3 takeaways from Jets vs. Ravens: Second-half breakdown led to loss

BALTIMORE — The Jets came apart in the second half on Sunday and lost to the Ravens, 23-10. They were outscored 20-3 after halftime. Here are three takeaways:

1. The Jets should have punted on fourth down

With the Jets down 10-7 midway through the third quarter, Aaron Glenn wanted to be aggressive and go for it on fourth-and-2 from their own 42. Given the time of the game and where the Jets were on the field, it was a questionable decision.

The Jets have a good punter, Austin McNamara, and the defense was playing well. They should have punted and put the Ravens deep in their own territory.

Tyrod Taylor threw a pass on the right side to John Metchie, but it was well short, and it was a big momentum-shifting play.

Baltimore took over at the Jets’ 42 and went ahead by 10 as Derrick Henry rushed for his second 2-yard touchdown of the game. It was a big momentum shift.

“I was thinking about the defense and how I thought the defense was playing really, really well at that point,” Glenn said. “I thought our offense was doing a solid job. I thought Tyrod was doing a solid job. So I want to be aggressive, I want to be able to go on that, and we didn’t make it.

“That’s just what it was. I trust our guys to make those. And that was a situation when I wanted our guys to not blink and get ready to go, and we didn’t make it.”

2. Breece Hall finally was involved in the passing game

Everyone has been waiting all season for this. Hall was targeted four times — the most since Week 5 — and caught four passes for a season-high 75 yards.

Hall is a dual-threat back, but when Justin Fields was playing quarterback, he wasn’t targeted much, even when a checkdown or a screen was the right play and could have moved the ball down the field.

Taylor was able to utilize Hall that way, and he delivered. He had a 40-yard pass play and a 15-yard catch-and-run on the same drive, although it ended when he fumbled at the 2.

 “It was good,” Hall said about being used more as a receiver. “We were getting into like a flow state of calling plays. Tanner [Engstrand] did really good today and I think we gave ourselves a chance. We just got to be better with ball security and be better at putting ourselves in position to win the game.”

3. Metchie has fit in quickly and made an impact

The Jets needed a receiver to pick up the slack with Garrett Wilson (knee) on injured reserve, and a guy who has been with the team for three games is doing it.

Metchie, acquired when the Jets sent Michael Carter II to the Eagles last month, caught six passes for 65 yards and a touchdown. In his last two games, he has nine grabs for 110 yards and two touchdowns.

Metchie is making his case to stick and be a part of the future.  “I feel comfortable in this offense,” he said.

Taylor took it upon himself to spend extra time with Metchie and AD Mitchell — who was acquired from Indianapolis in the Sauce Gardner trade — to help them learn the offense.

“I think our connection will continue to keep growing,” Taylor said. “He’s a very smart player. A pro’s pro.”

By Al Iannazzone

al.iannazzone@newsday.comAl_Iannazzone

Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.