In a game riddled with penalties, the New York Jets suffered a heart-wrenching 10-9 defeat against the Denver Broncos, largely due to self-inflicted wounds. Entering the bout with a respectable 2-1 record for the 2024 season, the Jets found themselves entangled in a web of errors, leading to their second loss.
Penalties Plague the Jets
The Jets committed an NFL-high 13 penalties in their Week 4 clash, a burden that significantly hampered their offensive efforts. Notably, eight of these infractions were committed by the offense, positioning the Jets as the second-most penalized team for offensive violations, following closely behind the Houston Texans’ nine penalties.
False starts were a recurring theme, with five such penalties dragging the Jets down. Left guard John Simpson and running back Breece Hall were flagged twice each, while left tackle Tyron Smith added another to the tally. This marked a stark contrast from the Jets' previous performances, where they had only one false start infraction across the first three weeks of the season.
Head Coach and Quarterback Weigh In
Post-game reactions from key figures in the organization shed light on the underlying issues. Head coach Robert Saleh voiced his concern, stating, “We got to figure it out. Whether or not we’re good enough to handle or ready enough to handle all the cadence. Cadence had not been an issue all camp. Felt like our operation had been operating pretty good. Obviously today took a major step back.”
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers echoed these sentiments, acknowledging the unusual nature of the situation. "That’s one way to do it. The other way is to hold them accountable. We haven’t had an issue. We’ve only had one false start. [Right tackle] Morgan had one false start I believe until this. You know it’s been a weapon. We use it every day in practice. We rarely have a false start. To have five today it seemed like, four or five. Yeah, it seems like an outlier. I don’t know if we need to make mass changes based on kind of an outlier game," Rodgers reflected.
Historical Context and Reflections
Providing a historical perspective, former NFL linebacker Luke Kuechly commented on Rodgers' hard count, a technique that has historically worked in his favor. "He nailed it: 'my hard count is a weapon.' The amount of big plays, go ask Jordy Nelson. 'Hey Jordy, do you think the hard count that Aaron Rodgers has is effective?' He would say, 'Yeah, I got paid a lot of money on go balls that Aaron threw me after a defensive lineman jumped offsides.’"
Accountability and Attention to Detail
Former Green Bay Packers receiver Davante Adams also weighed in on the necessity for precision and discipline. "Aaron is all about the attention to detail. So, snap count, that’s attention to detail. You got to be locked in on something like that. We always talked about in Green Bay 'that the play is hard enough to win on its own, so let’s not lose it pre-snap.' ... At least let's get our pre-snap operation smooth.' Everybody hears the same snap count in the huddle, so there's really no excuse for one of these things. Holding people accountable, I agree (with Rodgers). Sometimes that’s what you have to do versus run from it. Have certain consequences if guys can’t get right,” Adams asserted.
Missed Opportunities
Compounding their woes, the Jets missed a golden opportunity to clinch the game. With just 51 seconds left on the clock, kicker Greg Zuerlein missed a crucial 50-yard field goal that would have put the Jets ahead. This miss encapsulated the evening's frustrations, combining execution errors with missed opportunities to secure a much-needed win.
In summary, the Jets' narrow loss to the Broncos serves as an eye-opener, spotlighting areas demanding immediate attention. Whether it's the need for enhanced discipline or a more rigorous examination of pre-snap routines, the roadmap for improvement is clear. As the Jets march forward in the 2024 season, addressing these issues will be paramount in transforming their potential into consistent victories.