What was expected to revitalize the season ended in heartbreak after the Jets lost to the Bills on Monday. The two AFC East teams played a game engulfed by yellow flags. This resulted in an absurd 204 total penalty yards. It was a devasting blow to the Jets playoff odds after Aaron Rodgers’ game-ending interception for a second week in a row. The result is a team that’s 2-4 with a matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers ahead. The team needed a spark and acquired three-time First Team All-Pro wide Davante Adams. The Davante Adams trade will help with the miscommunication between Rodgers and his receivers. However, there is still much work that needs to be done post-Davante Adams trade if the Jets want to end their playoff-less streak.
OFFICIAL: We have traded for WR Davante Adams. pic.twitter.com/FbCWWDeVHL
— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 15, 2024
Four Areas to Improve Post Davante Adams Trade
The New York Jets are a team searching for answers. Woody Johnson made a reactionary decision to move on from head coach Robert Saleh after only five games into the season. This has been a frustrating decision for the roster, especially the defense. While the record doesn’t reflect it, Robert Saleh has built a talented defense. Since the firing, the team has been adjusting to new head coach Jeff Ulbrich. From defensive coordinator to head coach, Jeff Ulbrich did have some bright spots. Despite the loss, the offense operated better under new play-caller Todd Downing. But this doesn’t erase the four interceptions by Aaron Rodgers over the past two weeks. Nor Greg Zuerlein’s crucial missed field goals. Davante Adams will help but work needs to be done.
Offensive line
For the Jets to overcome their schedule, they will need to keep Aaron Rodgers off the ground. The veteran quarterback has been sacked ten times for a loss of 89 yards over the last three games. You cannot play winning football like this. Tyron Smith‘s gold jacket is a lock, but the veteran tackle has looked human over the past five weeks. The return of Morgan Moses was immediately felt. Especially in the Jets unsatisfactory running game. With the veteran right tackle back, it could be time to give rookie Olu Fashanu reps at left tackle. He looked raw at right tackle recently, but that’s a position he’s still learning. After not letting up a sack in 2023 at Penn State, it’s time to make the switch & allow the rookie to prove himself.
Olu Fashanu Every Snap – #Jets vs #Vikings – All 22 pic.twitter.com/4o2T63gNHJ
— JetsTalk24/7 (@JetsTalk247) October 9, 2024
Stopping the run
After nearly a month and a half, it’s clear that there are problems within the Jets stout defense. The unit as a whole is performing well despite key injuries to Jermaine Johnson II, Michael Carter II, and CJ Mosley. However, there is a glaring hole in their ability to stop the run. The team has allowed over 124 yards per game on the ground through six games. The addition of Javon Kinlaw has not lived up to the hype and Quinnen Williams is once again in need of help in the interior. The losses of Bryce Huff and Jonathan Franklin-Myers are exacerbated further. Haason Reddick’s absence also leaves this unit with few options. Joe Douglas has to find a way to mend this before the trade deadline. If not, New York cannot take advantage of their new offense.
Kicker/Special Teams
Last season, special teams were an area of strength for New York. Led by the veteran duo of punter Thomas Morstead & kicker Greg Zuerlein kept the Jets in the game with their clutch kicking. Greg Zuerlein especially came through with 13 field goals off 14 attempts(92.8%) within 40-49 yards and a whooping five-for-six from 50+ yards. This includes the 54-yard game-winner against the Commanders on Christmas Eve. However, the 13-year veteran has had a brutal couple of weeks. Unfortunately, he’s been five-for-nine (55%) over the last three games, including two doinks off the upright on Monday. The team needs Zuerlein to snap out of this funk, but the team is already assessing alternatives if required.
Aaron Rodgers needs to be more of a game manager.
Aaron Rodgers is a future hall of famer and coming off his best game of the season. In the same breath, he is not close to his prime and threw interceptions on the final drive in back-to-back games. The team acquired him to be the difference maker in one-possession games, and amidst this losing streak, he failed to deliver when it mattered most. Especially the interception on Monday. Yes, Mike Williams tripped. However, Rodgers threw to Mike Williams while he had Breece Hall on a check-down that could have been a first down. Especially on the last play before the two-minute drill with all three timeouts remaining, it was a stupid throw.
Aaron Rodgers looks pissed that Mike Williams fell down….this would’ve been drastically underthrown either way pic.twitter.com/QlfEtirBv0
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) October 15, 2024
Aaron Rodgers is still more than skilled enough to lead this team to the playoffs. Despite this, he’s not the same quarterback we witnessed win back-to-back MVPs three years ago. To maximize this offense, he needs to focus less on playing “hero ball” and keep getting the ball out quickly. While he needs to step up, Breece Hall has shown he’s still a capable receiver out of the backfield. Now armed with a new-look wide receiver room and the return of Tyler Conklin, he now has a decent support system. He just needs to get out of his own way and trust his teammates to get YAC yards to keep drives alive.
Main Photo: [Tommy Gilligan] – USA Today Sports
