The Jets were all set to head into the locker room within shouting distance of the Dolphins.
New York struggled at times in the first half Friday afternoon, but had yet to completely fold against a contending Miami team. The Dolphins led the Jets 10-6, but there was little reason for coach Robert Saleh's squad to completely panic yet.
The key word here is yet.
With two seconds left in the second quarter, New York quarterback Tim Boyle threw a Hail Mary pass that was reeled in by Miami safety Jevon Holland—and returned 99 yards for a touchdown.
DOLPHINS RETURN THE HAIL MARY FOR A 99-YARD TOUCHDOWN TO GO INTO HALFTIME 🤯
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) November 24, 2023
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/iifh5jq2RF
The score, which staked the Dolphins to a 17-6 advantage, was widely mocked by fans and writers alike.
If I was on the Jets defense I’d pull a Vontae Davis. All of them. 11 Vontaes.
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) November 24, 2023
Observers couldn't get enough of how quintessentially Jets the entire sequence was.
The Jets defense delivering a pick-6, the kicker missing an extra point, then the defense getting another interception with 2 seconds left in the half, only for the offense to give up a 99-yard pick-6 on a Hail Mary pass is the Most Jets moment since the Butt Fumble.
— Danny Heifetz (@Danny_Heifetz) November 24, 2023
The poeticism of the play in a hard-luck season in East Rutherford, N.J. was lost on no one...
The New York Jets season in a nutshell just happened pic.twitter.com/M2tIra2UtJ
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) November 24, 2023
...including Amazon color commentator Kirk Herbstreit.
Here's Jets QB Tim Boyle throwing a hail mary pick-six.
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 24, 2023
"Can you believe this?! That is insanity! That's as crazy as anything you'll ever see!"- Al Michaels
"If there's ever a play that embodies an entire season, this is it for the New York Jets."- Kirk Herbstreit pic.twitter.com/b06dLZS7W3
New York's benched starter, Zach Wilson, became an object of nostalgia.
Zach Wilson when the Jets ask him to start again after watching Tim Boyle pic.twitter.com/2SPQoOOFHO
— Registered Joe Burrow fan account 🐀 (@hone_n_bone24) November 24, 2023
Jets benching Zach Wilson for Tim Boyle: pic.twitter.com/zXq1Reo19G
— Sleeper (@SleeperHQ) November 24, 2023
Jets fans threatened civil war with each other.
Makes sure to dunk on the 5.5% of #Jets fans that wanted this! lol pic.twitter.com/1bhV7cWnWn
— The Buffalo Jet Fan (@BuffaloJetFan) November 24, 2023
As many pointed out, the commercial that immediately followed the play was icing on the cake.
This commercial aired immediately after the Jets allowed a Hail Mary pick six with the clock expired 💀pic.twitter.com/T2fZlDZXOA
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) November 24, 2023
