Postgame: Jets in a (thanks)giving mood, hand game to Panthers
Another brutal loss dropped the Jets to 4-7 on the season and yet again the Jets will be kicking themselves for a series of mistakes, allowing the Panthers to capitalize and win the game despite the fact they struggled to move the ball most of the time.
Let's make a list:
- Austin Seferian-Jenkins drops an easy touchdown pass in the end zone and the Jets settle for a field goal on 4th-and-short;
- Jordan Jenkins jumps offside on 4th-and-short as the Panthers throw an incompletion. They would score the go-ahead touchdown a few minutes later;
- With the Jets down 18-17 Seferian-Jenkins catches another touchdown pass, but this one gets inexplicably overturned by the replay booth and again the Jets have to settle for three on fourth-and-one, having thrown unsuccessfully three times from the goal line;
- With the Jets 20-18 up in the fourth, the Panthers return a Josh McCown fumble and a Lac Edwards punt for touchdowns within minutes of each other to go back to a 32-20 lead; and
- After getting back within five, the Jets stop the Panthers on third and long with a few minutes still remaining, but Mike Pennel's roughing the passer call for a shove long after the throw was released extends the drive.
Carolina kicked a field goal to go up 35-27 with about 30 seconds left and the Jets only got to midfield before time ran out on their next possession.
The loss ruined a breakout performance from Robby Anderson who caught six passes for a career high 146 yards including two long touchdowns. McCown also hit Jermaine Kearse with a touchdown pass and finished up with over 300 yards on the day, although his performance was pretty poor for the most part and his fumble essentially gave the Panthers the winning score.
Dreams of a 4-12 season and the high pick that comes with it are still alive but any hopes for an improbable postseason berth would appear to be doomed.
More analysis to come later on...