Content available exclusively for subscribers
What I’m about to write will shock some people.
But giving the ball to Braelon Allen isn’t always ideal on fourth-and-one.
And that is what the Jets did with less than two minutes left in regulation on the 50-yard line, trying to get into field-goal range in a 17-17 game.
Some people would say it’s nuts to say a chiseled 240-pound power back isn’t the right guy for that down and distance.
But here is the issue. Allen is an extremely powerful back, but he runs with a tall, upright runner at 6-1 1/4, and if you’re looking for that one yard, it’s better to go with a runner with a low center of gravity, low pad level, who can dip under tacklers.
Packers defensive end Lucas Van Ness stopped the runner for no gain. Not getting a first down here was devastating to the Jets.
Some wonder why the Jets ran on both third-and-two and then fourth-and-one. They had a bad day running the ball, finishing with 27 carries for 67 yards.
And let’s turn to that topic now – the bad day running the ball.
That might have the biggest surprise of Sunday’s game.
The Jets were coming into this game coming off an outstanding Week 1 for their offensive line, both in pass protection and running the ball.
They ran for 152 yards last week.
The Packers were playing today without two of their best players up front in edge Micah Parsons, and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave. Also, a rotational run-stopper, Warren Brinson (6-5, 315) was inactive today as well.
To have as many issues as the Jets had upfront today, considering the talent on their offensive line and the Packers’ injuries upfront, was shocking.
Van Ness, a former 13th pick overall, is now in his fourth year and has not lived up to his draft billing yet. Today, he looked like Reggie White, leading the team with nine tackles and 1.5 sacks. Look, he’s not a bad player, but he looked like an All-Pro today. It was the best game of his career.
Another edge, Barryn Sorrell, a second-year player, making just his third start, also looked All-World out there.
Not sure what the heck was wrong with the Jets’ line today.
But to say one thing in defense of the line – there were plays where Geno Smith had plenty of time to throw, but didn’t seem to trust his eyes, and didn’t make quick decisions.
Whatever coverage Packers DC Jonathan Gannon was dialing up seemed to be making Smith uncomfortable.
And that brings us to another angle to consider about the Jets’ offensive struggles on Sunday.
Frank Reich is a terrific play-caller, but it seemed like Gannon won the chess match with him on Sunday.
It seemed like Gannon had a good feel for Reich’s play-calling and route combinations.
And there might be a good reason for that.
Gannon was Reich’s secondary coach in Indianapolis for three years – 2018-20- so he faced a lot of the Jets’ OC’s concepts in practice during that time.
Gannon’s game plan today was excellent, especially considering the front seven injuries . . .
It was definitely a mixed crowd today at MetLife Stadium, with a lot of Packers fans mixed in the crowd, which was estimated at 55,000.
You heard the “Go, Pack, Go” chant quite a bit, and when the Jets were on offense, there was a lot of noise for them to deal with for a home game . . .
Look, there is nothing wrong with giving the opponent credit after a loss. That is good sportsmanship.
But the narrative that the Jets lost to a really good Green Bay Packers team is a little overblown.
Yes, they have been a good team in recent years, but they entered this game with injury issues, as we mentioned before, and then lost three key players – two in the first series (WR Jayden Reed and OT Zach Tom), and then guard Aaron Brooks shortly thereafter.
There is an old saying in the NFL: “It’s not who you play, it’s when you play them.”
The Jets got the Packers at the right time, and they didn’t take advantage of it.
“Shoutout to Green Bay, they’re a good football team, have been good for years, a perennial playoff contender, led by a great quarterback, great head coach,” said Jets linebacker Demario Davis. “They played good football. They didn’t go away, they’re resilient down the stretch and they made the plays when you need to make them, so you just have to give them the credit.”
“I still think we have a really good team, a team of high potential and we just went into a shootout with a playoff team,” said Jets running back Breece Hall.
Yes, they were a playoff team, but right now, this is not that team, especially with Parsons and RB Josh Jacobs out.
Jets needed to find a way to win this game.
These were not the Lombardi Packers out there today.
September 20, 2026
