Jets 24, Lions 31: drive chart, EPA and box score

Week 3 · Sun, Sep 27 · Ford FieldFinal

Final

	1	2	3	4	T
NYJ	0	7	3	14	24
DET	0	10	7	14	31

Home · 6-2DetroitLions31

At a glanceUpdated Nov 11, 2026, 1:45 AM ET

The Detroit Lions beat the New York Jets 31-24 on Sun, Sep 27 at Ford Field in Detroit, MI (Week 3, 2026 season). Records after the game: Jets 2-7, Lions 6-2. J.Goff (DET) led all players with +11.2 EPA on 36 dropbacks.

Who won Jets vs Lions?

The Detroit Lions won 31-24. By quarter: NYJ 0-7-3-14, DET 0-10-7-14.

Who was the best player in Jets vs Lions?

By expected points added: J.Goff (DET, +11.2 EPA on 36 dropbacks), G.Smith (NYJ, +10.7 EPA on 46 dropbacks) and K.Sadiq (NYJ, +6.5 EPA on 8 targets).

What was the turning point of Jets vs Lions?

The biggest swing in win probability (27 points toward the Jets) came in Q4 at 4:06: (Shotgun) G.Smith pass deep right to G.Wilson to DET 1 for 22 yards (D.Reed).Penalty on DET-D.Reed, Defensive Pass Interference, declined.New York Jets challenged the short of the goal line ruling, and the play was REVERSED.(Shotgun) G.Smith pass deep right to

Cite this page

Pigskin Nightly, “Jets 24, Lions 31: Week 3 recap”, https://pigskinnightly.com/games/2026-09-27-nyj-at-det (updated 2026-11-11).

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The Verdict

Week 3 issue →

Week 3EarnedGame file →

Jets46% success · +0.13 EPA/play

2431

Lions60% success · +0.19 EPA/play

NYJ 25% deserveddeserved 75% DET

Lions earned it: the snaps said Lions by 3.7, a deserved win probability of 75%.

Deserved marginDET by 3.7

Real marginDET by 7

Luck pts NYJ−2.4

Luck pts DET+1.7

The swingQ4 4:11 · NYJ · +20 pts of win probability. (Shotgun) 7-G.Smith pass deep right to 5-G.Wilson to DET 1 for 22 yards (4-D.Reed). Penalty on DET-4-D.Reed, Defensive Pass Interference, declined. New York Jets challenged the short of the goal line ruling, and the…

Flags that moved this game

1Offensive HoldingNYJ → helped DET · Wk 3 Q2 0:41 · (Shotgun) 7-G.Smith pass short left to 0-B.Allen to DET 32 for 11 yards (55-D.Barnes; 21-R.McCreary). PENALTY on…+7.0 WP
2Defensive Pass InterferenceDET → helped NYJ · Wk 3 Q4 12:19 · (Shotgun) 7-G.Smith pass incomplete deep right to 5-G.Wilson. PENALTY on DET-4-D.Reed, Defensive Pass Interference, 16 yards,…+3.8 WP

Fourth downs our model disagreed with

1NYJ · 4th & 1Aaron Glenn chose Punt at own 40, Wk 3 Q1 12:54, tied. Model: Go for it (clear call). Result: punted.−1.41 EP

Deserved win probability from the snaps, fumble bounces evened out. How we judge

From the Lab

This game, re-drawn

All Lab tools →

Game DNA138 plays, one strand2 lead changes · 11 explosive plays · downloadable poster →

Officiating crewBrad Rogers8 accepted flags in this game · 12 a game this season (one of the quietest crews)Market vs SnapsLine: DET by 7 · Snaps: DET by 3.7A push against the line; the snaps say Jets should have

24@31

Week 3Changes the winner

If the Jets had stopped that fourth-and-2

Jets after the play40%what really happened

Q2 1:47 16-J.Goff pass short left to 18-I.TeSlaa to NYJ 4 for 5 yards (8-A.Cisco).

Every game's sliding door →

Home win probability, play by play

The river

100%

Hover, tap or drag along the river to read any play. Arrow keys work too. Click to jump to its drive.

DET ▲NYJ ▼

Q1Q2Q3Q4

The five biggest swings

+27%Q4 4:06 · for NYJ(Shotgun) G.Smith pass deep right to G.Wilson to DET 1 for 22 yards (D.Reed).Penalty on DET-D.Reed, Defensive Pass Interference, declined.New York Jets challenged the short of the goal line ruling, and the play was REVERSED.(Shotgun) G.Smith pass deep right to G.Wilson for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.Penalty on DET-D.Reed, Defensive Pass Interference, declined. TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. G.Smith pass to S.Shepard is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
+14%Q4 4:06 · for DET(Shotgun) J.Goff pass deep middle to I.TeSlaa to NYJ 16 for 49 yards (A.Cisco).
+12%Q4 2:25 · for DET(Shotgun) J.Goff pass short right to J.Gibbs for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. J.Bates extra point is GOOD, Center-H.Hatten, Holder-J.Fox.
+12%Q4 0:51 · for DET(Shotgun) G.Smith sacked at DET 41 for -13 yards (C.Clark). FUMBLES (C.Clark) [C.Clark], RECOVERED by DET-J.Campbell at DET 45. J.Campbell to NYJ 43 for 12 yards (B.Allen).
+11%Q2 5:33 · for NYJ(Shotgun) G.Smith pass deep right to K.Sadiq for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. J.Sanders extra point is GOOD, Center-T.Hennessy, Holder-A.McNamara.

Every drive, on the field

DET attacks →← NYJ attacks

Q1 15:00PUNT3p · 9y · 2:13
Q1 12:47PUNT10p · 35y · 4:35
Q1 8:12PUNT9p · 36y · 5:53
Q1 2:19PUNT5p · 9y · 2:02
Q1 0:17PUNT3p · -5y · 0:26
Q2 14:51FG9p · 49y · 5:16
Q2 9:35TD7p · 74y · 4:02
Q2 5:33TD12p · 53y · 3:57
Q2 1:36HALF7p · 10y · 1:36
Q3 15:00TD7p · 80y · 4:04
Q3 10:56FG8p · 44y · 4:34
Q3 6:22TD11p · 62y · 6:25
Q4 14:57TD9p · 80y · 3:40
Q4 11:17DOWNS5p · 20y · 2:45
Q4 8:32TD8p · 54y · 4:26
Q4 4:06TD4p · 65y · 1:41
Q4 2:25FUM8p · 24y · 1:40
Q4 0:45END2p · -2y · 0:45

Jets8 drives4scoring drives (3 TD)50%drives ending in pointsOWN 27avg starting field position2three-and-outs1turnovers incl. downs

Lions8 drives5scoring drives (4 TD)63%drives ending in pointsOWN 32avg starting field position0three-and-outs1turnovers incl. downs

Scoring summary

Q2
9:35Field goalJ.Bates 30 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-H.Hatten, Holder-J.Fox.0–3
Q2
5:33Touchdown(Shotgun) G.Smith pass deep right to K.Sadiq for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. J.Sanders extra point is GOOD, Center-T.Hennessy, Holder-A.McNamara.7–3
Q2
1:36TouchdownJ.Goff pass short right to A.St. Brown for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. J.Bates extra point is GOOD, Center-H.Hatten, Holder-J.Fox.7–10
Q3
10:56TouchdownJ.Gibbs right end for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN. J.Bates extra point is GOOD, Center-H.Hatten, Holder-J.Fox.7–17
Q3
6:22Field goal J.Sanders 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-T.Hennessy, Holder-A.McNamara.10–17
Q4
14:57TouchdownS.Gill-Howard and L.Borom reported in as eligible. J.Gibbs up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. J.Bates extra point is GOOD, Center-H.Hatten, Holder-J.Fox.10–24
Q4
11:17TouchdownG.Smith pass short middle to J.Ruckert for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN. TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. G.Smith pass to G.Wilson is incomplete. ATTEMPT FAILS.16–24
Q4
4:06Touchdown(Shotgun) G.Smith pass deep right to G.Wilson to DET 1 for 22 yards (D.Reed).Penalty on DET-D.Reed, Defensive Pass Interference, declined.New York Jets challenged the short of the goal line ruling, and the play was REVERSED.(Shotgun) G.Smith pass deep right to G.Wilson for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.Penalty on DET-D.Reed, Defensive Pass Interference, declined. TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. G.Smith pass to S.Shepard is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.24–24
Q4
2:25Touchdown(Shotgun) J.Goff pass short right to J.Gibbs for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. J.Bates extra point is GOOD, Center-H.Hatten, Holder-J.Fox.24–31

Team stats

NYJvsDET

335Total yards381

277Passing yards250

58Rushing yards131

5.5Yards per play6.0

22First downs24

6-12 · 50%Third down5-10 · 50%

1-1Fourth down1-2

2-3Red zone TDs4-5

31/37Comp / att25/32

3.1Yards per carry4.4

1Turnovers0

5 (−44 yds)Sacks allowed2 (−19 yds)

4 for 30Penalties4 for 41

28:30Possession31:30

Expected points added · nflverse model

The game in EPA

EPA per play+0.095+0.191

Dropback EPA+0.234+0.310

Rush EPA-0.280+0.026

Success rate46%60%

Explosive plays85

Plays6362

Who moved the needle

J.GoffDropbacks: 36+11.2

G.SmithDropbacks: 46+10.7

K.SadiqTargets: 8+6.5

G.WilsonTargets: 14+6.3

I.TeSlaaTargets: 3+6.3

J.GibbsTargets: 8+5.8

Cost their side the most

B.HallCarries: 13-4.1

B.AllenTargets: 3-1.9

A.St. BrownTargets: 8-1.4

Box score

New York Jets

Passing	C/ATT	YDS	AVG	TD	INT	SACKS	QBR	RTG
Geno SmithQB	31/37	321	8.7	3	0	5-44	78.7	129.8

Rushing	CAR	YDS	AVG	LONG
Breece HallRB	13	32	2.5	12
Braelon AllenRB	4	14	3.5	7
Geno SmithQB	2	12	6.0	11

Receiving	REC	TGTS	YDS	AVG	TD	LONG
Garrett WilsonWR	10	13	107	10.7	1	32
Kenyon SadiqTE	7	8	105	15.0	1	43
Jeremy RuckertTE	5	5	39	7.8	1	16
Breece HallRB	3	3	23	7.7	0	12
Isaiah WilliamsWR	1	2	21	21.0	0	21
Jelani WoodsTE	1	1	20	20.0	0	20
Sterling ShepardWR	1	1	3	3.0	0	3
Braelon AllenRB	3	3	3	1.0	0	7

Defense	TOT	SOLO	SACKS	TFL	PD	QB HTS
Demario DavisLB	10	7	1	1	0	1
Jamien SherwoodLB	8	4	0	1	0	0
Dane BeltonS	7	4	0	0	1	0
Andre CiscoS	6	5	1	1	0	1
Azareye'h ThomasCB	6	3	0	0	0	0
David BaileyLB	5	4	0	1	0	1
Jowon BriggsDT	5	0	0	0	0	1
Harrison PhillipsDT	4	1	0	0	0	1
Brandon StephensCB	3	3	0	1	0	0
Kingsley EnagbareLB	3	2	0	0	0	0

Kicking	FG	PCT	LONG	XP	PTS
Jason SandersPK	1/1	100.0	42	1/1	4

Detroit Lions

Passing	C/ATT	YDS	AVG	TD	INT	SACKS	QBR	RTG
Jared GoffQB	25/32	269	8.4	2	0	2-19	64.3	122.5

Rushing	CAR	YDS	AVG	TD	LONG
Jahmyr GibbsRB	20	99	5.0	2	17
Sione VakiRB	6	26	4.3	0	7
Jared GoffQB	4	6	1.5	0	6

Receiving	REC	TGTS	YDS	AVG	TD	LONG
Isaac TeSlaaWR	3	3	66	22.0	0	49
Jahmyr GibbsRB	7	8	65	9.3	1	13
Jameson WilliamsWR	4	4	49	12.3	0	21
Sam LaPortaTE	3	4	44	14.7	0	28
Amon-Ra St. BrownWR	4	8	19	4.8	1	16
Sione VakiRB	1	1	11	11.0	0	11
Jackson MeeksWR	1	1	8	8.0	0	8
Brock WrightTE	2	2	7	3.5	0	5

Defense	TOT	SOLO	SACKS	TFL	PD	QB HTS
Christian IzienS	11	9	0	3	1	0
D.J. ReedCB	8	5	0	0	1	0
Derrick BarnesLB	8	5	0	1	0	0
Roger McCrearyCB	7	4	0	0	0	0
Chuck ClarkS	7	3	1	1	0	1
Trevor NowaskeLB	6	6	0	0	0	0
Jack CampbellLB	6	4	0	0	0	0
DJ WonnumLB	2	2	2	2	0	2
Alim McNeillDT	2	2	1	1	0	2
Rock Ya-SinCB	2	2	0	0	0	0

Kicking	FG	PCT	LONG	XP	PTS
Jake BatesPK	1/1	100.0	30	4/4	7

Before kickoff · Regular season through week 2 · rank out of 32

Where it was expected to be decided

1Jets dropback offense vs Lions pass defense
The Jets' dropback offense ranks 10th in EPA per dropback (+0.18, 74 dropbacks) against a Lions pass defense ranked 22nd (+0.20 allowed, 101 dropbacks faced).
10thNYJ offense12 spots apart22ndDET defense

When the Jets have the ballEdge NYJ · +12 ranks

NYJ dropback offenseEPA per dropbackDET pass defense

10th+0.1874 dropbacks

NYJ +12

+0.20 allowed101 dropbacks faced22nd

NYJ run gameEPA per rushDET run defense

25th-0.1957 rushes

+0.12 allowed51 rushes faced30th

Dropbacks include sacks and scrambles; rushes are designed runs. What EPA measures.

When the Lions have the ballEdge NYJ · +10 ranks

DET dropback offenseEPA per dropbackNYJ pass defense

9th+0.2285 dropbacks

-0.11 allowed71 dropbacks faced7th

DET run gameEPA per rushNYJ run defense

15th-0.0950 rushes

NYJ +10

-0.32 allowed28 rushes faced5th

Third downEdge NYJ · +18 ranks

NYJ third-down offensethird-down conversion rateDET third-down defense

22nd36.7%30 third downs

NYJ +8

60.7% allowed28 third downs faced30th

DET third-down offensethird-down conversion rateNYJ third-down defense

20th37.5%24 third downs

NYJ +18

23.8% allowed21 third downs faced2nd

Conversions are third-down snaps that gained a first down or scored.

Red zoneEdge DET · +22 ranks

NYJ red-zone offensered-zone touchdown rateDET red-zone defense

10th67%6 trips

NYJ +20

90% allowed10 trips faced30th

DET red-zone offensered-zone touchdown rateNYJ red-zone defense

1st88%8 trips

DET +22

75% allowed4 trips faced23rd

A trip is a drive with at least one snap inside the opponent's 20; the rate is trips that ended in an offensive touchdown. Small samples swing fast here.

Explosive playsEdge NYJ · +8 ranks

NYJ big-play offenseexplosive-play rateDET defense against big plays

23rd7.6%131 plays

NYJ +8

13.2% allowed152 plays faced31st

DET big-play offenseexplosive-play rateNYJ defense against big plays

10th11.1%135 plays

5.1% allowed99 plays faced3rd

Completions of 20+ yards and runs of 10+, per snap. Definition.

Pressure & sacksEdge NYJ · +8 ranks

NYJ pass protectionsack rateDET pass rush

10th5.4% sacked74 dropbacks

6.9% of dropbacks101 dropbacks faced14th

DET pass protectionsack rateNYJ pass rush

14th5.9% sacked85 dropbacks

NYJ +8

8.5% of dropbacks71 dropbacks faced6th

Sacks per dropback. The public play-by-play has no pressure charting, so this is the sack side of it only.

TurnoversEdge DET · +19 ranks

NYJ ball securityturnovers per gameDET takeaway defense

1st0.0 giveaways a game2 games

1.5 takeaways a game2 games7th

DET ball securityturnovers per gameNYJ takeaway defense

4th0.5 giveaways a game2 games

DET +19

0.5 takeaways a game2 games23rd

Interceptions and lost fumbles on offensive snaps, per game. Turnover rates are among the least stable numbers in football.

Sample: NYJ 2 games, 131 offensive and 99 defensive plays · DET 2 games, 135 offensive and 152 defensive plays. Rank 1 is the best offense or the best defense in each stat. Keys are the largest rank gaps (12+ spots) between an offense and the defense it faces, one per stat. Ranks are not schedule-adjusted.

Starters, confirmed

ConfirmedEvery game →

Confirmed from the official snap counts: at every position group the starters are the snap leaders. Expected lineup = today's depth chart, adjusted for the injury report.

Expected, did not start

Omar Cooper Jr.WR→ Isaiah Williams

Adonai MitchellWR→ Sterling Shepard

Mason TaylorTE→ Kenyon Sadiq

Darrell Jackson Jr.LDT→ Harrison Phillips

Trevin WallaceSLB→ T'Vondre Sweat

Minkah FitzpatrickFS→ Andre Cisco

Blake MillerRT→ Larry Borom

Tyler LacyRDE→ Skyler Gill-Howard

K.J. BrittMLB→ Jack Campbell

Malcolm RodriguezSLB→ DJ Wonnum

Brian BranchSS→ Christian Izien