The Jets slightly improved after their disappointing performance against the Patriots on Monday night, but it wasn’t nearly enough as they fell to the Jaguars, 29-15 on Sunday.
It was better in the sense that the Jets scored 15 more points than last week, but the same issues hurt the team. Sam Darnold has a turnover problem, the offensive line is the worst in the league and the defense allows way too many big plays. At 1-6, it’s time for the Jets to look ahead to Tuesday’s trade deadline and deal anybody who has value.
With that being said, let’s take a look at the Jets’ studs and duds from their sixth loss of the season.
Dud: Offensive Line
It’s Week 8 of the regular season and the offensive line still doesn’t know how to pick up a blitz.
The offensive line lacks talent, we know that. But no offensive line should be this bad. The Jets have had to make a ton of changes on the line due to injuries, but this unit doesn’t look like it knows how to play with each other. They allowed another eight sacks against the Jaguars with three of them on rookie left tackle Chuma Edoga. Meanwhile, the Jets aren’t creating any holes for Le’Veon Bell, who was held to under 25 rushing yards.
Dud: Sam Darnold
It was a problem for Sam Darnold at USC and its continuing in the NFL: he’s a turnover machine.
After throwing four interceptions on Monday against the Patriots, Darnold threw another three against the Jaguars. He’s making poor decisions and the pressure that is getting to him isn’t helping. Darnold had some bright spots in this one when he got the ball out quickly, but he’s showing signs of regression after a dazzling return against the Cowboys a few weeks ago.
He finished the day 21-30 for 218 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions.
Stud: Ryan Griffin
When Darnold did get the ball out of his hands quickly, it usually went in the hands of his tight end, Ryan Griffin.
Griffin had four catches for 66 yards and two touchdowns, as well a two-point conversion grab. He has shown signs of life since Darnold returned after being non-existent with Luke Falk throwing the ball. Griffin has three touchdowns in the last three games after having none in the first four.
However, he can’t be the team’s leader in receiving yards if this offense wants to have any success going forward.
Dud: Robby Anderson
While Darnold’s interceptions were ultimately on him, Robby Anderson didn’t do him any favors.
On two of the three interceptions by Darnold, Anderson didn’t even try to make an attempt at the ball. He just let the ball go into the defenders’ hands both times. Anderson has been known to lose interest when the team is going south and it seems we have reached that point. He only had four catches for 43 yards on the day.
His name has been brought up in trade talks, so it will be interesting to see if this was his final game in green and white.
Stud: Jordan Willis
The Jets defense hasn’t created a ton of turnovers this season, but Jordan Willis helped with that.
He had a strip-sack on Gardner Minshew that was recovered by Blake Cashman. It was his first sack of the season after not having much playing time earlier in the year.
Willis also had three tackles in the game.
Stud: Kyle Phillips
Kyle Phillips has proven to be a nice pick up after going undrafted in this past year.
Phillips was responsible for five tackles in the game, three of which were for a loss. He also had half a sack that was shared with fellow rookie Quinnen Williams.
The Jets have a ton of issues right now, but the defensive line doesn’t seem to be one of them.
