The Jets are considered to be one of the better defenses in the NFL.
But it certainly didn’t look like it during Cowboys 30-10 rout of the Jets on Sunday.
Dallas ran 87 plays, which resembled what teams do at the college level with all the uptempo offenses, not the NFL. Because of the abnormal plays ran, Gang Green’s defense appeared to be gassed, allowing the Cowboys to convert nine of 18 third down conversions (50%).
“I would say the main thing is just our consistency,” Jets linebacker and defensive captain C.J. Mosley said about the defense. “We had a good first down play and they get a few leaky yards on second down, maybe get a big second down and end up in third and short.
“Just being in those situations is always tough with an offense like that with that type of skill level just to get off the field on a lot of third and shorts. For us, it’s being consistent on those first and second downs. When we create a negative play, let’s keep them backed up so they can keep them in second and long, third and long.
“So for us, I feel like that was the biggest thing that kept them on the field.”
Everything that could’ve gone wrong for the Jets did during their 20-point loss to the Cowboys. Not only did Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott complete his first 13 passes to begin the game, but he finished the afternoon 31 of 38 for 255 yards and two touchdowns. Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb also couldn’t be stopped, as he registered 11 catches for 143 yards. Not to mention, the Jets only brought down Prescott once the entire game.
The offensive side of the ball wasn’t any better for the Jets. Zach Wilson was solid in the first half, completing 5 of 10 passes for 94 yards during that span. He also led the team in rushing with 36. Wilson’s legs helped the Jets get a late field goal before halftime, which made the score 18-10.
However, the Jets didn’t generate a single point during the second half after Wilson threw three interceptions. Worst than that, the Jets offensive line didn’t provide much protection. Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons sacked Wilson twice and hit him four other times.
Gang Green’s rushing attack was also absent. Breece Hall and Dalvin Cook combined to rush for 16 yards on eight carries.
“It was one of those games where you’re one block away on every run,” Jets center Connor McGovern said. “It wasn’t the same person every time and when you’re taking turns missing assignments and not executing at a high level, that’s the cool thing and the unfortunate thing about offense, it takes all 11.
“It’s not one guy making a special play to make a play go. When you’re in a game like that and everyone takes their turn, it’s tough sledding for sure.
“Pass pro [protection] is a lot easier when you know you’re passing the ball. I’m pretty sure I stood up here on Tuesday last week or Wednesday and said there’s a list of things we cannot do and we happen to do all of those things.”
Now, the Jets will look to turn the page as they will host a familiar foe this weekend, the Patriots. New England is also coming off a tough loss on Sunday, dropping a game, 24-17, to the Miami Dolphins in Foxborough.
It is no secret the Patriots have had the Jets numbers during the last seven seasons. New England has defeated the Jets 14 consecutive times dating back to 2016.
A win against the Patriots, the Jets will be 2-1, with both of their wins coming within the AFC East. A loss would drop the Jets to 1-2 and in last place in the division with games against the Chiefs, Broncos, and Eagles before their Week 7 bye.
“Just like last week wasn’t the Super Bowl, this week is not the apocalypse either,” Jets coach Robert Saleh said. “I know it tends to feel that way, especially in this market, but it is what it is, we lost a game that was a hell of a football team.
“You gotta be able to face the music and try to figure out what went wrong and tell the truth about it and don’t just read a box score and make assumptions and try to tell the truth about one another and where we need to get better whether it’s playcalling from a coaching standpoint, whether it’s execution from a player’s standpoint, whether it’s anything.
“You’re just trying to find ways to make sure it doesn’t happen again. But you have to turn the page and go on to the next game. We got 15 of these left and yesterday obviously sucked, but then again, it’s not the end of the world either.”
