The New York Jets dropped their third-consecutive game yesterday afternoon in painful fashion. After a fast start to 2022, the Jets are now 7-7 with playoff hopes in the balance.
Yesterday’s 20-17 loss was just another game in which could not find a way to seal the deal late. Chances were there in all three phases, and as a team, the execution simply was not there in vital situations yet again.
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New York Jets Week 15 Recap:
Starting with the turnover battle, the Jets have now lost it three games in a row, playing a key part in this three-game losing streak.
The Jets dropped the turnover battle 1-0 yesterday. Defensively, the Jets have not created a turnover in the last three games. Even further, they have one in the last five games. Not good enough for a team vying to enter postseason play.
The shame of yesterday’s loss is the Jets executed better than the Detroit Lions on both third down and in the red zone. On third, the Jets went 7-14 (50%) to the Lions 5-15 (33%). In the red zone, the Jets were 1-2 to the Lions 0-3.
In the penalty department, the Jets also happened to win with ease. They only committed two fouls for 20 yards to the Lions’ six for 52. Unfortunately, the Jets once again lost the time of possession battle handily, only controlling the football for 27:28 in Week 15.
The New York Jets does not exploit a bottom-ranked defense:
Going into yesterday’s matchup, there was no excuse to not score at least 24 points on the Lions’ 32nd-ranked defense, which would have, as highlighted in the game preview, been enough for the Jets to win.
Starting up front, on both sides, in the trenches, the Jets got worked physically in this game. Starting with the rushing attack, the Jets ran the ball 22 times for 50 yards, an uninspiring 2.3 yards per carry. Even worse, the Jets’ longest run of the day went for six yards—one dreadful day.
The pass protection happened to be no better. A whopping 10 quarterback hits and four sacks were allowed by the Jets’ offensive line in yesterday’s contest.
In his post-benching debut, Zach Wilson played his typical brand of ball, filled with highs and lows. The big, exciting plays when improvising, on the move, were there. Still though, within structure, the accuracy, timing, and decision-making were all inconsistent.
Wilson played a part in this loss with a bad third quarter. That being said, in comparison to his two losses against the New England Patriots, there were other issues than Wilson that played a role in the Jets losing this huge game.
Wilson finished the day going 18-35 (51.4%), for 317 yards (9.1 yards per attempt), with two touchdowns, one interception, and an 89.8 rating. He had two completions go for 40 or more yards.
Wide receivers Garrett Wilson, Elijah Moore, and Jeff Smith all caught four passes. Wilson recorded 98 yards, Smith finished with 77, and Moore had 51. CJ Uzomah had his best game as a Jet catching both of his targets for touchdowns, concluding with 41 yards.
The New York Jets defense does not do enough:
On the defensive side of the football, the Jets allowed an uncharacteristic 359 yards and 5.4 yards per play. As noted above, turnovers have been virtually impossible to come by. Beyond being opportunistic, making plays on the football, the Jets struggled to make any sort of splash plays in yesterday’s ballgame. They only tallied five quarterback hits and not one sack. The Jets lost in the trenches on both sides of the ball in this one.
They allowed the Lions to control the game, chewing up the clock and possessing the football for 32:32. The unit allowed 107 yards on the ground (3.8 yards per carry).
When it mattered most, with a chance to win the game, the defense gave up an unacceptable 51-yard score. The defense did not do enough for the Jets to win yesterday.
Attention now needs to turn fast on a short week to another blazing-hot football team in, the Jacksonville Jaguars trying to get into the playoffs. The great thing is that the Jets have the advantage of playing this Thursday night game at home. Winning out is the only option from this point forward for the Jets.