New York Jets make NFL history in the worst way imaginable after finding a nearly impossible way to lose against the Packers
New York became the first team since 1941 to lose a game under a specific set of historically unbeatable circumstances. The defeat stings, but the Jets showed more fight than anyone expected.
The New York Jets made history on Sunday, and they did it in the most painful way imaginable. In their 20-17 overtime loss to the Green Bay Packers, the Jets became the first team on record since 1941 to lose a game while holding an opponent to fewer than 200 total yards, watching that opponent rack up 100-plus penalty yards, and maintaining a positive turnover margin. The Packers managed just 199 yards, committed 133 yards in penalties, and lost the turnover battle.
Entering Sunday, teams were 44-0 in that spot. Because of the Jets, they’re now 44-1. That stat alone adds to the misery of a game New York needed to win and, by every objective measure, should have won.
A game that encapsulates where the Jets are
The loss to the Packers perfectly captures where the Jets stand right now. They are learning how to win, and coach Aaron Glenn is a head coach who is learning how to win alongside them.
There were clock management issues from Glenn late in the game. The fourth-and-1 shotgun run to Braelon Allen, when New York easily could have run something under center or gone to the air, was a questionable call. Offensive Coordinator Frank Reich obviously takes blame for that, but I would imagine he had to get the nod from Glenn.
Also, taking the ball first in overtime is another decision that looks worse in hindsight. I know these are all things easier to critique after the fact, but the Jets made plenty of decisions to lose this football game. That move appeared to be made by a head coach who wanted to make an emotional statement, rather than one who wanted to play the odds on how to win the game.
This is a team full of guys who haven’t won very much. They’re trying to figure it out, and that process comes with growing pains exactly like the ones we saw Sunday.
What realistic expectations should look like
I think the Jets can be a decent team this year, not many people expected them to compete with the Packers. Now, decent may only mean six or seven wins, maybe eight, potentially. I do not think they will be a playoff team. I do not think they will have a winning record. But they can be a decent team this year, and that is the step you should want them to take.
We all know it is unrealistic to expect the Jets to make the playoffs in 2026. But if they do the right things, take the right steps this season, and have another good offseason, it could be realistic to expect them to make the playoffs in 2027. That’s the timeline here, and patience is the price of admission.
The silver lining is real
Look, they made history in the worst possible way, and it adds to the pain of being a Jets fan. But with that being said, New York took the Green Bay Packers down to the wire. I don’t think anyone expected that to happen going into the game. Not many people, at least.
The Jets have shown some good fight through the first two weeks of the season, and honestly, it’s been a long time since they’ve done that. That fight matters, even when it doesn’t show up in the win column yet.
