The Jets’ NFL-long playoff drought reached its 12th season on Sunday
The one positive the New York Jets can glean from Sunday’s visit to the Pacific Northwest is that their 2023 can only go up from here.
New York’s postseason hopes were officially put to rest on Sunday in Seattle, which saw the hosting Seahawks earn an XX-XX victory primarily thanks to two passing scores from ex-Jet Geno Smith and XXX yards on the ground from Kenneth Walker III.
The Jets (7-9) were outright eliminated thanks to the loss, dooming them to another winter away from the playoff festivities for the 12th consecutive season.
Seattle (8-8) scored on each of its first three possessions, opening things up with a 60-yard run from Walker on the debut play from scrimmage. Two snaps later, Colby Parkinson gave the Seahawks an eternal lead on a 12-yard grab from Smith.
Kenneth Walker III is SPECIAL🔥
(🎥 @NFL) pic.twitter.com/bKk4OQjcKf
— PFF College (@PFF_College) January 1, 2023
Colby Parkinson goes up for it #Seahawks #FPC #NFL #NFLTwitter
— Full Press NFL (@FullPressNFL) January 1, 2023
The Jets’ first offensive drive was interrupted by a Quandre Diggs interception. which yielded a Jason Myers field goal. New York matched the triple with one of the 44-yard variety from Greg Zuerlein, but Smith re-established a two-possession lead when he found Tyler Mabry for not only his first career reception but his first professional touchdown as well.
Mike White throws a pick to Quandre Diggs
Right to double coverage pic.twitter.com/J16NoEp59x
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 1, 2023
Tyler Mabry's first catch of his career results in a touchdown. 🥹
📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/BMm00fU6ns
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) January 1, 2023
Another Zuerlein triple made it 17-6 by the end of the first half. They managed to keep Seattle from further damage with three sacks of Smith.
The closing speed from @J_FranklinMyers 👀#NYJvsSEA on FOX pic.twitter.com/hlUkAocH6l
— New York Jets (@nyjets) January 1, 2023
Alas for Gang Green, that hardly created enough momentum to sustain them over the latter stages. They only allowed two more kicks from Myers, another former Jet, but they failed to move the ball anywhere near the end zone. Michael Jackson’s interception of Mike White in the fourth quarter more or less sealed the Jets’ seasonal fate, allowing the Seahawks to reassume a three-possession lead.
Don't stop until @Teamjackson28 gets enough! 🕺🏻
📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/KBqhFYZmB6
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) January 1, 2023
The Jets will close out the 2022-23 campaign next weekend when they face the Miami Dolphins in one last divisional duel. A day and time have yet to be determined.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
Very disappointing, but I’ve been watching these guys for 54 years, so it’s not a big surprise. I do think the season would have been better with Mike White, even though he sucked today.