The New York Jets’ 2023 season has taken a distressing turn. Ever since Aaron Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles in Week 1, it has become evident that the team is heading off the rails. As we reach the nine-week mark, it is truly astonishing to see how far they have deviated from their intended course.
The Jets’ recent loss to the Chargers on Monday Night Football served as a glaring reminder of everything that is wrong with the team, especially when it comes to the offense. Head coach Robert Saleh finds himself all but devoid of answers.
“Today was not good, obviously. Every time we had momentum, just a self-inflicted wound. Was it (Zach’s) best game? Obviously not. Was it his worst game? No. I’m not going to say it was even close to his worst game.”
It is astonishing that a quarterback can throw the ball 49 times, amassing only 263 yards with no touchdowns. However, due to the many disastrous performances before this one, it becomes impossible to label it as his “worst game.” Indeed, Zach Wilson’s performance has been abysmal, and there are no signs of improvement. Nevertheless, Saleh is not yet considering a quarterback change.
One can comprehend Saleh’s reluctance to make a switch. The trade deadline has come and gone, and the team harbors hopes of Rodgers returning before the season concludes. Therefore, it seems logical to stick with what they have, despite its inadequacies.
Make no mistake, the Jets’ offense is currently atrocious.
At present, they rank last in the NFL for passing yards, and they share the lead for the fewest passing touchdowns and first downs through the air. When it comes to quarterback passer ratings, only the Browns and Raiders fare worse.
Shockingly, the poor passing game is even impacting the Jets’ running game. Opposing defenses have little reason to respect Wilson’s abilities, leading them to stack the box and stifle the running game effectively. Consequently, despite having one of the most promising young running backs in Breece Hall, the Jets rank 19th in rushing yards and second-to-last in rushing attempts.
The team finds themselves in a predicament where, if their formidable defense allows any opponent to score, the only way back into the game is to keep throwing and hope for a miracle. Unfortunately, hope alone is not a plan, and the team is suffering as a result.
However, amidst the gloom, Jets fans can find solace in the team’s other phases of play. A closer look at their DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average) reveals a staggering contrast between the different aspects of the game.
Defense: -10.4% (6th in the NFL)
Special Teams: 4.5% (1st in the NFL)
Offense: -23.3% (30th in the NFL)
The conspicuous disparity between the defensive and special teams performance, in contrast to the abysmal offense, is truly remarkable. For instance, the Jacksonville Jaguars rank 3rd in defense and 2nd in special teams, but only 17th in offense, yet they are leading the AFC South with an impressive 7-2 record. A mere average offense in New York could elevate the Jets to become one of the NFL’s best teams, but unfortunately, they find themselves at 4-4 and out of contention in their division.
Unless one harbors genuine animosity toward the Jets (as some do), it is painful to witness a team suffer so greatly due to a single phase of the game. It is easy to argue that if Aaron Rodgers were under center for the Jets instead of Zach Wilson, this team could be among the best in the AFC, if not the entire NFL.
However, there is a silver lining. The Jets possess the potential for a profound rebound. While the exact future involvement of Aaron Rodgers remains uncertain, the team boasts a talented defense and all the necessary offensive pieces to transform into a relevant force. A quarterback of moderate competence, one who commands respect from opposing football teams, would be enough to open up the run game and propel the Jets towards success.
For now, the Jets serve as the greatest “what if?” in the NFL. They could have been mentioned in the same breath as the Chiefs, but instead, they are simply painful to watch. And that, my friends, is a truly unfortunate shame.
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