The Jets are showing everybody they tank like a champion
The Jets are refusing to let Trevor Lawrence slip from their grasp.
The New York Jets appeared set to avoid going 0-16 with a victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, only to prove they are the kings when it comes to tanking for the number one overall pick.
New York led 28-24 after a Ty Johnson touchdown run and appeared to have clinched a victory that would have led to mixed feelings among their fans after a red-zone stand that kept the Raiders from retaking the lead.
However, Las Vegas got the ball back and produced a dramatic late turnaround by going 61 yards in four plays on a drive that started with just 35 seconds remaining.
Rookie Henry Ruggs III was the hero for the Raiders, the receiver sealing a 31-28 triumph as he beat undrafted free agent cornerback Lamar Jackson on a stop-and-go move to get open downfield and allow Carr to hit him on a 46-yard strike.
While Jackson will hardly have had the prospect of playing on the same team as Trevor Lawrence in his mind when he lined up against the former Alabama star, the Jets’ late collapse was the most brilliant example of tanking the league has seen in recent seasons.
Indeed, the Jets went toe-to-toe with an AFC playoff contender, producing one of their best offensive performances of the season and did the hard part of stopping the Raiders when they appeared to be marching, only to decide to put a corner who ran a 4.58 in the 40-yard dash on one of the fastest receivers to enter the league.
Next. Justin Jefferson should be named the Offensive Rookie of the Year. dark
In doing so, the Jets have ensured they remain in the box seat to draft Clemson phenom Lawrence, the heavy favorite to be the first overall pick, come next April. With just four games left against teams who are all in the playoff mix, the smart money is firmly on Lawrence playing for Gang Green in 2021.