New York Jets: Three takeaways from the loss to the Patriots

The Jets Must Learn to Close

The Jets have already outperformed just about everyone’s expectations. Winning three games was a lot of high watermark some had for the season. The Jets have already won three. Playing well against the Patriots was not expected either. Many were seeing a blowout in the Jets future. A 24-17 result is proof positive that this team is heading in the right direction. The quick development is exciting for any fan.

Now they have to learn how to play with a lead. It’s not the same as playing from behind. When playing with a lead, you have to learn how to put a team away. When up by 14 points, the great teams can increase that lead to 17 points, or 21 points, to put their feet to the throat of their opponent. That’s a metaphor of course, but the idea is that they take their lead and put the other team away. That’s what a great team does.

The Jets had that opportunity when up 14-0 early. Another touchdown, or even a field goal could have gone a long way to changing the feel of this game. Instead, the Jets strung three and outs together, giving the Patriots time to find their footing and get back in the game. By the time the offense got going in the second half, Tom Brady was already rolling. They couldn’t put the hammer down so they had it go down on them.

To become great, the Jets have to take a lead and learn how to hold it.