Despite what the scoreboard showed, the New York Jets didn’t go quietly in their 23-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. They swung early, stayed strong through a promising first half, and then watched a wave of self-inflicted mistakes wash all of their positive moments away in the second half.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Jets starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor broke down why the offense was able to succeed in the first half of Sunday’s clash.

“It was a balanced attack,” said Taylor. “We were running the ball well, also, using our play-action, quick game, just efficiently executing early on.”

Taylor finished the game, completing 17 of his 28 passing attempts (61%) for 222 yards, a touchdown, and an interception while picking up 19 yards on the ground throughout five carries and taking three sacks.

The Jets headed into halftime up 7-3, thanks to a John Metchie II receiving touchdown, courtesy of Taylor, and a defense that kept Lamar Jackson from finding any real rhythm. But even with the lead, it didn’t feel like the Jets had done nearly enough. The offense kept leaving chances on the field, and the defense kept bailing them out. If anything, New York should’ve walked into the locker room with far more breathing room.

A strong red-zone stand late in the half allowed the Jets to remain in command, forcing a Ravens field goal and giving the Jets one more shot with 1:35 left and a timeout to work with. For a moment, it looked promising. A clean strike to Metchie pushed the Jets across midfield, and you could feel a little momentum building.

Then it got thrown away. A deep shot to Adonai Mitchell missed, a short gain to Mason Taylor set up third down, and the whole drive came crashing down on the next play. Taylor took a sack that eliminated the chance to tack on extra points.

The Jets went into the break still in front, but it was with a lead that didn’t feel safe. One of those halves where you walk off the field knowing you should’ve had more.

Ultimately, the Jets made too many costly errors down the stretch to beat a polished Ravens squad.