5th consecutive defeat for the Jets who changed quarterback for the 4th time this season. Atlanta wins, but is far from convincing.
New York Jets (4-8) – Atlanta Falcons (6-6): 8-13
Being a quarterback for the New York Jets this season means a tough game every week. The Zach Wilson experience lasted 10 games, that of Tim Boyle (14/25, 148 yards, INT) lasted 3. After 25 passes thrown and a new interception, Robert Saleh had seen enough and put him on the bench.
In a match with 11 penalties and 3 turnovers, the Jets lost the match alone, and undoubtedly said goodbye to the playoffs with this 5th consecutive defeat. This could allow Aaron Rodgers to rest longer, despite his return to training this week.
On the Atlanta side, the team is balanced on the balance sheet, mainly thanks to its defense. The experienced players make the difference, with Bud Dupree (2 sacks) and Jessie Bates III, again author of an interception. But the attack is still sluggish, even if it has never lost the ball. Desmond Ridder (12/27, 121 yards, TD) barely completes 50% of his passes. Advocating the ground game, the Falcons only gain 3 yards per play. In total, the attack only makes 195 yards. If the victory provides a reprieve for Arthur Smith, the Falcons will have to do better if they want to hope to finish at the top of their division.
The defense has the floor
We expected this meeting to be defensive. There was no shortage of that. After 4 punts, including 1 exceptional one from Thomas Morestead 1 yard from the Falcons end zone, the Jets struck first with a safety on Bijan Robinson (18 races, 53 yards) following this punt. Atlanta responds with a fumble from Dalvin Cook (9 races, 35 yards). The momentum changes, and Atlanta punishes with a touchdown from tight end MyCole Pruitt.
The Jets offense is less bad than last week, notably with a flea flicker by Tim Boyle for Xavier Gipson (5 REC, 77 yards). Unfortunately, it's too little against an Atlanta team which is starting to show its claws, helped by the stupid penalties of the Jets. New York is not dropped, but is still behind at halftime. (10-5)
Never without my interception
After a field goal on each side, the 2 attacks no longer respond. If Atlanta's is blocked by a Desmond Ridder chaining missed but incomplete passes. That of the Jets falls back into its shortcomings with Tim Boyle who throws (already) his 4th interception in 3 games. On this play, Jessie Bates III catches her 5th interception of the season. The consequence is immediate for Robert Saleh: change of quarterback, and entry of Trevor Siemian (5/13, 66 yards).
The replacement will barely do better, but will commit a costly loss of ball. Siemian will have another chance, but the Atlanta defense finishes the job. A second half which ends in a 3-3 draw, in a match where we will only remember the victory, and that's it.
Ridder to Pruitt puts the @AtlantaFalcons on the board!
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