Jets defense allows 17 second-half points to fall to 2-6 in 38-33 loss
New York conceded three straight touchdowns after halftime to drop to 2-6, marking the fifth time this season the team lost by a single score.
By Nikolai Patterson ·
The New York Jets surrendered a nine-point halftime lead and failed to stop the Las Vegas Raiders in the closing minutes, losing 38-33 on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
Las Vegas trailed 21-12 at the break but scored touchdowns on its first three possessions in the second half. The decisive score came on a two-yard pass from Kirk Cousins to Jalen Nailor, which extended the Raider lead to 35-30. The Jets dropped to 2-6 with the result, extending a season-long trend of narrow defeats. They have lost five of their six games by one score.
Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty had criticized the Jets defense earlier in the week, claiming some players did not want to tackle. Jeanty carried the ball twice for nine yards on Sunday. The Jets’ struggles were less about physical avoidance and more about execution and penalty management. Coach Aaron Glenn, who calls defensive plays, said the team gave up too many points to win.
"There’s no team that can give up that many points and expect to win. That’s tough," Glenn said. "I’ve got to do a better job of getting us in the right plays, and we’ve got to do a better job of executing and winning our one-on-ones, too."
Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick described the second-half effort as "very, very disappointing." He noted that the defense failed to stop known offensive threats, specifically citing tight end Brock Bowers. Bowers finished with seven receptions for 92 yards and two touchdowns. Jeanty also contributed to the final scoring drive with a 45-yard screen pass reception that moved the ball to the Jets 13.
Penalties altered the flow of two critical Raiders drives. In the third quarter, Brandon Stephens was called for defensive holding on an incomplete pass. Three plays later, Bowers caught a two-yard touchdown pass that cut the Jets lead to 23-21. Later in the same quarter, Jarvis Brownlee Jr. was flagged for pass interference on an incomplete pass. Cousins ran for a one-yard touchdown on the ensuing drive, narrowing the gap to 30-28.
Glenn replaced defensive coordinator Steve Wilks late last season and now serves as the primary defensive play caller. Brian Duker holds the defensive coordinator title, but Glenn oversees the unit’s operations. Glenn said the dual role is a challenge he welcomes, but the current results indicate the defense needs structural and executional improvements.
