Two Sam Darnold touchdowns to Ryan Griffin provided inspiration for the New York Jets offense, but it wasn’t enough to squeeze out a road win.
- New York Jets 15 (1-6)
- Jacksonville Jaguars 29 (4-4)
- NFL, Final, Box Score
- TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, FLA
The New York Jets reached the end zone twice this week, but field goals and a pair of six-point counterefforts proved to be their undoing.
Gardner Minshew threw for three touchdowns and Josh Lambo booted three field goals and the Jacksonville Jaguars rolled to a 29-15 victory on Sunday at TIAA Bank Field.
The Jets took the early lead, surprisingly after missing allowing a touchdown to start. Jacksonville needed just four plays to go 77 yards. Their final play was Minshew’s six-yard pass to Keelan Cole. Lambo missed the extra point, however, leading to a New York opportunity.
For the first time in 30 games, the Jets scored on their opening possession, as Sam Darnold led them on a 12-play, 93-yard trek. On the last play, Ryan Griffin caught a 24-yard pass for a touchdown to give the Jets a 7-6 lead.
Gardner Minshew finds Keelan Cole for 6️⃣ pic.twitter.com/BkXyRH6xv6
— uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) October 27, 2019
Ryan Griffin finding paydirt #NationalTightEndsDay pic.twitter.com/oFfNG4khSg
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) October 27, 2019
Chances for further momentum, however, went for naught after a familiar foe arose … the turnover. The Jets opened their next drive with a 16-yard pass from Darnold-to-Griffin, but a Tre Herndon interception gave the Jaguars the ball right back.
The defense did what they could to keep things close, as they limited the Jaguars to mostly Lambo arrivals over the second and third frames. Dents into the lead failed to come with them, as Darnold was sacked seven times over the course of the afternoon.
Tre Herndon brings in his first career pick of the season.#DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/rxBUkWPiw5
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) October 27, 2019
#Jaguars DE @YannickNgakoue gets to 33.5 career sacks — third most in franchise history!
One more sack and he’s officially SECOND MOST in franchise history.
— Big Cat Country (@BigCatCountry) October 27, 2019
It appeared that the defense’s efforts would finally be supported, as Darnold capped off another 75-yard drive with a nine-yard pass to Griffin. The tight end also earned a two-pointer to trim the lead to 22-15. Jacksonville kicked once again to give the Jets another opportunity for a big score.
Ryan Griffin isn't human today. #TakeFlightpic.twitter.com/AgiyB7mZ7D
— ESNY (@EliteSportsNY) October 27, 2019
Once again, however, Darnold was haunted by a familiar ghost of an interception.
Another errant pass, this one into the hands of A.J. Bouye, the Jaguars needed just 24 yards to pull off the finishing touch, a nine-yard pass into the hands of DJ Chark from eight yards out.
AJ Bouye takes it away! #DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/aDXxQp29sE
— uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) October 27, 2019
The Jets (1-6) will look for a win next weekend back in the Sunshine State, as they take on the Miami Dolphins (1 p.m. ET, CBS).
