EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - Three days after their heartbreaking 34-30 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, the New York Jets began the process of cleaning out their lockers and reflecting on what could have been. The emotional defeat, capped by a last-minute touchdown heave over triple coverage, ended a season that began with championship aspirations.
Tight end Michael Covington, who had one of the Jets’ four touchdown receptions, summed up the locker room mood. “It hurts, man. You give everything, and it comes down to one play. That one play’s gonna stay with us for a long time.”
Perhaps the most talked-about moment wasn't the game-winning catch, but the Jets' play-calling in the final minutes after Charvarius Ward‘s interception. New York had the lead and the ball with 1:31 to play and Las Vegas out of timeouts, but elected to pass twice, including an incompletion on third down that stopped the clock. The Raiders preserved precious seconds and used them to deliver the game-winner.
Quarterback Joshua Booth defended the decisions. “We trust our offense. We didn’t execute on that third down, that’s on me,” he said. “I make that throw, and no one’s talking about clock management.”
The Jets also played most of the second half without starting running back Breece Hall, who exited with a dislocated hip late in the second quarter. Hall, still on crutches, told reporters, “I wanted to be out there so bad. Watching from the sidelines, knowing I couldn't help, that was the hardest part.”
With the offseason now underway, attention shifts to roster decisions. Several key contributors are in the final year of their contracts, including Israel Abanikanda, Nate Davis, and Tyron Smith.
“This team, this locker room… it’s special,” said Davis. “You don't always get that in this league. I hope we get another shot at it.”
Coach Robert Saleh echoed the sentiment in his final press conference of the season. “There are no moral victories. But I'm proud of the way these guys fought. We'll be back, and we'll be better.”
