EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — MetLife Stadium took after its name on Sunday. It was full of life.
The only problem was the New York Jets forgot to invite the Denver Broncos to the party.
In 60 minutes of play, the Jets’ offensive had a game for the ages — putting up 34 points, 512 total net offensive yards, 189 passing yards and a mind-boggling 323 rushing yards.
Moments after falling below .500 for the first time this season, Von Miller simply admitted “everything” went wrong for Denver’s defense.
“It was a rough one,” the team captain said dumbfounded after the team’s 34-16 loss.
The party didn’t break out until the second quarter, but once the Jets’ offense took motion it was flying at cruising speed the rest of the game, never allowing the Broncos a chance of slowing them down.
On New York’s first offensive play of the second quarter, Isaiah Crowell flew 77 yards to the house.
It was the longest run for the Jets since 1996 and the longest run the Broncos’ defense had surrendered since Dec. 2014.
“They didn’t tackle the guy. The free safety didn’t tackle him, either. So he goes for a long touchdown,” Broncos’ head coach Vance Joseph said, explaining what broke down on the defense to allow such a big play. “I’m not surprised he went the distance when no one tackled him. We had two guys unblocked.”
The first play of the second half wasn’t much different as Crowell steamrolled his way 54 yards.
Earlier in the week, Joseph warned of Crowell’s big-play ability, but that advanced knowledge did relatively nothing in stopping him as he had five touches that eclipsed 10 yards, including the 77-yard touchdown, the 54-yard run, a 47-yard run and a 36-yard run.
Entering Sunday, Denver had the eighth-best defense against the run, only giving up 93.8 yards per game.
The Jets entered their fifth game as the eight-worst rushing team, only racking up 88 yards on the ground per game.
The Jets had 122 rushing yards in the first 19 minutes on Sunday, making it the first time since 2016 the Broncos allowed 120-rushing yards in back-to-back games.
But that was just the beginning.
On 38 rushing attempts, the Jets racked up their 323 rushing yards on an impeccable 8.5 yards per carry. Bilal Powell was one yard short of giving New York two 100-yard rushers on the day.
“Oh wow,” Joseph said with surprise when asked what went wrong with Denver’s run defense. “Tackling. Fits. That was the most part.”
The Broncos’ defense allowed Crowell to enter New York’s history books as his 219 rushing yards was a Jets single-game record.
The 323 allowed rushing yards, on the other hand, was the fifth-most Denver’s ever given up in their proud franchise’s history.
But it wasn’t just the ground game that sliced and diced the Broncos’ defense, either.
Three plays after giving up the 77-yard touchdown on the ground, the Jets took flight on the long-gone “No Fly Zone” as rookie Sam Darnold connected with Robby Anderson for a 76-yard touchdown over Bradley Roby.
It was the longest passing touchdown the Jets have had since Vinny Testaverde connected with Leon Johnson back in 1998. Bradley Chubb was only 2-years old.
Before the half, the two connected again, and again it was over Roby.
“He has to obviously get better and we have to help him get better,” Joseph said, admitting Roby had a tough outing. “He’s got to play with confidence. That’s part of being an NFL starter — if they go at you and make a play or two you have to go back out there and battle. If you don’t, it looks like that.”
With Crowell racking up 219 yards on the ground and Anderson hauling in 123 through the air, it was only the second time in Jets history they’ve had a 200-yard rusher and a 100-yard receiver in the same game.
All at the expense of defensive coordinator Joe Woods’ unit.
Yet, despite giving up 512 total yards of offense — the most Denver’s allowed since Peyton Manning ran the legendary bootleg against the Dallas Cowboys in 2013 — no changes will be made to Joseph’s defensive staff.
“Oh no,” Joseph said, followed by an uncomfortable laugh, when asked if he’ll consider making a change to the defensive coaching staff. “I don’t think we’re there. We’re sound schematically, but again, it always starts with coaching. We have to coach better so they can play better.”
This wasn’t just coach speak, either. The idea of shaking up his defensive coaching staff was so far-fetched for Joseph, it had to be asked twice after he responded to the first question with “As far as what?”
The head coach then shifted the attention away from the coaching staff.
“But we pay our players to play also. It’s not just coaching, it’s all of us involved,” Joseph stated. “I’m not going to stand up here after a loss like that and start blaming our coaches or our players. It starts with me and we have to coach and play better. Coaches coach and players play.”
According to the head coach, the same coaches that coached in New Jersey on Sunday will be coaching again next week when the Broncos host the undefeated Los Angeles Rams — a game Joseph says he feels “really good” about.
“We’ve got to coach and play better. And we will do that.”

0 Comments (9 conversations)
michaelkiken
At what point do the losses get so bad that someone is actually fired? It just keeps getting worse. Not only is the defense bad but the offense looks lost.
Zac Stevens
AuthorIf it keeps going this way, I expect there will be changes after the Arizona game.
Aquaman
I want to see some anger, some fire. Not dull acceptance.
Zac Stevens
AuthorVance was not happy at all after the game, if that helps at all haha
tdddavis30
Fire this moron ASAP. Like yesterday. What is wrong with you, Elway??
Spacebar
I agree with Aquaman. There is no fire within Coach Joseph. Maybe he has it in the locker room and just doesn’t show it during the press conference. But this ‘We have to play better’ is sounding a lot like the ‘We had a great practice’ from last year.
Any feedback on that Zac? Does Joseph get fired up behind the scenes?
Zac Stevens
AuthorHe was a bit more fired up after the game last night than usual. He was NOT happy. I would imagine that trickled into the locker room, too.
O'Doyle Rules
What a waste of talent! We can play better than this. It looks like the players have given up. When will the next W take place? Not this weekend. Maybe a short week against the Cards? I wouldn’t bet more than a lunch on that (a McDonalds dollar menu lunch). I do not believe VJ can lead men out of a wet paper bag. He seemingly doesn’t have it. Why would a free agent want to come here other than to be paid? Arghhhh!
Zac Stevens
AuthorThere’s no doubt they’re in a tough place right now!! You make good points!
EvanS
The reason the Broncos are 2-3 is undisciplined football. That is due to poor coaching and poor play calling. Any sense on if coaching changes will be made soon?
Zac Stevens
AuthorIf it continues this way the next two weeks I would imagine significant changes after the Arizona game.
Dags
Significant changes are most definitely needed for this team, but I doubt that we see those changes for at least another week or two. With two of the next three games against top tier teams, making a coaching or QB change now is only setting the replacements up for failure. If the change is made now and the team still gets blown out by the Rams, doubts will undoubtedly set in throughout the locker room. Unfortunately, after taking such a brutal *** whipping by the Jets, there isn’t a game remaining on the schedule that looks like a probable win anymore.
There may not be a “good time” to pull the ripcord on this season. That time will likely come when the Broncos are falling at terminal velocity towards the ground and Elway has no other choice but to do whatever is possible to soften the crushing impact. Take advantage of all those FREE BSN BEERS everyone; we’re in for a bumpy ride this season! ?
MisterSplit
One thing I hate as a Broncos fan is seeing all these comments and post saying VJ needs to go. That he’s the problem. It’s like as fans and writers some of us dont really think or watch football. VJ did not choose Case Keenum. Say what you want the man was given potatoes at the most important position and asked to produce steak. The defense isn’t elite anymore. BUT good enough to get stops. KC game if the offense picks up a couple of 1st downs we dont punt back to kc to give them a chance. John elway needs to take the lump for this dollar tree mentality at quarterback. And realize you need a elite qb not a game manager when you have a average defense. Bill musgrave controls the offense. Same with case Keenum. But where are the screams for their jobs?? Vj isn’t the best but for the situation he’s given it could be better. But with any 1st yr head coach. You give your guy 2-3 yrs to get their players. Qb etc. Vance isn’t given the same power to construct that roster. Case Keenum being here was Gary Kubiak and John elway being cheap. Thinking he was the next Alex Smith. Sad to say it. Seems like he was a one yr wonder.
Zac Stevens
AuthorFair points! In this town, though, it would be hard for a head coach to last three years in order to stamp his identity on a team if those three years aren’t successful. But I completely understand what you’re saying!
MisterSplit
Most Broncos fans are so delusional. They keep quoting stats from 2015. How great our defense was. How our guys are playing uninspired football. That’s its Vance. What about Keenum leading the league in picks?? And the worst qb rating?? That has nothing to do with VJ. I get the mentality the buck stops with VJ. But at sum point we have to stop this fire him bs. And give the man a true qb. Not sum journey man. Staring into the stands taking sacks every play. Everything isn’t on case either. It’s a whole team effort. The team in general can play better no doubt. Hence the Kansas game. Where we was suppose to be blown out. But all this fire Vance right now is bs. Pat’s start 1-2. No one says fire bill. Ok drastic comparison lol but most coaches are given 2-3 yrs. Implement they system find their players etc. Seems like they gave Vance the job.with the 2nd yr getting coaches he wanted but still constructed the roster with the qb elway and Kubiak wanted.
Zac Stevens
AuthorI completely agree that it’s not all Vance’s fault. It’s not all one person or players fault.