The Jets' defense has fallen off after a hot start — and it could get worse with Kansas City and Buffalo coming up
Jets head coach Aaron Glenn looks on during the fourth quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. Credit: Jim McIsaac
At the unofficial midpoint of the Jets’ season, we have to revisit what Aaron Glenn said about taking over the defensive play-calling duties. He called it his “superpower.”
Glenn backed it up early in the season, but the Jets have taken a major step backward defensively. With their next two games against Kansas City and Buffalo, it could get worse before it gets better — for the defense, for the Jets and for Glenn.
The Jets’ defense — Glenn's defense — cost them a victory on Sunday against Las Vegas. The Jets gave up 24 points after halftime and lost, 38-33, to fall to 2-6.
“I got to do a better job of getting us in the right place, and we got to do a better job of executing it and winning our one-on-ones,” Glenn said.
The Jets were the No. 1-ranked defense after two games and No. 2 after three games. Granted, it was early, but they showed signs of progress and there was a feeling they would only get better. It’s gotten worse.
Last week, the Jets allowed 28 points to the Dolphins. Miami came in averaging 14 points per game. In the second half on Sunday, the Jets gave up three straight touchdown drives of 10 plays, 10 plays and nine plays.
“From a defensive standpoint, not pleased at all with our performance as a whole,” linebacker Demario Davis said. “We're not being consistent enough, I think, with disrupting the quarterback.”
The Jets didn’t have their top edge rusher, rookie David Bailey, because of a groin injury, but that’s no excuse. Bailey played last week and the Jets let the Dolphins put up 21 points on them in the first half.
Jets offensive coordinator Frank Reich has taken heat for not involving Garrett Wilson enough or showing enough diversity and creativity on offense, but the Jets scored on their first six possessions. Wilson was targeted 12 times and caught six passes. Adonai Mitchell had 142 receiving yards, Braelon Allen racked up 153 scrimmage yards — and the Jets still lost.
The offense had its own shortcomings despite its big performance. The Jets converted only two of six red zone trips into touchdowns. They came up empty on their only goal-to-go situation — a first-and-goal from the 2, no less. In last week’s three-point loss to Miami, the Jets had a first-and-goal from the 1 and had to settle for a field goal.
“We got to be on our [expletive] that much more, and we haven't been,” Wilson said. “It's all about being a sniper. I've said that before, and that's got to be the mentality. You get one shot at this thing.”
On the other side, the Raiders scored four touchdowns in their four trips to the red zone, and all four of them were goal-to-go situations. The Jets' defense came up small every time. Defensive penalties extended drives. The Jets just couldn’t get off the field when it mattered.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
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