Nov 8, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; New York Jets safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (29) makes a tackle on Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III (9) during the third quarter at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
There is a universal tonic for any ailing team in the NFL, regardless of standing or form, and that is to play the New York Jets.
The Kansas City Chiefs snapped a two-game losing streak by pounding Gang Green 35-12 on Sunday afternoon at Arrowhead Stadium — the latest indignity for a Jets team that remains football’s laughing stock.
Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker went off for 143 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns, two of them receiving, while quarterback Patrick Mahomes shook off what appeared to be an elbow injury after being sacked by David Bailey to pass for 242 yards.
Kansas City broke the game open in the third quarter by holding Geno Smith and the Jets’ offense to minus-13 total yards, which helped turn a 14-12 nailbiter at halftime into a 28-12 rout.
“We didn’t play up to par,” Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said when asked about his team’s disastrous second half. “I know that offensively we didn’t have as many possessions as we needed to against a team like this. Defensively, we did not hold up against the run… Walker started going, and that’s what we couldn’t let happen. And that happened. It’s disappointing.”
Smith was sacked five times in total and held to just 165 yards passing on a day he did not have star wide receiver Garrett Wilson, who was out with a concussion.
The ground game did receive a boost with Breece Hall’s return after a five-week quadriceps absence. He and Braelon Allen combined for 94 yards, but in no way was it enough for New York to find the end zone.
Jason Sanders made four field goals in the first half, then missed a 53-yard attempt late in the second quarter in what was the Jets’ last legitimate shot at scoring. Out of their six second-half possessions, they punted four times and turned it over on downs twice while gaining just 46 total yards.
“That’s what I have to think long and hard about,” Glenn said of why his team was so flat in the second half. “Our guys did a hell of a job in the first half, and especially against a team like this with the talent they have… we can’t do that. That’s not something that helps us.”
The Jets have now lost four straight games and, at 2-7, have already seen their season go up in smoke and further heat up Glenn’s already scorching-hot seat.
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