Chris Ivory carried the Jets for much of the game Thursday night, including this goal line plunge.
Credit: Getty Images
They lost the game, but the Jets again showed their 1-6 record isn’t a fair indicator of how good they are.
The Jets lost to the Patriots 27-25 on Thursday night, but some good things emerged.
The Jets went toe-to-toe with one of the best teams in the AFC in a nationally televised game and lost on a blocked field goal attempt at the end of the game. Four of the Jets’ losses this year have been by eight points or less. If the schedule were more balanced, this team could be in a very different spot right now.
We look at three things that went right in the loss.
1. Geno does it right
The Patriots came into the game with the third-best pass defense in the league, and the Jets had the fourth-worst passing offense. In short, it was supposed to be a recipe for disaster. Yet, it didn’t quite turn out that way. The numbers weren’t big from quarterback Geno Smith, but he was efficient and devoid of turnovers — a major plus. He ran when he needed to and he nickel and dimed the ball down the field. Smith finished 20-of-34 for 226 yards and a touchdown. It was his first game this year without an interception and perhaps something to build on.
2. Ground ’em, pound ’em
With so much talent in their backfield, it is amazing how quiet the Jets offense has been running the ball this season. That wasn’t the case on Thursday night, as Chris Ivory topped 100 yards rushing early in the third quarter and Smith scrambled his way to sizable contributions as well. The ability to run the ball kept the Jets in the game and kept New England from stacking the box. Ivory finished with 107 yards on the night on 21 carries and Chris Johnson added 61 yards as well. The ability to run the ball was a huge boost to the offense and opened things up down the field for the passing game.
3. It’s Folk
You can’t blame Nick Folk for that blocked field goal attempt as time expired. He needed to kick it low to get the required distance. But Folk went into that final kick having made four field goals and was 13-for-13 on the season. He had field goals of 47 yards and 46 yards as well. His kickoffs were strong, too. At some point soon, he needs to start getting some attention for the Pro Bowl. He’s kicking at an elite level.
Follow Jets beat writer Kristian Dyer on Twitter @KristianRDyer.
