EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsEAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Former All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick is only eight games into his New York Jets tenure, but he already has a label for the way they lose games -- a new way to describe an old problem.The latest defeat was particularly galling for the Jets, who scored on their first six possessions Sunday but still managed to fall to the Las Vegas Raiders 38-33 at MetLife Stadium.Afterward, Fitzpatrick calmly explained the second-half downfall of the defense, culminating with a zinger that, in some ways, has been resonating for many years."I think we had some bad penalties, bad mistakes," Fitzpatrick said. "Jets being Jets."Stinging, but accurate.The Jets led 30-21 with 8:26 left in the third quarter, but they allowed scores on three of the next four possessions to drop their third consecutive game. The Raiders (4-4) had lost four in a row; the Miami Dolphins were 0-5 before upsetting the Jets last week.Coach Aaron Glenn made it his mission is to expunge the "Same Old Jets" narrative that has enveloped the franchise for decades, but he has lost 20 out of 25 games and his job security is a burning issue. This season, they're 1-5 in one-score games, in large part, because they self-destruct in pressure situations.Fitzpatrick dredged up the narrative with his postgame comment, which gained immediate traction on social media. Two hours after the game, a Jets spokesman said Fitzpatrick meant to say, "Jets beating the Jets."The Jets (2-6) became the second team since 2000 to lose a game after scoring on their first six possessions. (The Tampa Bay Buccaneers did it in 2019, losing to the New York Giants.)They played their best offensive game in years, with a 147-yard rusher (Braelon Allen) and 142-yard receiver (Adonai Mitchell) and a 290-yard passer (Geno Smith). Even Garrett Wilson, a non-factor in recent weeks, got involved -- six receptions for 83 yards.The Jets amassed a season-high 439 yards, but they scored touchdowns on only two of six trips to the red zone, leaving valuable points on the field.In the end, it came back to bite them."We've got to be on our s--- that much more, and we haven't been," Wilson said of red-zone issues. "It's all about being a sniper. I've said that before and that's got to be the mentality. You get one shot at the scene."Glenn lamented the defensive collapse in the second half -- 24 points allowed. He took control of the defense this season, claiming that his "superpower" is running that side of the ball, but his unit has spiraled -- 92 points allowed in the last three games.The Jets generated little pass rush (one sack), as Kirk Cousins passed for three touchdowns, including two to tight end Brock Bowers (seven catches for 92 yards)."I have to dig deep and figure it out: How do we improve on defense?" said Glenn, whose top pass rusher, rookie David Bailey, was out with a groin injury. "We started hot early in the year and then we kind of slowed down."There were several low points Sunday. The Jets let running back Ashton Jeanty, who called out their defense last week, run free on a 45-yard reception that set up the Raiders' go-ahead field goal in the fourth quarter. By then, it sounded like a Raiders home game. It got so loud with the Jets' on offense that left tackle Olu Fashanu committed a false start.Three weeks ago, linebacker Demario Davis said the Jets' home win over the Cleveland Browns was "historic" -- i.e. a turning point in the season. They haven't won since. On Sunday, Davis' mood had changed."We have to claw our way out of the darkness," he said.At 2-6, the Jets are staring at their 11th straight losing season, their 16th consecutive year out of the playoffs -- the longest active drought in North American sports.A turnaround is close, Glenn and the players keep insisting. Reminded that it's getting late, Geno Smith looked for a clock on the wall of the interview."What time is it?" he deadpanned.
