The Jets had the start they wanted, but not the finish they needed. Despite early energy and solid defensive play, New York unravelled late in a 23-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

Baltimore won the toss and deferred, handing Tyrod Taylor the game’s first possession. Isaiah Williams gave New York an early spark, ripping off a 40-yard return that set Taylor and the offense up with prime field position.

But the momentum didn’t last. A near disaster followed Breece Hall’s four-yard carry as Taylor fired a laser downfield toward Adonai Mitchell that Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins nearly picked off. One play later, tight end Mason Taylor couldn’t haul in a quick pass at the line of scrimmage, and the Jets were forced to punt on their opening drive.

The Jets’ defense stuffed Baltimore on a third-and-one to open the game, but after going for it on fourth-and-short, they moved the chains. However, the unit remained poised and didn’t allow them to get another set of downs, containing running back Derrick Henry and the Ravens’ offense.

Excellent protection up front from New York’s offensive line allowed Taylor to drop back and take his time to fire a strike to Mitchell across the field as the offense made their way into Ravens territory. However, the drive stalled out, and Gang Green was forced to punt yet again after failing to convert on third-and-seven.

A beautiful punt from Austin McNamara gave Lamar Jackson and the Ravens a long field as they were forced to open up shop at their own six-yard line.

Another strong defensive stand pushed Baltimore into a fourth down, forcing yet another punt, this one out of the Ravens’ own end zone. But after a couple of encouraging first downs on the ensuing drive, the Jets’ offense stalled once again, which left the game at a 0-0 deadlock into the second quarter.

The Jets got another chance with the score still stuck at 0-0, and this time the offense finally took advantage of it. Tyrod Taylor found John Metchie III over the middle for a 19-yard gain, which sparked a drive highlighted by great play-calling from Tanner Engstrand and continued excellence in the trenches. New York kept stacking first downs until Metchie capped the series himself, breaking free for a 13-yard receiving touchdown to give the Jets a 7-0 lead with 4:04 remaining in the second quarter.

With the ball back in Jackson’s hands, the Ravens found themselves trailing for the first time all afternoon. New York’s defense allowed a pair of big completions to Zay Flowers, but they never folded. The Jets tightened up in the red zone and held Baltimore to a field goal, preserving a 7-3 lead with 1:35 left in the half, and giving the offense one more shot at points before the break with one timeout remaining.

After a big completion to Metchie, the Jets crossed midfield with a little momentum. But a deep shot to Mitchell fell incomplete, and a short pickup to Mason Taylor set up a manageable third down. That’s where things unraveled. Taylor took a sack, killing the drive and wiping out a chance at points. The Jets were forced to punt, sending the game into halftime with the missed opportunity hanging over them as the score remained 7-3 in New York’s favor.

As Baltimore’s offense opened the second half, the Jets’ defense continued to apply pressure on Lamar Jackson; however, as the signal-caller uncorked a deep shot downfield to tight end Mark Andrews while rolling out of the pocket on third-and-15, cornerback Isaiah Oliver was called for pass interference on Andrews, which was a 34-yard penalty and brought Baltimore across midfield. The Ravens used that huge penalty as a spark plug, continuing to stack first downs before Henry pushed his way into the end zone, giving Baltimore their first lead of the day, 10-7, with 8:49 left in the third quarter.

The Jets’ offense couldn’t find any rhythm out of the locker room, and things got even shakier when head coach Aaron Glenn dialed up a gutsy call to go for it on fourth-and-three. Taylor fired an incomplete pass to Metchie, handing Baltimore a short field with New York still clinging to a 10-7 lead and 6:38 left in the third quarter.

After a blatant pass interference call on third down against Tony Adams, the Ravens were gifted prime field position inside the five. New York’s defense held firm enough, though, to force a fourth-and-goal, but it didn’t matter. Henry strolled into the end zone untouched, pushing Baltimore’s lead to 17-7 with 3:33 remaining in the third quarter.

Despite finally finding some rhythm on a drive built on multiple first downs, the Jets once again stalled out in scoring range. They were forced to settle for a 42-yard field goal from Nick Folk, trimming the deficit to one score at 17-10 with 14:41 left in the fourth quarter.

With 9:35 left in the fourth quarter, Baltimore added three more points as Tyler Loop drilled a 35-yard field goal. The Ravens got into scoring range after Brandon Stephens blew a coverage, allowing Jackson to fire a strike downfield and move the offense into the red zone. On third down, AZ Thomas was beaten by DeAndre Hopkins, and if Jackson’s throw had been on target, it likely would’ve been a touchdown. Instead, Baltimore was forced to settle for three.

A huge 40-yard catch-and-run from Breece Hall, coming right after an Andrew Beck first down, put the Jets in striking distance with under eight minutes left. Hall added another 15 yards on a screen, thanks in part to a massive downfield block from Joe Tippmann, and suddenly New York looked poised to make it a one-score game.

Then everything unraveled.

On the very next play, Hall bounced a run to the outside and stretched for the goal line, but the ball was punched out as he reached for extra yards. Baltimore fell on the loose ball with under seven minutes remaining, effectively ending the Jets’ hopes of mounting a late comeback.

New York stayed in it, right up until they didn’t. Another winnable game, and another handful of moments they’ll want back.

Gang Green is back in action at home next Sunday against the 3-7 Atlanta Falcons. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 pm ET.