JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — When individuals tried to foretell why the 2024 Jets would have success. the components went one thing like this: A wholesome Aaron Rodgers added to the group’s elite protection would equal a playoff run.
As everyone knows, that components didn’t add up.
The Jets journey to face the Jaguars on Sunday with each groups having 3-10 data and with loads of questions on their futures.
Because the Jets seek for solutions about what went unsuitable this 12 months, one of many greatest mysteries stays what occurred to their as soon as fierce protection.
The unit collapsed final week in Miami, permitting a game-tying drive within the last minute of regulation and game-winning drive in time beyond regulation.
It was the third straight week the protection gave up a fourth-quarter lead.
“There’s simply moments that we now have not executed like we usually do and that’s unlucky,” mentioned interim coach Jeff Ulbrich, who can be the defensive coordinator. “And that in the end factors the finger at myself that I received to get them to teach higher. I received to get them to execute at the next degree, and in these crucial moments, they received to belief the coaching, and it’s a must to have unconscious competence, and when this season is over and we actually mirror exhausting in these moments, we received to create an answer for them. We’ve got to.”
Statistically, the Jets nonetheless look fairly good on protection.
They’re No. 4 within the NFL in whole yards allowed, however anybody who has watched intently is aware of this protection doesn’t evaluate to the one that they had final 12 months or in 2022.
The problems are widespread.
They’ve two simply interceptions this season, tied with the Giants for the fewest.
Their 54 penalties on protection are probably the most within the league.
Many penalties end in a primary down for the opposite group. They’ve averaged permitting 2.8 first downs by penalty a recreation, tied with the Lions for probably the most.
They’ve given up 400 yards thrice and 350 or extra 5 instances.
They’ve allowed 100 yards dashing eight instances.
Their 95 missed tackles are the fourth-most within the NFL.
The Jets have one other likelihood Sunday to place collectively a robust recreation on protection in opposition to a struggling Jaguars group.
“We’ve received to play the best way we’ve been enjoying the final couple of years,” cornerback Sauce Gardner mentioned, “the place it’s like we’re probably not anticipating the offense to attain that many factors, like we’ve received to win the sport ourselves.”
