Written By: Jose Rohdin
The Jets have once again started their season 0-3, getting beaten up by the Bills, 49ers, and now the Colts. Even though the Bills and 49ers are projected to be playoff teams, the way the Jets were beaten does not bode well for the future.
Last season, it seemed like the New York Jets had hope for the future, they ended their season 6-2 in their last eight games. That is still pretty good even though the schedule was pretty easy, only playing two playoff teams, the Bills, who they beat in the final week, and the Ravens, who beat them by 21. Still, a win is a win, and after only winning one game in the first eight games, those wins were worth something.
When the draft came along, the Jets had a decent draft. They picked up Mekhi Becton as the new starting left tackle and selected Denzel Mims, a wide receiver that many scouts loved. With a solid draft, it looked like the jets were on the rise.
However, after a lengthy contract dispute with Pro Bowl safety Jamal Adams, the Jets decided to trade him for two future first-round picks, a third-round pick, and safety Bradly McDougald. The trade seemed like an even-sided deal, other than that Adams was essentially the Jets entire defense last season and was the key reason for that 6-2 record at the end of the season.
Without Adams in the back of the defense causing havoc, the defense has taken a big hit. Last season, the team allowed 22.1 points per game, and in the final eight games allowed just 13.8 points per game, even though they allowed the Ravens to score 42 points.
This season, the Jets are already allowing 31.3 points per game, tied for fifth highest in the league. On top of that, the defense keeps giving up big plays, which is usually caused by poor defensive execution.
And on top of that, the offense is also struggling, and offense is supposed to be Head Coach Adam Gase’s strong suit. Gase was specifically brought on to be an offensive-minded head coach and help quarterback Sam Darnold grow into his full potential. However, Gase and Darnold have yet to find one consistent offensive target, and the best option they had was Le’Veon Bell, who picked up a hamstring injury in Week One.
The numbers also show the Jets offensive struggles, averaging 12.3 points per game, the worst in the league. They have only mustered up four drives ending with a touchdown, and their offense only stays on the field for an average of 2 minutes per drive. With players Braxton Berrios leading the team in receiving yards, receptions, and touchdowns, and Frank Gore as the primary running back, it makes sense that the offense is struggling.
The fact of the matter is that we don’t know who to blame for the Jets troubles. Does it fall on Gase’s horrible play calling? Are Darnold’s glimpses of being a great player just glimpses, or do his struggles overshadow them? Is it the responsibility of new General Manager Joe Douglas, who had a solid first draft, but still traded a generational talent at safety, or are the effects of former General Manager Mike Maccagnan’s horrible roster-building still having effects? The thing that we do know is that the Jets will have a long season, and need a lot of help to right the ship.