the other was a holding penalty on Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner that helped convert a 3rd and 20. As it turned out, the Jets never got the ball back after that botched snap.
3 stars of the game
3rd star: QB Zach Wilson – Yes, despite the botched snap, Wilson was key in the Jets even being in this game at all. His drive to start the third quarter was excellent and ended with the game being tied at 20-20 after he scored the two-point conversion.
2nd star: WR Garrett Wilson – Zach Wilson’s game plan turned into “Just get the ball to No. 17.” Never a bad idea. Garrett Wilson was targeted 14 times and hauled in nine of those for 60 yards
1st star: Taylor Swift – Kidding…sort of. But it had to be done.
True 1st star: LBs Quincy Williams and C.J. Mosley – Both linebackers played very well in this one so it feels right to have them split this honor. Williams has gotten better and better in coverage and flies around the field. He led the way with 13 total tackles (10 solo) and Mosley had 11 tackles and an interception (almost had two).
Play of the game
The Jets started the second half with an excellent drive that culminated with Zach Wilson firing a dart to Allen Lazard in the end zone that made the score 20-18 before Wilson added the two-point conversion to tie the game 20-20.
What's next?
The Jets need to regroup after this crushing defeat as they head to the Mile High City next week for the game that became a highlight over the summer thanks to the comments of Sean Payton. Jets at Broncos next Sunday.
