Jets Erase 14-Point Deficit but Fall Short Against Lions

By Brandon Natale Published: September 27, 2026

In a heavyweight game that featured a 14-point 4th-quarter comeback, it wasn’t enough as the New York Jets lost to the Detroit Lions 31-24, with their record now 1-2.

This matchup had a homecoming feel, as Jets head coach Aaron Glenn returns to face the Detroit Lions. Glenn served as the Lions defensive coordinator under head coach Dan Campbell from 2021 to 2025. Former colleagues are looking to come out on top against each other in a matchup that was expected to be a grudge match.

Offensively, the Jets entered the game with injuries, most notably in the WR room. Before the game, it was reported that AD Mitchell would be inactive with a finger injury he suffered during the week when his finger got caught in a teammate’s jersey. With Omar Cooper Jr. and Tim Patrick out, the Jets were thin at skilled positions. Before the game, they called up veteran WR Sterling Shepard. With all the injuries, Frank Reich would have to be more creative on offense against the Lions.

The game got off to a slow start as both the Jets and the Lions moved the chains, but the defenses made stops on third down. The Jets defense isn’t getting INTs, but they’re getting sacks as they get to Goff in the 1st quarter. Demario Davis got his first sack of the season off an all-out blitz.

The first quarter was tight, with both teams preventing each other from scoring. The Lions then broke the game open with a 30-yard field goal to take a 3-0 lead. After the Lions field-goal drive, the Jets would drive downfield, using 3 of their TEs as Ruckert and Woods got involved in moving the Chains. Sadiq made the biggest contribution, showing why he was drafted 16th overall, with a beautiful diving TD catch on a vertical seam route for 24 yards to give the Jets a 7-3 lead. Sadiq got hurt on the drive but showed his toughness.

On the next drive, the Lions scored on an Amon Ra St Brown TD pass from Jared Goff on an end zone corner fade route, taking the lead back 10-7.

For the third straight week, the Jets failed to capitalize before the half ended as penalties ruined the drive. This led to a failed Hail Mary at the end of the half, with the Jets down 10-7 entering halftime.

The Lions started the 3rd quarter with a Jahmyr Gibbs 17-yard rushing TD, taking a 17-7 lead over the Jets. Geno Smith then orchestrated a drive to the end zone, but after taking back-to-back sacks, the Jets settled for a 42-yard field goal, making it 17-10.

On the first play of the 4th quarter, the Lions answered with another Jahmyr Gibbs rushing touchdown to take a 24-10 lead. The Jets are now down by 14 points in the 4th, trying to keep the game alive. Throughout the game, Geno Smith kept them alive by moving the chains. On the next drive, the Jets connected with Isiah Williams on a 3rd-down catch that was almost ruled incomplete. Then a pass interference on former Jets CB D.J. Reed put the Jets 4 yards away from the end zone.

Breece Hall would get hurt on a 3rd-down run to the outside. He would be ruled out with a thigh injury. The drive ended with a 4-yard TD catch by Jets TE Jeremy Ruckert. After the Jets failed to score on the two-point conversion, the Lions led 24-16 with 11:21 left in the 4th quarter. With the Jets needing a stop on defense, they found a way. They stuffed Jahmyr Gibbs on 4th & 1, giving the Jets great field position at the Jets’ 46 with 8:32 left in the 4th.

Now in field goal range, the Jets go for it on 4th & 6, and Geno finds Garrett Wilson one-on-one for a clutch 23-yard TD catch against D.J. Reed. Sterling Shepard then contributes by scoring the two-point conversion as Geno puts the ball in Shepard’s hands, tying the game 24-24 with 4:06 left in the 4th quarter.

The Lions then answered as Goff found Gibbs on a third-down TD catch to take the lead back, 31-24. The Jets had plenty of time to drive downfield after getting the ball back with 2:19 left in the 4th quarter. As the Jets edged closer to the end zone, they had momentum and were going to tie the game. Garrett Wilson took a hit to the back from safety Chuck Clark, knocking him out of the game for the next play. On the very next play, the Lions sent a blitz package that didn’t pick up Chuck Clark. Clark then forced a Geno Smith fumble, preventing the Jets from tying the game and ultimately helping the Lions win 31-24 in a hard-fought battle between Aaron Glenn’s and Dan Campbell’s teams.

The Jets fight and how they tied up the game shouldn’t go unnoticed. Unfortunately, moral victories won’t improve the Jets’ record. The Jets were banged up all over, as offensive guard Dylan Parham left the game with a knee injury. Hopefully, more players will be healthy as they head to Soldier Field to face off against the Chicago Bears.