Hard to see much hope for this Gang
Head coach Adam Gase succinctly broke down the Jets problems after their embarrassing loss to San Francisco. “Obviously, we did not play the game that we needed to play,” Gase said. “We needed to eliminate all the explosive plays on defense, we didn’t do that. We had to do a good job of moving the ball and staying in third and manageable, we actually did that in the first half on offense, but we didn’t score when we got our chance in the red zone. We just didn’t do enough as a team to really do anything against these guys.”
Where do the Jets go from here?
Nothing on the team is working and there aren’t enough available solutions to fix everything that’s wrong with the team this year.
There are flashes of a functioning team within the framework of the Jets’ roster. Marcus Maye is one of the better box safeties in the league. Mekhi Becton has been excellent through two starts against two elite defensive lines. Sam Darnold has shown the ability to play at a high level, even if the consistency isn’t there yet. Quinnen Williams had a breakout performance against the 49ers with two sacks and two tackles for loss.
However, there are two problems with this team. They don’t have the talent to consistently apply pressure to their opponents and their coaching staff isn’t getting the most out of the roster that’s been assembled. Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams coordinated the Jets defense toward a successful season last year, but it just doesn’t appear to have the fire to repeat the successes of last year.
That leaves the Jets facing a brutal reality for the rest of the season: they aren’t good enough.
For normal teams, 0-2 doesn’t have to be a death sentence. Does it make life difficult and a bit more stressful for the rest of the season? Of course. In theory, the Jets could bounce back from this and have a strong season.
However, anyone who has watched this team play or just skimmed the stats from their first two losses knows that isn’t a likely outcome.
“I’m (ticked) right now,” coach Adam Gase said. “This s—t is no fun going out there and getting your ass beat.”
That’s exactly what’s been going on for the Jets. Through two games, the Jets have been outscored 58-30 and two of their three touchdowns have come in clear garbage time when the game was out of hand. Darnold has just 394 passing yards through two games. Frank Gore, who was drafted in 2005, ran the ball 21 times against the 49ers for just three yards per carry.
JENKINS TAKES A STAND
Edge defender Jordan Jenkins, who has developed into a leader for the Jets defense over the past few seasons, used the media availability to try to energize his team after the loss.
“If you really want to be about it, you gotta step up,” Jenkins said. “You gotta look yourself in the mirror individually and don’t just come in here tomorrow and try and get through the day. Like, you got to actually watch this film and see what you did wrong and fix it.”
Jenkins came to play against the 49ers, posting four tackles, a sack and a tackle for loss in the losing effort.
“I’m going to keep it blunt, we haven’t shown progress,” Jenkins said. “It’s been rinse and repeat for the past two games. It’s either we’re going to keep getting embarrassed or we’re going to respond, that ’s what it comes down to.”
INJURY UPDATE
Wide receiver Breshad Perriman (ankle), center Connor McGovern (hamstring), cornerback Quincy Wilson (concussion) and cornerback Arthur Maulet (groin) left the game with injuries and will be evaluated to determine the extent of their injuries.