New York Jets-San Francisco 49ers halftime report: Missed opportunities

Adam Gase and the New York Jets failed to capitalize on opportunities and trail the San Francisco 49ers 21-3 at halftime.

• New York Jets 3 (0-1)
• San Francisco 49ers 21 (1-0)
• NFL, Week 2, Halftime
• MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ—Amazingly, the New York Jets offensive line has played well. They’ve won on the ground on first down and have pushed around the San Francisco 49ers a bit upfront.

Unfortunately, the Jets could not capitalize. Adam Gase’s questionable offensive play-calling has taken a promising performance and criminally turned it into just three first-half points.

Worst of all is the Jets defense. It started on the first play of the game when Niners’ running back Raheem Mostert took a pitch to the house for 80 yards.

How about an 80-yard @RMos_8Ball touchdown to wake you up ‼️

📺 #SFvsNYJ on FOX pic.twitter.com/UNdEc8mEjM

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) September 20, 2020

Kyle Shanahan did what he’s supposed to do against slow-edge teams: attack outside. Doing it early and often, San Fran put up 93 first-half rushing hards on 14 attempts. Gregg Williams’s unit recovered against the run but failed miserably through the air.

Jimmy Garoppolo enters halftime with 131 yards and two touchdowns on 14 of 16 passing. Both scores have gone to tight end Jordan Reed, who’s starting in place of the injured George Kittle.

The first one came courtesy of a rub concept the Jets couldn’t figure out:

First #49ers touchdown for @JR86! 🙌

📺 #SFvsNYJ on FOX pic.twitter.com/oNdnOGhtmy

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) September 20, 2020

The second came with just 11 seconds to go in the half and Marcus Maye on the coverage:

That @JimmyG_10 to @JR86 connection 🎯

📺 #SFvsNYJ on FOX pic.twitter.com/Sc9xx5gvPw

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) September 20, 2020

A big sequence for the Jets offense happened prior to the third Niners’ score. Facing a third-and-short, Gase dialed-up two-straight ground plays and was stuffed each time.

Great run on second down. If Gore doesn't trip, it's bigger. The OL is doing well when the D look is balanced, but Adam Gase is acting as if this is the 2009 Jets' OL. It cannot win every time and even when the D look is run first. ***Watch Van Roten on fourth down. #TakeFlight pic.twitter.com/c3gRFM9TXb

— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) September 20, 2020

Sam Darnold has played solidly. He just hasn’t had the opportunities to really do damage. The USC product hits the half with just 65 yards on 9 of 11 passing.

Nick Bosa exited the game in the first quarter due to an apparent knee injury and was carted off. He has not returned.

The Jets offense will be the unit to turn things around (if it happens at all). They’ll need to capitalize on situations that give Darnold downfield shots.