Turnovers the Story: The Jets had eight turnovers in all. They came early and they came late on a disappointing day at Arrowhead Stadium. The Green & White set themselves up to climb a monstrous hill in foreign territory Sunday and they never gained their footing. They turned the ball over three times in the opening half and the Chiefs converted the trio of miscues into 17 points. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick was intercepted six times and both RB Bilal Powell and KR Jalin Marshall lost fumbles in the second stanza. Then when it looked like they had the chance to get right back into the ball game, Fitzpatrick was intercepted twice in the second half to nullify a pair of scoring opportunities inside the KC 10.
The Start: It initially appeared the Jets had escaped early danger. Starting a first quarter possession inches from the end zone, they had moved the ball to the 22. But on third-and-nine, Fitzpatrick forced a ball that was intended for rookie WR Jalin Marshall. But Chiefs CB Marcus Peters came up with his third interception in two weeks, high-pointing the rock inside Green & White territory. Four plays and 35 yards later, Smith hit TE Travis Kelce on a crossing route for a 12-yard TD.
Two Fumbles: After Powell's fumble, the Jets defense gave up yards and yet stiffened in the red zone. Following a short Cairo Santos field goal, the offense would have to wait for their chance to answer. Jalin Marshall had the ball jarred loose on the ensuing kickoff and TE Demetrius Harris picked up the change out of midair and had a clear 27-yard path into the end zone.
Momentum Swings: With the Chiefs looking to take a 21-point lead in the third, the Jets caught a break. Instead of a 6-yard Spencer Ware reception, replay officials ruled Ware had fumbled the ball over the pylon before crossing into the end zone. Taking over at their 20, the Jets moved all the way inside the Chiefs 10. And then on second-and-goal, Fitzpatrick threw into traffic and the result was disastrous. Veteran LB Derrick Johnson deflected it into the air and S Eric Berry intercepted for the Chiefs in the end zone.
The Jets Traveled to Kansas City for Week Three
The Dagger: Still fighting, S Calvin Pryor stopped Ware for no gain on a fourth-and-one. And once again, Fitzpatrick had the Jets back inside the 10. Under heavy duress, he was picked off by Peters a second time. Later on a 4th-and-10, S Daniel Sorensen intercepted Fitz in plus-territory. Then Fitz's fifth pick was returned 45 yards by LB Derrick Johnson for a score.
Notes: With WRs Brandon Marshall (knee/foot) and Eric Decker (shoulder) battling injuries, Powell (6-41) and Quincy Enunwa (4-37) were the team's leading receivers in terms of catches… Enunwa had a 54-yard kickoff return in the fourth quarter… A scheme starter last week, Darron Lee started on defense in the base. Veteran ILB Erin Henderson (foot) was inactive for the visitors... Operating frequently in the 4-3, veteran David Harris was flanked by two rookies in Lee and Jordan Jenkins at OLB… CB Darrelle Revis injured his eye late in the first half and was replaced on the outside by Juston Burris. The NC State product had a fine PD as Smith tested him on a long ball almost immediately, Revis was back on the field to start the third… While Ben Ijalana got the start at RT, the Jets continued to rotate series between him and Brent Qvale… The Jets out-gained the Chiefs in terms of total yards, 305 to 293… Kelce finished with 89 yards receiving as the Chiefs found a lot of success on crossing routes... RB Matt Forte ran well, finishing with 65 yards on 15 carries.
