SEATTLE — Mike F’n White has morphed into F’n Mike White Sunday and the Jets’ meltdown is now over.
The Jets lost their fifth straight game, an ugly 23-6 loss to the Seahawks at Lumen Field to be officially eliminated from the playoffs for a 12th straight year, the longest active drought in the NFL.
The Jets entered the game needing to win their final two and have the Patriots lose next week to the Bills. But the Jets couldn’t find the end zone and their defense gave up enough big plays early in the game to send the Jets into a meaningless final week of the season.
The loss drops the Jets to 7-9, securing their seventh straight season. It was a stunning fall for a team that was 7-4 at the end of November and felt ready to end the playoff drought. Instead, the Jets suffered one of the worst meltdowns in franchise history. Put it right next to 1994, 1997, 2000, 2008 and 2011 as the Jets team that showed so much promise for the season to end in so much disappointment.
Quarterback Mike White, who many considered a savior of the season, played his worst game of the season. In his first game since breaking his ribs, he was inaccurate and looked slow to read the pitch. White threw two interceptions and never seemed to feel comfortable.
On the other side was former Jets quarterback Geno Smith, who turned into a Pro Bowler this season in Seattle. He wasn’t spectacular in this one, but threw two touchdown passes in the first half and handed the team that drafted him a tough loss.
The game started with the Jets defense allowing a 60-yard run to Kenneth Walker. That set the tone early for the defense, which gave up 193 yards in the first quarter. They would settle but Seattle had already taken a lead.
It was the same old story for the Jets offense, which looked as inept with White at quarterback as it did with Zach Wilson. The Jets broke up some big runs early and managed to move the ball, but couldn’t find the end zone. The Jets have now gone two full games without scoring a touchdown.
The Jets trailed 17-6 at halftime but had a chance to come back into the game as they opened the second half with the ball. White found tight end Tyler Conklin on third-and-10 for a 30-yard gain and the Jets were moving. But the practice stopped when White’s third pass went over Corey Davis’ head. Jets coach Robert Saleh, desperate for points, called on Greg Zuerlein to attempt a 57-yard field goal that sailed left.
The Seahawks got great field position and a fourth-and-a-stealth from Smith kept the drive going. They eventually settled for a 31-yard field goal from Jason Myers with 6:03 left in the third quarter, which gave the Seahawks a 14-point lead that looked more like 40. Myers, another former Jet, added another basket late in the fourth quarter after a white interception to make it 23-6.
The Seahawks didn’t skip time over the Jets. Walker took the first play from scrimmage through the defense for a 60-yard gain. Two plays later, Smith hit tight end Colby Parkinson for a 12-yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead.
On the Jets’ first drive, they drove to the Seahawks’ 33, but White made a terrible call on third down and went into double coverage. Seahawks safety Quandre Diggs intercepted the pass and ended the Jets’ chances of getting points.
The Seahawks got a basket after the interception to take a 10-0 lead.
The Jets responded with a drive of their own. They rushed for 49 yards in nine plays with Zuerlein’s 44-yard field goal cutting Seattle’s lead to 10-3 with 2:19 left in the first quarter.
Seattle continues to hit big plays. The first quarter ended with Smith escaping the pass rush, then returning it to running back DeeJay Dallas for a 41-yard gain. That set up Smith’s second touchdown pass of the day, a 7-yard strike to tight end Tyler Mabry and a 17-3 lead early in the second quarter. It was Mabry’s first career catch.
The Jets moved the ball again on their next series and went all the way to Seattle’s 13-yard line. But a false start on Duane Brown on the first down sent them back 5 yards and they couldn’t recover. On the third and 16, White was sacked by Darrell Taylor, who blew the ball off George Fant, and Quinton Jefferson. They had to settle for another 44-yard field goal from Zuerlein to give the Seahawks a 17-6 lead.
The Jets’ defense finally came to a halt midway through the second quarter, sacking Smith twice. First, Micheal Clemons put him on first down, then John Franklin-Myers sacked him on third down, forcing the first punt of the game.
The Jets attempted to move the ball off their own 1 late in the first half, but the drive and half ended in a strip-sack from White, sending the Jets to the locker room 17-6.
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