Jets players rally behind Breece Hall after costly fumble

In a physical game like football, one mistake is often the difference between a win and a loss.

For the New York Jets, the one killer mistake they made on Sunday afternoon against the Dallas Cowboys turned their contest into a blowout.

With just over two minutes to go in the first half, the Jets were down seven points but drove inside the red zone to potentially tie the game before halftime. Running back Breece Hall, who averaged more than eight yards per carry Sunday, broke off another big run to get inside the Cowboys’ 10-yard line.

That’s when everything turned.

Hall was hit from behind high and fumbled the football. Dallas quickly jumped on the loose ball and scored a touchdown seven plays later. In just a matter of moments, a 10-3 game turned into a 17-3 beatdown.

The play was a backbreaker. Not only was it New York’s second turnover inside the goal-to-go area in as many games, but it opened the floodgates to a Cowboys blowout.

Everyone in the organization, including Hall, understands how much the game turned on that play.

Jets address crucial turnover

A 10-3 deficit became a 23-3 blowout in less than two minutes following Hall’s fumble. A player the organization relies on to be a pillar for the team, Hall made the one mistake that couldn’t be made at the worst possible time.

While fans and analysts will target Hall as the person at fault for the fumble, what made the situation even worse was the Jets’ poor response as a team.

Instead of moving past the fumble and continuing to play at a high level, the Jets sunk into despair. That is something head coach Aaron Glenn addressed after the game — by putting the blame on himself.

“It seemed like things went downhill after that (fumble),” Glenn said. “And that’s something we can’t let happen. And I look at myself when it comes to that, because it seemed like the wind was let out of us in that situation, and I’ve got to figure out a way to get our guys going when things like that happen.”

Mistakes are common in the NFL. Fumbles, interceptions, and penalties can shift the flow of a game. What sets teams apart is how they respond to those mistakes. The great teams are able to make mistakes and prevent them from becoming destructive in their quest to win.

The Jets are still learning that lesson. Instead of the defense picking up Hall after he made a mistake, they gave up a seven-play, 91-yard drive that resulted in a touchdown.

That’s something other leaders on the roster are making clear to both the running back and the rest of the team.

“He (Hall) was beating himself up all the way at halftime, but I just told him, it’s over with,” Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson said. “The only thing he can do is continue to move forward, continue toting the ball like he did today, which he did a great job… he’s a great teammate, great person, and a great worker.”

As much as the Jets continued to defend their top runner, though, it doesn’t take away from the fact that the play was a key turning point in the contest.

Hall speaks out on fumble

Fumbling has been an issue for Hall throughout his first four seasons. He recorded a career-high six fumbles in 2024 and had nine throughout his career going into the 2025 season.

Sunday’s blunder against Dallas was the first fumble of the season for Hall.

And while he recorded more than 100 yards rushing for the first time in 2025, the Iowa State product was as frustrated after the contest as he was in the moment he made the mistake.

“Just a costly fumble from me, which is unacceptable. I said it last week, we can’t shoot ourselves in the foot,” Hall said. “Got a stinger on that play, just continue to play. As one of the best players on offense, you can’t put the team in that situation.”

Hall was a bright spot for the Jets on Sunday afternoon. His mistake, though, was as costly as it gets. Under a new coaching staff that has preached accountability, Hall has already made it clear he has no problem if the team must make an example out of him — even if it means some difficult conversations in the future.

“I told my coach that turned it into a 14-point swing real fast,” Hall said. “Put it on me at the end of the day, I ain’t playing the blame game.

“I don’t have time to play the blame game. If I can’t protect the ball, I don’t need to be on the field. It’s my fault.”

At 0-5, the Jets are finding new ways to lose every week. Sometimes they are able to stay in games before a killer penalty or turnover shifts the tide of the contest.

On Sunday, that mistake was Hall’s fumble. While the Jets continue to defend their star runner, the positive reinforcement doesn’t solve New York’s poor record — even if it keeps Hall engaged for another week of action.