The New York Jets’ 27-6 loss on Monday night to the Los Angeles Chargers can be summed in one word: miscues.
Zach Wilson failed to get rid of the ball when needed, and he was sacked a season-high seven times and fumbled on three occasions (two lost).
The Jets also failed to get into the end zone, while committing eight penalties and not getting the conversions and stops on both sides of the ball when they needed to.
The real backbreaker started late in the third quarter, when the Chargers went on a season-long 16 play, 68-yard drive and converted on four of five third downs. While it only resulted in a field goal on that possession, it pushed the Chargers’ lead to 20-6 early in the fourth quarter and ultimately put the game out of reach.
Simply put, outside of that one drive, the Jets’ defense did what it could, holding L.A. to under 200 total yards of offense. Wilson and company just couldn’t get anything going offensively from the opening kickoff this evening.
This is the Jets’ (4-4, third in AFC East) first loss in over a month when they came up just short in a 23-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 4. They travel to Las Vegas to take on the Raiders on Sunday night.
For the Chargers (4-4, second in AFC West), they leapfrog the Jets in the AFC playoff picture and host a big game against the second-best team in the NFC in the Detroit Lions.
Here’s what we saw Monday night in East Rutherford:
Jets fail to find end zone on final offensive play
After finally being able to move the ball on the last drive with most of the Chargers’ defensive starters resting, it was only fitting that they were stopped at the 1-yard line on their final play on offense.
Final score: Chargers 27, Jets 6
Chargers’ Austin Ekeler punches in his second TD to put this one away
The game is officially out the hand as many of the Jets’ faithful head to exits after Los Angeles extendits lead to three scores.
Score update: Chargers 27, Jets 6
Chargers’ Khalil Mack gets in on the fun, strip sacking Wilson
It just continues to get worst for Wilson and the Jets, who continuously can’t hold onto the ball and give the Chargers great field position.
Sackfest continues for Chargers; Tuli Tuipulotu gets team’s sixth sack of Wilson
Wilson and the Jets’ offensive line struggles continue all night long as the QB was sacked yet again on a crucial third and long. New York will need a miracle now to get back in this game.
Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker adds on another field goal
This drive could be the back breaker for the Jets. While New York held them to just three points, the Chargers held on to the ball for a season-long 16 plays that took up more than eight minutes of game time and converted four first downs, including a must-see catch from wide receiver Keenan Allen to keep the drive alive.
Jets pass rush duo nearly cause huge turnover deep in Chargers’ territory
Will McDonald IV and Solomon Thomas combined for a sack and fumble of Chargers QB Justin Herbert, but Herbert was able to recover from the oncoming Michael Clemons. End of the third quarter.
End of third quarter: Chargers 17, Jets 6
Another Chargers’ sack by Joey Bosa forces a brutal Jets’ punt
This one could be proven to be costly. It was the fourth Chargers’ sack on third down and kicked Gang Green out of field goal range.
Jets’ convert on fourth and short with Breece Hall direct snap
The Jets’ starting running back further extends the team’s time on offense as he gains two yards and march further into L.A. territory.
Defensive pass interference on Chargers’ Derwin James extends Jets’ drive
The penalty eliminates the Jets having to punt and pushes the ball to midfield.
Greg Zuerlein adds another FG goal to cut into Chargers’ lead
The Jets got points on what was easily their best drive of the game. It could’ve been even better but Zach Wilson was sacked on back-to-back plays for a loss of 17 yards.
Score update: Chargers 17, Jets 6
Wilson-to-Wilson connect for big play to start second half
The longest play for either team comes on the first play of the third quarter as the duo convert for 31 yards into Chargers’ territory.
Chargers’ kicker Cameron Dicker drills 55-yard field goal to end first half
Dicker converts on the long field goal attempt to extend the Chargers’ lead to two touchdowns. The sloppy first half that featured 11 punts is officially over.
Score update: Chargers 17, Jets 3
Boos reign down after Zach Wilson is sacked
Neither team can get anything going on offense as Wilson is dropped for a 9-yard loss on third down, forcing the Jets to punt for a fourth time as we hit the two-minute warning.
Jets defense forces yet another punt
Since allowing the Ekeler touchdown, the Chargers have punted on three straight drives and only have 17 combined yards on their last 11 plays.
Jets finally get on the board
New York officially puts up some points as Greg Zuerlein nails a 47-yard field goal with just under six minutes left in the first half.
Score update: Chargers 14, Jets 3
Offense continues to sputter for Jets
The Jets nearly give the ball to the Chargers’ with great field position after a botched pitch between Zach Wilson and Breece Hall but are able to recover and punt on fourth down deep in their own territory.
Jets’ defense stands tall
New York’s defensive line finally gets to Herbert as Jermaine Johnson records his third sack in two games and his fifth of the season. Now it’s time for Zach Wilson and company to get going on offense.
More miscues for Jets as first quarter ends
On the final play, Chargers’ tight end Gerald Everett, who was initially met at the line of scrimmage, broke multiple tackles and ended up gaining 17 yards to close out the first 15 minutes of action.
End of 1st quarter: Chargers 14, Jets 0
Jets offense stalls again in final drive of first quarter
The drive started off well with a Breece Hall 14-yard run but was negated due to an illegal shift penalty on New York.
Chargers’ offense finds end zone with Austin Ekeler on the ground to extend lead to 14-0
Ekeler scores his third touchdown of the season with this one from the one-yard line. Nothing going right for the Jets as the first quarter winds down in the Meadowlands.
Zach Wilson fumbles on Jets ensuing drive to give Chargers great field position
After a good start that featured an up tempo drive, Zach Wilson now loses a fumble with a Bosa strip sack and fumble recovery as the Chargers have the ball around midfield. A nightmare start continues for the Jets.
Garrett Wilson miscue leads to Chargers ball after promising drive
With the Jets’ driving down the field thanks to a roughing the passer penalty on defensive end Joey Bosa, they cough it up as Wilson fumbles and it’s recovered by Chargers’ Alohi Gilman.
Chargers take early lead on Derius Davis punt return for touchdown
After the Jets have a quick three-and-out of their own, the Chargers punt returner takes the return 87 yards for a touchdown to give Los Angeles a quick 7-0 lead early in the first quarter.
Jets’ defense starts strong, forces three-and-out on first drive
44 seconds. That’s all the time the Chargers had with the ball during their first drive. Huge breakup by Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner on second down.
Aaron Rodgers all the talk during pregame
Unsurprisingly, the Jets’ QB made headlines on his way into MetLife Stadium earlier this afternoon. First, the four-time NFL MVP didn’t use his usual cart heading into the locker room but rather walked down the tunnel on Monday evening.
A short while later, Rodgers was being seen for the first time taking three-step drops and launching passes downfield.
This is huge because tonight marks exactly two months since he tore his Achilles in the Week 1 regular-season opener versus the Buffalo Bills.
