New York Jets execute disgusting, overt tank in last-second NFL loss

The laughing stock of the NFL has been caught red handed in an obscene tank job which has players turning on their own coaches.

Tank job.

The New York Jets’ chase for the prized No. 1 draft pick remains alive and well after one of the most overt tank jobs in recent memory.

After coming within seconds of avoiding ignominy, the Jets returned to form, giving up a 46-yard touchdown pass from Derek Carr to Henry Ruggs with five seconds left to lose to the Raiders 31-28 on Monday morning at MetLife Stadium.

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With each replay shown of the Jets’ epic meltdown it became clearer and clearer that the team has simply given up on winning any football games this season — making no attempt to disguise their chase of the No. 1 draft pick, expected to be star Clemson Quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

THE JETS DO WHAT THEY DO BEST
pic.twitter.com/N6OmlA5jOl

— Barstool Sportsbook (@BSSportsbook) December 6, 2020

It emerged after the game the Jets had set themselves up for failure with a defensive coverage formation never used in their situation in the past 15 years.

ESPN Stats posted on Twitter it was the first time a team has used six or more pass rushers on the quarterback out of 252 times when teams have been defending a slight lead in the dying seconds of a game.

The Jets made an unprecedented play call to end their game vs the Raiders

There were 252 pass plays meeting this criteria the last 15 seasons:

•Final 15 seconds
•Down 4-8 points
•40+ yards to the end zone

They were the 1st defense to send 6+ pass rushers in ^ situation pic.twitter.com/mrk61E46ET

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 6, 2020

The tank was made even more obvious by the decision from the Jets coaching staff to send undrafted cornerback Lamar Jackson into the game to defend Henry Ruggs, one of the quickest men in football, for the final play of the game.

The absurdly obvious attempt to lose the game left Jets players fuming at their own coaching staff.

Safety Marcus Maye gave Jets defensive co-ordinator Gregg Williams a public bake in his press conference after the game.

“We have to execute, but you have to help us out at the same time,” he said.

“It’s an extremely tough that situation. It has to be a better call.”

“We have to execute, but you have to help us out at the same time” - #Jets safety Marcus Maye

Holy cow. He is going in on defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.

— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) December 6, 2020

The Jets showed signs of life with two back-to-back touchdown drives in the fourth quarter.

But, with victory in their grasp, the tank job went into full effect.

The Jets had taken a 28-24 lead with 5:34 left and then came up with a defensive stand with less than two minutes to go, but still managed to lose, taking their season record to 0-12.

They ran the ball three times, with the Raiders calling two timeouts, then punted and gave the Raiders the ball back with 35 seconds left at their own 39-yard line.

It took the Raiders just four plays to find the end zone, with Carr completing the miraculous comeback to keep the Jets in the driver’s seat for the No. 1 pick and a shot at Lawrence.

Henry Ruggs beats Lamar Jackson to score the last-second touchdown.

After a Ty Johnson touchdown run had given the Jets a 28-24 lead, the Jets stopped the Raiders on fourth down at the 9-yard line with 1:37 to go, setting off a small celebration on their sideline, but it proved to be premature.

Sam Darnold started well and threw his first two touchdown passes since Week 3, but turned the ball over on three straight possessions in the second quarter — two fumbles and an interception — to allow the Raiders to take the lead into halftime.

Jets fans can only hope Lawrence is worth another year of shame.

Originally published as New York Jets execute disgusting, overt tank in last-second NFL loss