NY Jets: Too many missed opportunities doom team

The NY Jets (5-4) lose a tough one to their division rival the Buffalo Bills (5-4) in primetime on Thursday Night Football.

As we’ve said in the previous 3 losses for the NY Jets: too many mistakes, too many mental errors and too many turnovers. All of that was prevalent in the Jets’ fourth loss this season and despite a late rally, they weren’t able to top their division rival in the Buffalo Bills.

The game started out how most analysts had predicted in a slow grinding gritty defensive back-and-forth affair, then we ran into those pesky turnovers. Rookie wide receiver Devin Smith had recently been MIA lately and most Jets fans wish he would have stayed that way. Smith brought it deep out of the end zone for a potential return and inevitably went on to cough up the ball for the first touchdown of the game.

That started a wave of momentum for the Bills that they rode to a 19-3 lead into the third quarter as the Jets continued to shoot themselves in the foot. Chris Ivory fumbled and Brandon Marshall let a ball go through his hands which turned into an interception. The game seemed to be getting out of hand quickly until Ryan Fitzpatrick rallied his guys and began their comeback effort.

Nov 12, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) drops back to pass against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Suddenly the Jets’ offense comes to life: Ivory gets going, Decker making tough catches and the Jets continue to cut the deficit. Then the momentum play happens for the Jets with under 7 minutes to go in the game, the Bills fumble the punt and suddenly the Jets have the ball in the red zone down 5 with a chance to win the game.

The Jets got a nice run from Ivory to get within 10 yards of the end zone, then we saw some odd play calls and that wasn’t the first time this game that occurred. In a last ditch effort the Jets decided to go for it on 4th down with a little over 3 minutes to play and Kellen Davis was open for the win, but somehow lost track of the ball in the air and let it slap the ground.

Bowles on late 4th-down decision: “We thought we could win it right there.” pic.twitter.com/xk5l9Auh1H

— New York Jets (@nyjets) November 13, 2015

No one can question head coach Todd Bowles‘ aggressiveness as he constantly went for it on 4th down, but the Jets couldn’t convert. Ivory got over the 100+ yard barrier, but the Jets could have used him a little more effectively in the red zone. Regardless, this was an important game and the Jets didn’t make the plays to win, especially being -4 in the turnover differential department.

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The Jets fall to 5-4 and have a little break until they have to travel to play the Houston Texans where the Jets will look to rebound. The Jets even with the loss, if the season ended today, would make the playoffs, but with a full slate of Week 10 games to go that could very well change.