NY Jets put up gruesome first-half effort, trail Seahawks 17-6

The Jets’ playoff hopes are officially on life support after a Geno Smith haunting

Thanks primarily to two touchdown passes from former green thrower Geno Smith, the Seattle Seahawks, ensnared in a must-win game that might mean nothing even if they prevail, lead the New York Jets by a 17-6 score in their crucial interconference showdown at Lumen Field.

Greg Zuerlein has accounted for the Jets’ lone points thus far, a pair of matching 44-yard triples. The loser of Sunday’s game will be eliminated from their respective conference’s playoff chase.

Jets (6)

• PASSING: Mike White (12-of-21, 122 yards, 1 INT)
• RUSHING: Ty Johnson (7 carries, 46 yards)
• RECEIVING: Tyler Conklin (3 rec., 39 yards)

Seahawks

• PASSING: Geno Smith (8-of-12, 120 yards, 2 TD)
• RUSHING: Kenneth Walker III (12 carries, 95 yards)
• RECEIVING: DeeJay Dallas (1 rec., 41 yards)

Where There’s a Wilson…

Even though the quarterback with the surnamed Wilson has been thrust back into exile, those with represented jerseys are still getting their money’s worth: with his first half production (2 rec., 13 yards), Garrett Wilson has become the first green New Yorker with a 1,000-yard season since the Eric Decker/Brandon Marshall tandem. It’s impressive enough to see Wilson pull that off in his freshman campaign. But when one considers who’s been throwing him the ball all season, it’s downright extraordinary.

Giveth and Taketh Away

The Jets’ defense has, amusingly from an outside standpoint, simultaneously been both their demise and salvation. The Seahawks scored on their first three possessions but strong red zone defense from Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed was able to hold them to a field goal on the middle trek. Thanks to a strong pass rush … Smith was taken down three times in the second quarter … the Jets have managed to stay in the game and keep this affair winnable. 

White’s Fight

Mike White is far from the Jets’ primary issue, but it’s far from his finest hour in the Pacific Northwest. When it comes to the uncertain future around White … be it his injury history, be it his sporadic bouts with greatness … there could be a lingering sense of now or never when it comes to his second half against a former franchise savior. The Jets’ offensive history is peppered with false prophets. Even if the Jets are awakened from their postseason dreams on Sunday, White can secure his metropolitan future with a strong performance under pressure.

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags