BY NICK ST. DENIS
It was the ultimate Jeckyl-Hyde afternoon for the New York Jets.
Entering Lambeau Field as rather heavy underdogs, the Jets came out of the gate swinging Sunday, jumping out to a 21-3 lead over the Green Bay Packers thanks to stout defense, three scoring drives from quarterback Geno Smith and capitalization of an opening-drive Packers miscue.
However, a late-first-half interception by Smith started the unravel, as Gang Green fell apart down the stretch at the hands of Aaron Rodgers in a 31-24 defeat.
The Packers rallied to a one-touchdown lead in the fourth quarter, though the Jets answered. Sort of.
Late in the final stanza, Smith hit receiver Jeremy Kerley on a 36-yard would-be touchdown strike to tie the game, though the play was voided due to a supposed Jets timeout just before the snap.
Jets coach Rex Ryan--the only person on the sidelines eligible to make such a call--however, apparently didn't call the timeout. Instead, Jets offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg was the culprit.
Regardless, the refs went with it, and the score was negated. A few plays later, the Jets failed to convert on fourth down, and that was that.
After a hot start, Smith finished the game 16-of-32 for 176 yards through the air. He connected with Eric Decker on a 29-yard strike in the first quarter that actually counted, while running in for a score of his own.
Decker, missed much of the second half to injury, and his lack of presence was certainly evident.
