In the New York Jets’ eighth game of the 2026 season, on a gorgeous, warm and sunny day in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the Jets lost to the Las Vegas Raiders, 38 – 33.
The game opened with the Jets on offense. They got off to an explosive start. A long completion to Garrett Wilson and two long runs by Braelon Allen got the Jets a first and goal at the Raiders two yard line. From there the Jets bogged down, as they never gained another yard. The Jets settled for a short field goal and an early 3 –
0 lead.
The lead didn’t last. The Raiders marched right down the field against a Jets defense providing only token resistance. The drive ended when Kirk Cousins found Brock Bowers in the end zone, inexplicably being covered by Travis Brownlee. That matchup went about as you might expect. Touchdown, Raiders. The Raiders had a 7 – 3 lead midway through the first quarter.
The Jets answered by grinding out a long drive before settling for a short field goal. At this point the Jets had scored on their first two drives and still trailed 7 – 6 late in the first quarter.
The first quarter ended with the Raiders punting after a three and out and the score still Raiders 7, Jets 6. The Jets proceeded to take the ball down the field, with multiple connections to Adonai Mitchell. The drive ended when Geno Smith found Isaiah Williams in the end zone for a touchdown and a 13 – 7 Jets lead early in the second quarter.
The Jets lead lasted about 15 seconds. Dylan Laube returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown and just like that the Jets trailed the Raiders, 14 – 13.
The lead changed hands again shortly thereafter. The Jets drove right down the field. Braelon Allen had a big run and Geno Smith eventually found Adonai Mitchell in the end zone for a touchdown and a 20 – 14 Jets lead midway through the second quarter. Thus far neither defense looked like they had any intention of providing a challenge for the opposing offense.
The Jets defense stopped the Raiders on fourth down and the Jets offense took over for what they hoped would be the final drive of the first half. Braelon Allen ran the ball down the Raiders’ throats. Then a miracle happened. With just a few seconds left in the first half the Jets kicked a short field goal. A rare Jets score in the final two minutes of the half closed out the first half scoring. The Jets went into the locker room leading the Raiders 23 – 14, having scored on every drive of the half.
The Jets opened the third quarter on defense. It did not go well. The Raiders went right down the field, mixing runs and passes effectively. Eventually Kirk Cousins found Brock Bowers for his second touchdown of the game as both teams continued to play only token defense. The score was now Jets 23, Raiders 21 early in the third quarter.
It didn’t take long for the Raiders’ defense to give the touchdown back. After Isaiah Williams returned the kickoff out to the 42 yard line, the Jets moved swiftly down the field. A completion to Garrett Wilson, a completion to Kenyon Sadiq, and a long run by Braelon Allen put the Jets in the end zone. It was the sixth consecutive Jets drive ending in a score. The extra point gave the Jets a 30 – 21 lead midway through the third quarter. It was the first time the Jets scored more than 25 points this season.
The Raiders came back. Kirk Cousins marched them down the field and eventually ran it in himself for a touchdown. The shootout was on as the score was now Jets 30, Raiders 28 late in the third quarter.
A Jets holding penalty followed by a sack of Geno Smith resulted in the first Jets drive all game that did not end in a score. The Jets punted and the Raiders got the ball with a chance to take the lead in the closing minutes of the third quarter. As the quarter ended the Raiders were close to midfield, moving the ball towards what threatened to be a go ahead score. Ashton Jeanty broke off a big catch and run. A few plays later the Raiders were in the end zone with their third straight touchdown on three second half possessions. That gave the Raiders a 35 – 30 lead early in the fourth quarter as the Jets defense continued to come up small.
After the two teams traded three and outs the Jets got the ball. The Raiders had them bottled up with a third and forever, but they bailed the Jets out with a defensive holding penalty. With a new lease on life Geno Smith completed a gorgeous bomb to Adonai Mitchell to give the Jets a first down inside the Raiders’ 15 yard line. Unfortunately the Jets drive stalled from there. The Jets had to settle for a short field goal, making the score Raiders 35, Jets 33 with a little more than four minutes left in the game.
On the ensuing possession the Raiders used up all but 27 seconds left in the game on a drive ending in a long field goal, giving them a 38 – 33 lead with 27 seconds left and the Jets out of timeouts.
The Jets got to the Raiders 35 yard line before Geno Smith was intecepted in the end zone on a last gasp heave, effectively ending the game.
Final score: Raiders 38, Jets 33.
The loss brought the Jets’ record to 2-6. Another year of playing out the string for the last two months of the season awaits.
The Jets go on the road next week to take on the Kansas City Chiefs. It will be shocking if the Jets are competitive in that game.
