Sean Payton and the Denver Broncos gave the New York Jets every opportunity to get the win on Sunday afternoon.
But somehow, after two failed drives and a missed field goal in a rainy MetLife Stadium, the Broncos escaped with a win. The Broncos defeated the Jets 10-9 on Sunday afternoon, despite Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers pulling off a perfect game-winning drive in the final moments. That made both teams 2-2 this season.
The Broncos opened up a one-point lead on a Wil Lutz field goal midway through the fourth quarter. Rodgers and the Jets then had plenty of opportunities to regain the lead and win the game, but each time they fell short.
First, Rodgers nearly fumbled the ball away while trying to scramble for a first down. He appeared to hit his knee awkwardly when he was also brought down for the sack, and he moved slowly for the rest of the game. That forced a punt and gave Denver the ball back late in the period.
However, after a quick 3-and-out, the Jets got the ball back with plenty of time to work with. But their next drive lasted just 45 seconds, and Rodgers was sacked for a 10-yard loss on fourth down.
Despite taking over at the Jets’ 35-yard line, the Broncos only managed to gain three yards. So with less than 90 seconds left, Payton elected to attempt a 50-yard field goal instead of kicking to pin the Jets deep. Of course, that field goal attempt missed.
So Rodgers went back for one last chance at victory, and he almost had them there. Rodgers quickly got the Jets up the field to get within field goal range. But after an incomplete pass on third down, the Jets had to attempt a 50-yard field goal of their own from Greg Zuerlein. That was also finished.
So in the end, the Broncos got the one-point victory.
Rodgers went 24 of 42 for 225 yards in the loss to the Jets. It was only the fifth time in Rodgers’ career that his offense failed to score a touchdown in a game. Braelon Allen led them on the ground with 34 rushing yards, and Mike Williams had 67 yards on four catches. Allen Lazard, who was hit with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for flashing gun symbols with his hands after a catch in the second half, added 58 yards on five completions.
Although they got the win, the Broncos offense struggled all day. Quarterback Bo Nix was just 12 of 25 for 60 yards. He also had -7 yards in the first half, and he completed just five passes in the final 30 minutes of the game. Nix threw the only touchdown of the game in the third quarter when he found Courtland Sutton for an 8-yard score. Sutton had 60 yards on three catches. Javonte Williams also added 77 yards on the ground.
Even though they head back west with back-to-back wins now under their belts, it was as if the Broncos were trying to hand out the win Sunday afternoon. Remarkably, the Jets couldn’t take advantage.
