Something has to eventually give.
Sunday in Week 3 was another reminder that the New York Jets are still a bit away from competing with some of the best teams in the NFL.
Perhaps competing isn't the right word, but in the simple sense that the Jets were unable to come away with a win, it was another missed opportunity.
There is a lot to like about what the Jets did on both sides of the football throughout this game, losing 31-24 against one of the better teams in the NFL on the road. The Detroit Lions have played some very good football over the past couple of seasons now, and figure to be contenders.
Looking at what the Jets were able to do, offensively speaking, it was an impressive day for quarterback Geno Smith, who was 31 of 37 with 321 yards and three touchdowns.
However, that still wasn't enough for the Jets to get the job done, and that leads to some questions about how they can eventually close this gap.
Being able to compete with these teams is one thing, but not being able to close the gap in the simple sense of winning the game is another. Unfortunately for the Jets, that's another avenue they eventually have to get to.
“The Jets were right there, and that’s not nothing. Those searching for moral victories can find them here. The 2026 Jets are better than the 2025 Jets; there is no question about that. Smith, Garrett Wilson and Kenyon Sadiq all delivered outstanding performances in this one. The Jets have talent and no longer are a team that opponents can sleepwalk against and still win,” Brian Costello of the New York Post wrote.
“But when are the Jets going to close that gap that Glenn referenced with his fingers two inches apart? When are they going to close out these games in the fourth quarter?”
This is now back-to-back weeks in the fourth quarter where not only did the Jets have a chance to win the game, but they probably should have won the game.
Instead, there were some questionable coaching decisions throughout both losses, and the defense didn't necessarily do what was needed. Detroit's offense is one of the best in the NFL, so it makes sense why it was able to put up some points. However, it still felt like a game that the Jets had more than enough chances to win.
