The New York Jets entered Sunday with a chance to deliver one of their most important wins in recent seasons.

Despite plenty of opportunites to pull off a pivotal upset over the New England Patriots and get back to .500, the Jets couldn’t get out of their own way. Ultimately, Gang Green fell to the Patriots, 26-19, and dropped to 2-4 on the season.

Here’s how it all unfolded in Foxborough.

On the Jets’ opening drive, they marched 58 yards downfield. Geno Smith completed three of his five passes (60%) for 32 yards, while Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis combined for 26 yards on four touches. It was the exact start the Jets needed, though an offensive pass interference call on Tim Patrick brought back an Omar Cooper Jr. touchdown, forcing New York to settle for a field goal.

Unfortunately, the Jets came away with just three points instead of six, taking the lead with 8:17 left in the first quarter. However, Gang Green’s defense did its job on the ensuing possession, forcing a Patriots three-and-out. The Jets’ offense couldn’t capitalize, though, punting after back-to-back sacks killed their chances.

New England broke through on their second offensive drive. After starting in Jets territory, Maye took just two plays to connect with Romeo Doubs for a 42-yard touchdown. Maye had all day, as the Jets sent just three rushers and left the middle of the field wide open.

It gave the Patriots a 7-3 lead with 4:10 left in the opening quarter.

The Jets continued moving the ball effectively, with Braelon Allen leading the way. Despite outgaining the Patriots 90-49 in the first quarter, the Jets still trailed.

Early in the second quarter, the Jets drove into Patriots territory before facing fourth-and-2. After consecutive shotgun runs on third and fourth down, Allen was short of the first-down marker, turning the ball over on downs.

The short-yardage struggles continued on the Jets’ next possession. Despite facing second-and-one, the Jets failed to move the sticks on three straight plays, with Smith coming up short on a fourth-down QB sneak. It was the team’s second straight failed fourth-down attempt.

Against a solid team like the Patriots, the Jets need to score points on drives like that. They couldn’t afford to fall short and give New England extra possessions. This time, the Patriots actually took advantage of the Jets falling short. While New York’s defense didn’t break, the Pats still converted a 32-yard field goal to take a 10-3 lead with 1:46 left in the first half.

Things only got worse from there. After the Jets went three-and-out, the Patriots marched downfield in the final minute of the half, aided by some penalties and missed tackles. Maye ended up finding DeMario Douglas for a nine-yard touchdown, extending New England’s lead to 17-3 with just 14 seconds left in the half.

To start the second half, though, the Jets’ defense made a big stop. On fourth-and-five just across midfield, the Pats went for it, but a Brandon Stephens pass breakup forced a turnover on downs.

The Jets took advantage of the strong defensive stand this time. Smith rolled out and found a wide-open Omar Cooper Jr. downfield for a 48-yard touchdown, the first of the rookie’s NFL career. And just like that, the Jets were back within one score, trailing 17-10 with 10:24 left in the third quarter.

Once again, the defense came through. On the ensuing possession, No. 2 overall rookie David Bailey forced a fumble on Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson, and Jamien Sherwood recovered it, giving the offense another drive after just scoring a TD.

After a killer sack on third down, the Jets were forced to settle for a 36-yard field goal, which still cut New York’s deficit to four, 17-13, with 4:46 remaining in the third quarter.

The Patriots responded with a 12-play touchdown drive capped off by a Hunter Henry seven-yard touchdown, who was wide open. New England missed the extra point, but still stretched their lead to 23-13 with 14:10 left in the fourth quarter, putting the Jets back into a two-score hole.

To follow the touchdown drive, the Jets benefited from a roughing-the-passer penalty on Dre’Mont Jones, moving the ball near midfield. However, Smith threw a risky deep ball while pressured intended for Kenyon Sadiq, but Charles Woods picked it off. It was his first INT of the year, but it came in a crucial situation.

The Jets’ defense then gave the offense another opportunity shortly after. Following a 40-yard completion from Maye to Douglas, Sherwood chased down Douglas and punched the ball loose, with Minkah Fitzpatrick recovering the fumble.

Once again, though, the Jets were forced to settle for three points. Sanders converted a 40-yard FG to trim the Patriots’ lead to 26-16 with 7:20 remaining.

From there, the Jets couldn’t get another chance. The Patriots’ offense did what they needed to, using the passing game to get across midfield before chewing up the clock with the rushing attack. In garbage time, the Jets tacked on another FG, making the final score look a little prettier.

And just like that, the game was over. New York had plenty of opportunites to pull off an upset, but the missed chances on offense and defensive miscommunication down the stretch cost them.

The Jets are now 2-4 on the season and will travel back home to face the 0-5 Miami Dolphins next week.