There are no such things as moral victories in the NFL. But after today’s game, you’d have to admit the 2026 edition of the New York Jets are not the same old Jets, even though they lost to Detroit, 31-24.
Gang Green had the ball and a shot at tying the game in the final seconds after battling back from two scores down and stopping the Lions on a key fourth and short with 8:32 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Jets were on the move, even without injured stars Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall, both battered in the line of duty.
But for the first time in 11 quarters this year, the Jets had a turnover. It came as quarterback Geno Smith fumbled as he was swarmed by the Lions pass rush in the final seconds and linebacker Jack Campbell recovered, ending any Jets hopes.
This was a classic back-and-forth matchup. The Lions seemed to dominate the first few quarters, as the Jets offensive line was having problems dealing with the Detroit rush. The Jets vaunted defense also had trouble with Detroit’s underneath game and the talents of running back Jahmyr Gibbs (165 yards total offense, including three touchdowns).
But the Jets woke up in the fourth quarter. They scored twice and had a two-point conversion to tie things at 24-24 before Gibbs scored on an 11-yard pass from quarterback Jared Goff with 2:25 remaining to put his team ahead for good.
The Jets were down No. 2 receiver Adonai Mitchell for the entire game, but the Lions game marked the coming out party for rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq. He had 105 receiving yards on 7 receptions, including a spectacular diving catch for 24 yards in the second quarter for the Jets’ first score.
Although he was sacked five times, Jets quarterback Smith kept punching. He finished with 328 yards on 31-37 passing with three touchdowns. He did it without a running game that was sub-par for the second game in a row, generating just 58 yards and losing Breece Hall to a thigh injury.
The game was billed as a matchup between longtime friends Aaron Glenn, the head coach of the Jets, and Detroit head coach Dan Campbell. They hugged at midfield when the clock ran out, but it was as much a display of exhaustion as anything.
Their two teams stood toe-to-toe, and although the Jets fell short, they proved they can hang with good teams. That’s progress from last year’s 3-14. Next up is learning to win these tight games.
