Jets avoid winless season
Darnold, defense help club secure 1st victory with upset on the road
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — After 51 weeks and 13 games without a victory, the Jets finally earned the chance to celebrate something.
They knew their 23-20 victory over the embarrassed Rams on Sunday was never pretty, and everybody realized it also came with a major drawback: the Jets are no longer in position for the top pick in the NFL draft.
Don’t try telling that to the joyful Jets who surged onto the SoFi Stadium field after the final whistle with the knowledge their names will not be attached to the ignominy of the third 0-16 season in NFL history.
Sam Darnold passed for 207 yards in a steady performance, while Frank Gore rushed for a score that was his 100th career touchdown in the Jets’ first win since the 2019 season finale. Gore also made a decisive third-down reception with 2:12 left for the Jets (1-13), who ended the longest losing streak in franchise history with a strong start and a gritty finish.
Coach Adam Gase got his first win of the year only afterThe Jets blew most of a 17-point lead in the second half. The Jets defense stopped the Rams on downs near midfield with 3:54 to play before Darnold hit Gore with the short pass over the middle that allowed the Jets to run out the clock.
With two games left, the Jets might have ruined their chances at the No. 1 overall pick because the Jaguars (1-13) are likely towin a tiebreaker based on strength of schedule. But possibly missing the chance to draft Clemson star Trevor Lawrence meant nothing to the players and coaches responsible for this lost season.
“Hey, our job is to go out and try to win everyweek,” Gase said.
Darnold, the Jets’ embattled third-year quarterback, looked right athomein his first pro game in his native Southern California. The former USC Trojans star went 22 of 31 with a touchdown pass and no interceptions.
The Rams (9-5) could’ve clinched a playoff berth with a win.