6 instant takeaways as Jets drop fourth straight in loss to Chiefs

The New York Jets traveled to Arrowhead Stadium for the first time since the 2020 season on Sunday, and with the way they played, they may as well be the 2020 Jets. They lost their fourth straight and dropped to 2-7 on the year.

Nothing really went right for the Jets. They moved the ball enough in the first half, but routinely settled for field goals. The defense did what it could before finally breaking in the second half. It feels like the rope is starting to be let go.

It's hard to say for certain what the Jets could do to fix things at this point. Most likely, nothing will, until major sweeping changes are made to the coaching staff.

Instant takeaways from the New York Jets' loss to Chiefs

Breece Hall-Braelon Allen backfield split

With Breece Hall's first game back in the lineup after a five-game absence, it was always going to be a major storyline regarding how the Jets would split the touches between him and the red-hot Braelon Allen. To start the game, Hall was the "starter" in his first game back.

To start the game, it felt like a 50-50 split, until an Allen fumble allowed Hall to take over for what felt like the remainder of the game. Hall carried the ball 15 times for 61 yards, while Allen received eight carries for 33 yards.

Andrew Beck, kickoff specialist?

The Jets raised some eyebrows this afternoon when they trotted out their fifth tight end/fullback, Andrew Beck, as the kickoff specialist. Couldn't tell you why they did; maybe Chris Banjo wanted to change things up after New York allowed the first kick-return touchdown of the season last week.

Jets still can't finish drives

It's starting to feel like Groundhog Day for the Jets offense. They are quite literally two different teams when operating in their own territory vs. the opponent's. Despite forcing two turnovers in the first half against the Chiefs, they still had to settle for field goals.

In the second half, they fared even worse, if you can believe it. They failed to score any points and went three-and-out on three of their five possessions.

D'Angelo Ponds taking his lumps

After an absolutely brutal outing last week against the Las Vegas Raiders, the Jets benched usual starting nickel cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr. in favor of second-round rookie D'Angelo Ponds, giving fans and analysts what they had been asking for for weeks.

Be careful what you wish for, folks. Yes, it's good to see a young player getting the playing time he needs to continue his development, but Ponds looked like a rookie out there. He got tagged with an untimely penalty late in the second quarter in coverage and was on the receiving end of some big plays.

Welcome back, David Bailey

The No. 2 overall pick in the draft is a good player. After missing Week 8 with a groin injury, David Bailey was back in a big way for the Jets' defense in Week 9. He made his presence felt, harassing Patrick Mahomes in the backfield all day.

Bailey became the first pass rusher over the last 10 seasons with two sacks and two forced fumbles on the same drive.

Jets passing offense missed Garrett Wilson

When Garrett Wilson was ruled out with a concussion this past Friday, there was legitimate reason for optimism that the Jets offense could stay productive even without their best receiver in the lineup. After all, Adonai Mitchell and Omar Cooper Jr. are good players in their own right.

That was not the case in Kansas City. Wilson is clearly so important to the offense, pulling attention away from the likes of Mitchell, Cooper, and the tight ends Kenyon Sadiq and Mason Taylor. Geno Smith definitely felt like he had fewer options when he dropped back.

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