The Jets started the night by honoring their punter, introducing him to the large crowd before kickoff.
Then, their celebrated punting unit blew up.
Thomas Morstead’s first punt was returned 87 yards by rookie Derius Davis for a touchdown, setting the tone in an ugly 27-6 loss to the Chargers at MetLife Stadium.
Morstead had been having an outstanding season as one of the key special teams contributors for the Jets.
His ability to pin teams deep in their own end had played a big role in the three-game winning streak the Jets brought into Monday.
The 37-year-old was the reigning AFC Special Teams Player of the Week after becoming one of two punters in the past six seasons and one of 15 since 2008 to drop three punts inside the 5-yard line — which he did last Sunday against the Giants.
Punts that landed inside the 10 had set up safeties against the Chiefs and the Broncos.
But his first punt Monday wasn’t one of his best.
While it did go 59 yards, it lacked its usual hang time, and Davis made the Jets pay, registering the Chargers’ longest punt return for a score since 1995.
He found a seam up the middle after catching the ball at his own 13, and easily beat the flat-footed Morstead with a cut at the Chargers’ 37-yard-line.
It was off to the races from there.
“I’m sure I looked pretty foolish with my attempt to go tackle him,” Morstead said. “I kind of broke down and didn’t really do anything. It was an unfortunate way to start the game, for sure.”
Overall, the punter had a strong and typically busy game.
He had seven punts for an average of 50.3 yards with two inside the 20. But that first one was regrettable.
“We’ve got to do better on spreading out, covering better and making sure we get the guy down,” special teams contributor Brandin Echols said. “It was a game-changer, for sure.”
While the loss put a damper on the evening, Morstead was touched by the Jets introducing him to the crowd as part of pregame festivities.
“Look, that was a cool thing that coach [Robert Saleh] did,” he said. “I’ve done it a few times before, where I’ve been able to get announced. It was a cool experience, for sure.”
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