NEW ORLEANS _ The Jets' defense could only do so much. It forced three turnovers, played strong man-to-man coverage and even survived long enough without injured defensive end Leonard Williams (head injury) and suspended defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson.
But the offense did little to help them and ultimately the Jets lost, 31-19, to the Saints on Sunday afternoon at the Superdome.
The loss eliminated the Jets (5-9) from playoff contention with two games remaining in the season. It marked the seventh consecutive season the Jets will not make the postseason. Todd Bowles, after a 10-win 2015 season, has won a combined 10 games the last two years.
With games against the Chargers and the Patriots to conclude the season, it's difficult to see if he can increase that number.
On Sunday, Bowles started third-year man Bryce Petty at quarterback and while the Jets didn't ask him to do much, it was his inability to make plays that was part of the problem.
Petty started because Josh McCown is out for the season with a broken left hand. Petty completed 19 of 39 passes for 179 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions He was hampered by a pair of drops by leading receiver Robby Anderson, some off-target throws and offensive coordinator John Morton's conservative game plan. The Jets ran the ball 28 times in an attempt to control the clock. Petty also had four passes knocked down by Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan.
When it was time for Petty to make a play, he could only make one _ a wonderful 38-yard throw to running back Elijah McGuire, who beat Saints linebacker Manti Te'o early in the third quarter. That pass play led to a 26-yard field by Chandler Catanzaro that cut the Saints' lead to 17-13 with 8:07 left in the quarter.
The Jets defense gave Petty and the offense some chances. Buster Skrine forced a fumble with 14:48 left in the fourth quarter. The best the Jets' could do with the turnover was punt. Of the three turnovers the defense forced, the Jets scored just three points.
The Saints (10-4) clinched the win when Drew Brees (26-for-36, 285 yards, two TDs, one INT) connected on a 4-yard touchdown pass to Michael Thomas with 7:39 left. The touchdown pushed the Saints to a 24-13 lead and Petty and the Jets' offense couldn't do much afterward.
