Nick Folk delivered a game-winning 56-yard field goal as time expired, leading the New York Jets to a thrilling 27-24 victory against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Despite being outgained 389 yards to 269, the Jets improved their record to 3-9. Tyrod Taylor contributed significantly, passing for 172 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for another score. Adonai Mitchell was a key target, finishing with 102 receiving yards and a touchdown, and Breece Hall added 68 rushing yards and a touchdown to the Jets” efforts.
The Falcons, now 4-8, have struggled recently, losing six of their last seven games. Kirk Cousins threw for 234 yards and a touchdown, while Bijan Robinson rushed for a remarkable 142 yards and also found the end zone.
Atlanta started the second half strong, executing an eight-play, 95-yard drive that culminated in a 5-yard touchdown run by Robinson with 9:36 left in the third quarter. However, the Jets quickly responded; two plays later, Taylor connected with Mitchell for a 52-yard touchdown pass to tie the game.
On Atlanta”s next drive, Zane Gonzalez missed a 50-yard field goal attempt wide right, and the Jets reciprocated with Folk missing a 55-yard attempt after converting on his previous 20 attempts. Cousins then connected with Darnell Mooney for 16 yards, leading to Gonzalez”s successful 52-yard field goal that gave Atlanta a 17-14 lead at the end of the third quarter.
Following a solid kickoff return by Isaiah Williams to the Falcons” 15-yard line, the Jets settled for Folk”s 32-yard field goal to narrow the deficit. Cousins responded with a 31-yard pass to Tyler Allgeier, setting up a 9-yard touchdown pass to David Sills V with 8:46 remaining in the fourth quarter, pushing Atlanta ahead 24-17.
The Jets fought back, with Taylor rushing for a 10-yard touchdown to tie the game at 24-24 with just 1:53 on the clock. New York”s defense held strong, forcing two Atlanta punts in the final moments, allowing Folk to kick the game-winner.
Early in the game, both teams exchanged punts before a mishap on a punt by Atlanta”s Jamal Agnew on the Falcons” 7-yard line led to a recovery by Qwan”tez Stiggers at the 2-yard line. Hall then rushed in for a 7-0 lead with 13:58 left in the first half. The Falcons struggled to find their rhythm, punting on two consecutive possessions before Robinson”s 16-yard rush and Cousins” 10-yard pass to Kyle Pitts advanced them to the Jets” 30-yard line. A defensive pass interference call set up Allgeier”s 1-yard touchdown run, tying the game just before halftime.
