Jets vs. Broncos Game Recap 9/29/2024

On a gray, rainy Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium, the Jets failed to reach the end zone and lost to the Broncos, 10-9. The loss dropped the Jets to 2-2 and while the Broncos improved to 2-2 after their second consecutive win.

Despite holding the Broncos to 186 net yards, the Jets went 4-of-17 on third down (23.5%) and 0 of 2 in the red zone and were victimized by 13 penalties that resulted in 90 yards of marked off yardage. For only the fifth time in his career, an Aaron Rodgers-led offense did not score a touchdown.

“Obviously it was sloppy,” HC Robert Saleh said. “A lot of pre-snap penalties. They’re already a good defense and we made it easier for them, which is a lack of execution. We had our opportunities. First-and-goal from the 1, have to be able to put it in — didn’t. Had the ball twice with a chance to win — didn’t. Weather withstanding, you have to play detailed when it’s sloppy outside and we had too many self-inflicted wounds.”

It was a defensive back and forth until both teams’ offenses came to life near the end of the third quarter. Denver recorded the game’s sole TD as Bo Nix tossed his first NFL TD pass — an 8-yarder to WR Courtland Sutton — with 3:13 remaining in the third. That gave the Broncos their first lead of the day, 7-6, but Aaron Rodgers grabbed control right back and led the Jets on an 11-play, 53-yard drive that resulted in a 40-yard Greg Zuerlein field goal.

Nix returned the favor, and the Broncos took a 10-9 lead on a Wil Lutz 47-yard field goal with 8:55 remaining.

Taking over with 2:35 on the clock, Rodgers quickly moved the Jets to their own 45 but then had three consecutive misfires before he was sacked by safety P.J. Locke on fourth down. The Jets defense got a stop and Lutz sailed a field goal attempt wide left as the score remained unchanged at 10-9. Rodgers moved the Jets from their 40 to the DEN 32, but Zeurlein’s kick went wide right from 50 yards out with 47 seconds remaining.

“The weather sucked, but so did some of my throws,” Rodgers said. “We had some chances, but way too many mental mistakes, too many poor throws and we missed some easy stuff. Some protection stuff that should’ve been easy, some route adjustments that should’ve been easy. Our focus wasn’t as sharp as it’s been the first three weeks.”

Zuerlein gave the Green & White a 6-0 halftime lead with 23- and 35-yard field goals to bookend the second stanza. In a ragged start, the old AFL rivals played a defensive stalemate for most of the opening half and combined for 10 penalties for with 94 yards (NYJ 7-40, DEN 3-54) heading into intermission.

Nix completed 7 first-half passes and he had -7 yards to show for it against JDC eff Ulbrich’s unit, which had 4 tackles for loss. Rodgers and the Jets’ third-down offense cooled down, converting just 2 of their first 10 third downs, but the Jets QB set up Zuerlein’s scores with a 34-yard pass interference penalty and then a blitz-beater to Allen Lazard late in the second quarter.