Every team needs to improve, and the Jets are no exception.
After an incredibly lackluster 4-12 season in 2018, the Jets head into 2019 with a lot of changes. The implementation of Adam Gase’s new offense, coupled with the additions of Le’Veon Bell, Jamison Crowder and Kelechi Osemele, will make Sam Darnold’s odds of positive development that much better.
On the defensive end, the Jets retained much of their young core of playmakers and added some studs in C.J. Mosley and rookie defensive lineman Quinnen Williams. Gregg Williams’ vociferous coaching style could produce a good product or completely tank the Jets’ mediocre defense.
With all that considered, here are four statistical areas where the Jets must see improvement in 2019.
Run defense
Pass rush remains an obvious hole on the Jets roster, but the team’s run defense in 2018 was among the worst in the league. The Jets gave up 126.3 yards per game, which was 26th in the NFL.
There were stretches in 2018 where the Jets’ run defense soared – against the Lions in Week 1, the Dolphins in Week 9 and the Texans in Week 15 – but for the most part, Todd Bowles could not find a way to stop teams from running the football. Gregg Williams could be the man to turn this sore stat around, though, with Mosley running the show in the middle of the defense and the line attacking from all sides.
Turnovers
Giving the ball away is the easiest way to finish with a losing record, and the Jets were one of the most turnover-prone teams in the NFL in 2018.
Rookie quarterbacks rarely have mistake-free seasons, and Darnold was no exception. He threw 15 interceptions and the Jets as a team lost 30 total fumbles – good for fourth-most in the league.
That, coupled with a -10 turnover differential, is a huge reason why the Jets need to cut back on the giveaways quickly. Darnold’s numbers should improve with another year of practicing under his belt, and the Jets are hoping Le’Veon Bell won’t fumble as much as he did the two seasons before he took a year off.
Third Down conversions
The Jets just couldn’t stay on the field in 2018, and part of that was because they couldn’t extend drives on third down. New York only converted 32.2 percent of their attempts and the Jets’ drives rarely lasted longer than two minutes.
A lot of the third-down conversion issues are at the hands of the coach and quarterbacks, meaning Darnold’s relationship with Gase must be strong heading into next season. That, plus smarter decisions by Darnold, will should lead to more touchdown drives than field goals and/or punts.
Passing yards per game
In a passing league, the gunslingers win games. That couldn’t be said for the Jets, though, who threw for only 197.8 yards per game – 25th in the NFL. That minimal passing effort typically led to low-scoring offensive performances for the Jets, which will need to be a huge part of Gase’s restoration project in Year 1.
Darnold is the key to this, and the Jets gave him more weapons to play with for his second season. Gase’s offense typically includes a lot of passing, and the Jets will need to be aggressive to stay competitive in games.
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