Punt return TD proved to be a backbreaker
In a matter of seconds, all playoff aspirations seemed to dissolve as the Jets watched Panthers punt returner Kaelin Clay race down the sideline for a 60-yard touchdown.
It was the nail in the coffin — for the game, a 35-27 loss at MetLife Stadium, and perhaps the season.
The Jets trailed 26-20 with just under 10 minutes remaining. They were well within striking distance, and the defense had held up well against dynamic Panthers quarterback Cam Newton.
That was when Clay — a wide receiver out of Utah — made his mark. The 25-yearold fielded a punt at the Panthers’ 40, spun around Jets long snapper Thomas Hennessy and broke to the outside.
“I wish I could have done more to make the tackle in that spot,” Hennessy said.
With linebacker Josh Martin in pursuit, Clay turned on the afterburners to reach the end zone for the second time in his career, giving Carolina a 32-20 advantage.
“It’s more exciting than scoring an offensive touch- down,” said Clay. “Special teams is a unit that goes unnoticed, so for me to score and celebrate with the other 10 guys on that unit is special.”
Though Clay had only returned six punts this season — his previous longest was 11 yards — the Jets knew he was a threat to do what he did.
“We talked about him during the week, having really good short-field speed,” said Hennessy, a 23-year-old rookie. “Every returner we play is an incredible athlete. They’re some of the best athletes in the league, and he really made a heck of a play.”
Martin — the team leader in special teams tackles last season (14) — said it was a “combination” of blown assignments and Clay just doing something impressive.
“Whenever that play happens, clearly we weren’t in the right spot,” he said. “It was a huge [play]. Whenever any team can score on special teams, that’s usually a major influence on any sort of momentum in the game. Obviously you look at the score, you take away that touchdown, it’s a different game.” asquadron@nypost.com