One of the key moments of Sunday’s loss to the Bengals for the Jets was the wide-open touchdown allowed to Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase early in the third quarter. On the play, there seemed to be some miscommunication between Sauce Gardner, Quincy Williams and Lamarcus Joyner as to who had the flat and whether Gardner had safety help.
Williams and Gardner both took Bengals running back Joe Mixon in the flat while Joyner took to the middle of the field, almost helping with Jordan Whitehead. No one took Chase. There was a lot of confusion.
After the game, Chase tried to clear up some of the confusion. He told reporters that Gardner told him the Jets were supposed to switch on that play. “The defense just got lost on a switch,” Chase said.
Ja'Marr Chase said that Sauce Gardner told him the #Jets were supposed to switch on the wide-open TD.
Chase: "The defense just got lost on a switch."
(via @JayMorrisonATH)
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) September 25, 2022
Looking back at the play, both Gardner and Williams looked to have their eyes on Mixon. It’s hard to tell if there could have been a banjo call between the two to make it easier for the two to handle the switch.
What do you think was the mistake on the play? Take a look and share your thoughts.
Alexa, play Wide Open Spaces 😏#CINvsNYJ | 📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/nC8lThIDGp
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) September 25, 2022