Gang, Broncos clash has skid-row feeling
The Jets’ Week 1 win over Detroit feels like it was sometime around the Paleozoic Era. Since that dramatic opening-night victory, the Jets have dropped three in a row, and looked bad doing it last week against the Jaguars.
They return home Sunday to face a 2-2 Broncos team that is dealing with a twogame losing streak of its own. It is the first of three home games for the 1-3 Jets, and they come back to MetLife Stadium in desperate need of a victory.
“Every single day you come in here and work, obviously when you lose, we’re not trying to lose, we’re trying to win ball games here,” rookie quarterback Sam Darnold said. “It obviously sucks because you put so much time into the week trying to beat these guys and then you just come up short on the weekend, during the game. That’s not what you want. At the same time, you just got to keep the same mindset, one team one goal, we’re all we got.”
Darnold has already experienced plenty of rookie growing pains. Last week against the Jaguars, he could not establish any rhythm and missed some open receivers on big plays. His defense did not help him out by allowing Blake Bortles to carve them up with short crossing patterns.
The Broncos are coming off a disappointing loss Monday to the Chiefs. Denver, with new quarterback Case Keenum, will be trying to avoid its own three-game losing streak in this game.
Jets players emphasized communication this week and starting a winning streak at home.
“They’re a very good team that runs the ball well,” nose tackle Steve McLendon said. “The biggest thing is it’s about us. It’s about the men in this locker room and what we’re capable of doing.”
On offense, the Jets need to come out with a fast start. They have scored just one first-quarter touchdown this season and have not scored on their opening drive yet.
“We’ve got to go to work and go to the field angry,’’ offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates said. “We have to have a better opening series and that starts with coaching. We have to find a way to get into a rhythm.’’