Jets' Week 3 shootout vs. Lions was the best game of Aaron Glenn's career

All 1-2 starts are not created equal, and Aaron Glenn and the New York Jets found that out in their 31-24 loss against the Detroit Lions. While past Jets teams would have lied down and given up when the team went down 24-10, Glenn's Jets fought back and managed to tie the game before eventually conceding another touchdown.

The Jets have been 1-2, but Glenn can hold his head high. After a tough Week 2 loss to the Green Bay Packers, in which Glenn's situational awareness and clock control were under fire, the team was much better in Week 3. Considering the circumstances, and even factoring in the loss, this may have been the best-coached game of Glenn's Jets career.

No one would have thought twice if the Jets got steamrolled by a Lions offense that can lean on Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and their Penei Sewell-led offensive line at any given moment. This Jets team put together a spirited effort, and Glenn himself showed that he was able to put this team in a position to win emotionally, schematically, and logistically.

New York Jets' Week 3 loss to Lions was Aaron Glenn's best game as coach

Keep in mind that Glenn and Frank Reich had to work around injuries to Adonai Mitchell, Mason Taylor, and Omar Cooper Jr. before the game. Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson were both off the field on the offense's final play. Still, Geno Smith went 31-for-37 with 320 passing yards and three touchdowns before his fumble on the final drive.

If anyone thought Demario Davis, David Bailey, and a bunch of misfits playing above themselves were going to keep a loaded Lions offense below 30 points, that is on them for not having realistic expectations. Detroit had 3 points at the first-half two-minute warning, and they only started popping off when Jahmyr Gibbs caught fire.

There were no clock management goofs; Glenn passed the analytics test by going for two down eight, and a roster that had no business being in that game nearly pulled off the upset. All of this should earn high marks for Glenn.

New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn performed very well in Week 3

The Jets did dominate the Tennessee Titans in Week 1, but the 0-3 Titans have looked lifeless on offense in two of their last three games and are positioned to be among the worst teams in the league. Detroit is a contender that had extra days to prepare after a primetime embarrassment, all while playing at home against a beat-up roster.

This Jets, to be brief, got out-talented. Detroit has star power, a Top 10 quarterback, and an experienced winner of a coach. When paired with a team missing three pass-catching starters and losing their starting running back, the Jets were not in the same galaxy as Detroit from a talent point of view. The Jets were 28 yards away from either a win or an overtime duel.

While no team wants to be 1-2, New York is showing signs that this team can punch above its weight class and be in just about every game. Glenn is showing that he has learned from some of his mistakes in his first season and can eventually put this team on a path to playoff contention.

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