EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — A torrential pregame downpour turned into a light drizzle at kickoff, giving the Jets ideal conditions for their offensive deluge in a 34-3 win over the Oakland Raiders on Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium.
In an odd bit of symmetry, the Jets came into this game on a two-game winning streak, having scored 34 points in both previous contests, as well.
Sam Darnold took to the air early, throwing a 23-yard pass to Le’Veon Bell on the Jets’ first play from scrimmage. Two plays later, Darnold took a shot over the middle of the field, connecting on a 25-yard pass to receiver Robby Anderson that put the Jets on the Raiders’ 24-yard line. What looked to be a touchdown on the fourth pass of the game ended up being called back on an offensive pass interference penalty, which forced the Jets to settle for a field goal that tied the score at 3-3.
The Jets’ offensive line has taken deserved criticism throughout a season that has been plagued by sacks and quarterback turnovers. Both starting offensive tackles, left tackle Kelvin Beachum and right tackle Chuma Edoga, left the game with injuries, though Beachum later returned with his left ankle heavily bandaged.
During the Jets’ current winning streak, Darnold has shown he can overcome the line play to find consistency. He moved the ball with ease against the Raiders’ defense throughout the first quarter before building a 10-3 lead on a 4-yard scramble for a touchdown.
“I had someone in my way at the goal line, and I did what I could to get into the end zone,” Darnold said.
In the third quarter, Darnold led efficient back-to-back touchdown drives of four plays each, capping each with a 1-yard touchdown pass — to tight end Ryan Griffin and to Anderson — to push the lead to 27-3. Darnold finished his excellent day 20 of 29 for 315 yards and the two touchdown passes. Most important for the second-year quarterback, he finished without an interception for the third time this season.
In arguably its best performance of the season, the Jets’ defense shut down a passing attack that had built up momentum in the Raiders’ three-game winning streak, during which they rose to 10th-ranked in offensive yards per game (371.7), though those wins came against teams with records under .500. Jets cornerback Brian Poole intercepted a Derek Carr pass on the Raiders’ second possession in the second half, returning the ball 15 yards for a touchdown, to make the score 34-3.
After Carr followed that with a six-play drive that ended in a punt, Coach Jon Gruden removed him in favor of the veteran backup Mike Glennon, who promptly fumbled at the Oakland 34-yard line. Carr was pulled after he threw for 127 yards on 15-for-27 passing and the one interception.
The Jets had the N.F.L.’s top run defense entering the game, allowing 79.1 yards per game, and held the Oakland rookie running back Josh Jacobs, who entered the game averaging 92.3 yards rushing per game, to 34 yards on 10 carries. The Raiders crossed the 50-yard line only once in the second half.
“Those guys are always so well prepared,” Jets Coach Adam Gase said. “That’s why it was important for us to take them out of their rhythm.”
Source: Football - nytimes.com
