For some time, it looked like the New York Jets were actually going to give the Kansas City Chiefs a run for their money on Sunday.

Then the second half came, and things changed quickly, ultimately leading to a 35-12 Jets loss and a 2-7 record.

The Jets did much the same on their opening drive.

They marched downfield, gaining 69 yards while chewing up over eight minutes off the clock before stalling in the red zone and settling for a 23-yard field goal to take a 3-0 lead. Entering today’s game, the Jets ranked dead last in red-zone touchdown percentage (42.3%), while the Chiefs ranked third-best in red-zone defense.

Gang Green’s defense bought the offense an additional possession, though, after former Jet Justin Fields was brought in on a Chiefs QB sneak for third-and-short. Aaron Glenn challenged the play for a fumble recovered by the Jets, and he won it, as the offense took over at Kansas City’s 34-yard line.

Once again, though, the offense couldn’t finish. A slightly overthrown deep pass to Adonai Mitchell, which would have been a touchdown, led to another Jets field goal when Sanders converted from 48 yards, giving them a 6-0 lead with 4:35 left in the opening frame.

All it took was one sustained Chiefs possession to take the lead, though. Patrick Mahomes and company drove 82 yards in 10 plays before a Kenneth Walker receiving TD gave the Chiefs a 7-6 lead on the first play of the second quarter.

The Jets regained their advantage on the ensuing possession, though, knocking through another field goal, this time from 49 yards, to make it 9-7 with 8:12 left in the second quarter.

It didn’t last for long, though. A Braelon Allen fumble gave Kansas City the ball back, and the Chiefs capitalized, as Walker found the end zone for his second TD of the first half, taking a 14-9 lead over the Jets. This time, it was a 20+ yard screen pass, and New York’s defenders couldn’t bring him down.

The field-goal fest continued as Sanders tacked on another FG. It was from 54 yards, tying his longest make this season and cutting the Chiefs’ lead to just two points, 14-12.

With over two minutes left, it was fair to expect Mahomes and the Chiefs to do their thing, especially given the Jets’ late-half struggles. That wasn’t the case, though. David Bailey delivered a monster possession, forcing two fumbles, and New York fell on the second one on third down.

Bailey became the first rookie in the past 10 seasons to log multiple sacks and forced fumbles in the same game.

Mahomes also got injured on the play, which left him walking off the field in visible pain.

In typical fashion, though, the Jets’ offense couldn’t convert a touchdown on the short field. This time, they didn’t even come away with a field goal as Sanders missed a 53-yard attempt to the left.

So New York’s defense forced two turnovers in the first half, and it resulted in a grand total of three points. That just can’t happen, especially when playing a team like Kansas City.

The Chiefs had a chance to add to their lead before halftime, attempting a 56-yard field goal, but it missed wide left. Then, an offsides penalty on Malik McClain gave him another try from 51, but he still missed, keeping Kansas City’s lead at 14-12 entering the break.

However, the Chiefs came out of halftime firing. On their opening drive of the second half, they found the end zone with a quick flip to Travis Kelce, ruled a rush from one yard out, to cap off the 10-play, 60-yard drive and extend Kansas City’s lead to 21-12.

Following a Jets three-and-out, Walker found the end zone for his third touchdown of the game, giving the Chiefs a 28-11 advantage with just 11 seconds left in the third quarter. It pretty much ended New York’s hopes of pulling off an upset.

In garbage time, Chiefs rookie running back Emmett Johnson also found the end zone to officially put the icing on the cake, giving them a 35-12 lead with 3:35 left in the game.

In the end, the Jets had their chances. They moved the ball well in the first half, and forced turnovers gave them chances to take control. However, when you consistently struggle to finish in the red zone, especially against Mahomes and the Chiefs, you’re eventually going to pay for it.

That’s exactly what happened. The Jets came out of the locker room completely flat, while Kansas City wasted no time taking advantage. What was a two-point game entering halftime quickly turned into a lopsided score.

Now, the Jets are 2-7, and it won’t get much easier as they face Josh Allen and the 6-1 Buffalo Bills next Sunday.