On a gray, rainy Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium, the Jets failed to reach the end zone and lost to the Broncos, 10-9. The loss dropped the Jets to 2-2 and while the Broncos improved to 2-2 after their second consecutive win.

Despite holding the Broncos to 186 net yards, the Jets went 4-of-17 on third down (23.5%) and 0 of 2 in the red zone and were victimized by 13 penalties that resulted in 90 yards of marked off yardage. For only the fifth time in his career, an Aaron Rodgers-led offense did not score a touchdown.

"Obviously it was sloppy," HC Robert Saleh said. "A lot of pre-snap penalties. They're already a good defense and we made it easier for them, which is a lack of execution. We had our opportunities. First-and-goal from the 1, have to be able to put it in -- didn't. Had the ball twice with a chance to win -- didn't. Weather withstanding, you have to play detailed when it's sloppy outside and we had too many self-inflicted wounds."

It was a defensive back and forth until both teams' offenses came to life near the end of the third quarter. Denver recorded the game's sole TD as Bo Nix tossed his first NFL TD pass -- an 8-yarder to WR Courtland Sutton -- with 3:13 remaining in the third. That gave the Broncos their first lead of the day, 7-6, but Aaron Rodgers grabbed control right back and led the Jets on an 11-play, 53-yard drive that resulted in a 40-yard Greg Zuerlein field goal.

Nix returned the favor, and the Broncos took a 10-9 lead on a Wil Lutz 47-yard field goal with 8:55 remaining.

Taking over with 2:35 on the clock, Rodgers quickly moved the Jets to their own 45 but then had three consecutive misfires before he was sacked by safety P.J. Locke on fourth down. The Jets defense got a stop and Lutz sailed a field goal attempt wide left as the score remained unchanged at 10-9. Rodgers moved the Jets from their 40 to the DEN 32, but Zeurlein's kick went wide right from 50 yards out with 47 seconds remaining.

"The weather sucked, but so did some of my throws," Rodgers said. "We had some chances, but way too many mental mistakes, too many poor throws and we missed some easy stuff. Some protection stuff that should've been easy, some route adjustments that should've been easy. Our focus wasn't as sharp as it's been the first three weeks."

Zuerlein gave the Green & White a 6-0 halftime lead with 23- and 35-yard field goals to bookend the second stanza. In a ragged start, the old AFL rivals played a defensive stalemate for most of the opening half and combined for 10 penalties for with 94 yards (NYJ 7-40, DEN 3-54) heading into intermission.

Nix completed 7 first-half passes and he had -7 yards to show for it against JDC eff Ulbrich's unit, which had 4 tackles for loss. Rodgers and the Jets' third-down offense cooled down, converting just 2 of their first 10 third downs, but the Jets QB set up Zuerlein's scores with a 34-yard pass interference penalty and then a blitz-beater to Allen Lazard late in the second quarter.

All-Pro LB Quincy Williams gave the offense the ball when he forced a fumble by RB Tyler Badie off a screen play. Michael Carter II's recovery gave the home team the ball at the Denver 34. Three plays later, the Jets finally got a first down when Lazard drew an end zone pass interference penalty on CB Riley Moss. Set up with first-and-goal from the 1, the Jets had to settle for a Zuerlein chip shot.

The defense held up early as Denver was turned away with no points despite starting its first two possessions on the Jets' 30 and the Denver 48. On those three-play possessions, the Broncos totaled 5 yards as Reed and LB Jamien Sherwood, who started for the injured C.J. Mosley (toe), each collected a TFL.

The Jets' defense, after allowing 53 rushing yards through the first two quarters, allowed 73 in the second half. The Green & White, on the other hand, could not find success on the ground. Braelon Allen finished with 34 and the team totaled 64.

"They do a good job," Saleh said. "Like I said during the week, it's a top-five defense because those guys up front are damn good. They do a good job of mixing their coverages, they do a good job in the back end gloving you up and it just made it difficult to throw the ball today. Obviously it wasn't food enough today."

The Broncos set the tone on the game's opening possession. ILB Justin Strnad sacked Rodgers on the second play from scrimmage and S Brandon Jones forced a Garrett Wilson fumble that was recovered by Moss at the Jets' 30-yard-line. But Rodgers ended the half on a high note, connecting with Lazard on a pair of passes before getting the Jets in the red zone on a hook-up with Mike Williams.

Jetcetera
After lining up in 14 snaps against the Patriots, Olu Fashanu, the No. 11 overall selection, made his first pro start at RT. … For the second consecutive game, Jamien Sherwood got the start at MLB because C.J. Mosley (toe) was inactive. … The Jets' will travel overseas to London later this week for a meeting with the undefeated Minnesota Vikings (4-0). … Rookie UDFA Eric Watts made his NFL debut. … The Broncos entered Sunday's game leading the league in blitz percentage and they found success. The Jets O-line allowed 3 sacks and an additional 4 QB hits.