The Jets, however, were unable to take advantage of the field position. A quick three-and-out put the ball back in QB Tyler Shough’s hands. The defense looked poised to make another stop, but facing another fourth-and-1 in their own territory, Hill picked up a first down on a fake punt.
With just under two minutes remaining in the half, Shough attempted to connect with WR Chris Olave in the end zone. Stiggers was there to break up the pass, and the Saints settled for a FG.
The Jets had an opportunity to tie the game or take the lead heading into halftime, but Cook was sacked by Saints DE Cameron Jordan on two consecutive plays, and the Jets punted. K Charlie Smyth missed a 61-yard FG and the Jets entered the locker room trailing by 9-6.
In the second half, the Jets struggled to sustain drives, while Shough and the Saints found a rhythm. The Jets punted on both third-quarter possessions, while Shough connected with Olave for a 23-yard TD — the first of four consecutive possessions with a score. The Saints added 2 FGs and 1 TD in the final stanza, while Jets rookie QB Brady Cook was strip sacked and threw an INT.
“Extremely disappointed,” Cook said. “We came here prepared, ready to win this game, and we didn’t do it. And naturally, you’re going to feel disappointed from that. But, all we can do now is go back to work.”
The Jets were unable to find the end zone in the loss, and the team did not put points on the board in the second half.
“If you look at the numbers, that’s who they were — a team that really exploded in the second half,” Glenn said. “And they did exactly what we all knew they would do. And we have to do a better job of understanding that and playing to that. … We’ve got more two games left, and I want to continue to play with effort like we did.”
Jetcetera
DL Jay Tufele sustained an ankle injury during the second quarter and did not return. … LB Jamien Sherwood took down QB Tyler Shough for a 10-yard loss on third down, his second sack of the season. … DL Jowon Briggs recorded his fourth sack of the season in the third quarter, while edge Will McDonald IV recorded his eighth of the season. … RB Isaiah Davis led the team with 52 receiving yards. … WR Arian Smith made a critical special teams’ tackle in the third quarter, taking down Dante Pettis after he fielded Austin McNamara‘s punt at the New Orleans’ 7-yard line.