Geno Smiths critical mistakes ended up costing Jets after impressive start to MetLife return

For much of Sunday afternoon, it seemed like Geno Smith might have an unexpectedly solid return to MetLife Stadium as the Jets quarterback. But then the Jets turned back into the Jets — and Smith turned back into Smith.  Text with Brian Costello all season as he brings Sports+ subscribers the latest Jets intel from on the field and off.The combination turned what had looked like an impressive second straight win into a demoralizing 20-17 loss in overtime to the Packers. And Smith contributed to the defeat. While he finished the game 27-for-41, 247 yards, a touchdown and no turnovers, Smith made mistakes that the Jets were unable to overcome. Following a disjointed end to the fourth quarter, the Jets opened overtime with the ball and a pair of disastrous sacks that pushed them from their own 30 back to the 15. They never recovered, punted after a three-and-out and saw Green Bay kick the game-winning field goal on the ensuing drive. Of that decisive drive in OT, head coach Aaron Glenn said, “Listen, I trust Geno.

I think Geno was doing a solid job.Probably not his best.” After an efficient performance in the win in Tennessee, Smith certainly didn’t have a lot of help from a running game that was almost completely shut down and a team that committed too many penalties on both sides of the ball. Still, as Smith noted, they were up by 10 points with 11:04 to go in regulation. “We had the lead in the fourth quarter,’’ Smith said.

“We’ve just got to close the game better.We had opportunities to close out the game and didn’t capitalize on those.” Asked about the positives he and the Jets could take away from the game, Smith said, “I don’t really believe in moral victories.

We didn’t win the game, and that’s all that matters to me.” The Jets appeared poised to deliver a different outcome — and Smith was playing a part in it. A fanbase already inspired by a Week 1 road win over the Titans — who nearly toppled the Eagles o...