Lions stave off inspired Jets to cling on again

Although both teams held an even 1-1 record coming into this game, fans of the New York Jets would have been much more positive about their team’s opening pair of weeks, on the back of strong performances from their young, talented stars, who were unlucky not to get over the line and improve to 2-0 against Green Bay last week.

Detroit were simply outclassed last week by the Buffalo Bills, but were nonetheless considered heavy favourites heading into this one, partially due to the team’s tremendous home record in recent seasons.

Neither quarterback was able to inspire their team in the early stages of the game, with the first 5 drives between the teams ending in punts.

Points hit the scoreboard more than 20 minutes into the game, as Jake Bates gave the Lions a minor lead. That was quickly eradicated, however, as the Jets’ offense sprung into life, with Kenyon Sadiq hauling in one of the better touchdown catches the league will see this weekend.

Amon-Ra St. Brown’s 5th touchdown of the season wrenched back the lead for Detroit, although the team’s unconvincing play continued to lack conviction against lowly opposition.

The Lions came out looking like their best selves in the second half. A perfectly compiled drive featured a heavy dose of Jahmyr Gibbs, which typicallty means good things for his team. He found the end zone on a 17-yard run as the home side began to take control of the game in the way most expected coming into it.

Gibbs continued to be the point of difference for Detroit yet again, as the Jets simply had no answer for him, as do very few teams. He scored his second touchdown from the goal line to give the home side a lead that seemed unassailable at 24-10.

Sadiq gave the Jets some hope with a 43-yard catch-and-run to continue a tremendous start to his career, which helped a quick drive to result in a Jeremy Ruckert touchdown as the game suddenly seemed up for grabs.

New York finally conjured an answer for the dangerous Gibbs, stopping him on the game’s most critical 4th down around midfield. Garrett Wilson then pulled in a brilliant catch for a touchdown, setting up a 2-point attempt to tie the game. Geno Smith zipped it through to Sterling Shepard and tied the scores with 4 minutes to play.

Out of nowhere, Isaac TeSlaa came up with a massive gain to shift the momentum back in the home side’s favour. Just like that, Detroit’s one wood returned to the end zone for a third time, as Gibbs’ hattrick put them back in front 31-24.

With the game on the line, the Lions’ defense came up with the biggest play of the afternoon, forcing a fumble by Smith, which was ultimately his first blemish in an otherwise inspired performance by the veteran.

Another inspirational effort from the young Jets, who are truly unlucky not to be 3-0 right now. They’ll continue to grow from these tough losses and will turn them into wins in the near future.

Touchdowns
New York Jets: Sadiq, Ruckert, Wilson
Detroit: Gibbs 2, St. Brown

Top Performers
New York Jets: Sadiq, Smith, Davis, Wilson
Detroit: Gibbs, Izien, Goff, Clark, Campbell

Injuries
New York Jets: Hall (hip), Wilson (unknown)
Detroit:

Crowd: TBC at Ford Field