New York Jets: Overcoming third-quarter woes key to Week 9 victory
For the New York Jets in Week 9, the third quarter was the key to their 34-21 victory over the Buffalo Bills.
Prior to the Week 9 game against the Buffalo Bills, all the talk was about the lackluster play of the New York Jets in the fourth quarter of games. NFL Network even put up a graphic showing how the Jets were -24 in the fourth quarter this season. In fact, in the games against the New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons they were outscored 29-6 in the fourth quarter.
It’s very easy to point to fourth quarter scoring and say that’s the impetus for their defeats. However, it’s not about point differential per say, just scoring period when it comes to the Jets coming out of the locker room. Before the game against the Bills, the Jets were held to a touchdown or less in seven of their first eight third quarters, including three scoreless third quarters.
On Thursday against the Bills, they scored two touchdowns on their three third-quarter drives. With those two touchdowns, they took complete control of the game and went into the fourth quarter feeling better. In fact, in the last five weeks, they only had two touchdowns total in the third quarter. The game against the Bills was the first time they scored twice in the third quarter since Week 3.
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Their two touchdowns in the third quarter gave them a 24-7 lead, and the defense could play more relaxed. That’s key for a young defense. There’s no pressure with a three possession lead in the fourth quarter, and they can take more risks.
They were outscored by the Bills in the fourth quarter in this game, but it was the third quarter that put the game out of reach for Buffalo. It’s easy to point to the fourth quarter and say if they played better in the fourth quarter they would’ve won their three games before Thursday night. All we heard about was finishing games and how football is a four-quarter game. Well, that includes the third quarter. If the Jets play better in the third quarter, it will take some pressure off the fourth quarter.
Say what you will about the fourth quarter of the three-game losing streak. It was the third quarter that really did them in.