Despite the repetition of that all-too-familiar disastrous script for the New York Jets at the end of their 34-32 loss to Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium, things at least feel different for the Aaron Glenn-led squad.
Maddening inconsistencies and crater-sized roster holes were not as visible in Week 1, and Gang Green’s debut has the makings of at least being a competitive football team. That’s more than what could be said for most of the Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh era.
Let’s take a look at who’s hot and who’s not after the opening week.
Hot: Justin Fields
The new Jets’ quarterback looked more than solid on his debut, executing offensive coordinator Tanner Engrstrand’s vision to a tee for most of the season opener.
After a questionable showing throughout the preseason, Fields completed 16 of 22 passes for 218 yards and a touchdown to go with two more rushing scores. The deep ball looked solid, headlined by a 33-yard touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson, and pairing that with his legs suggests that there is a legitimate dual threat brewing.
While he sputtered in crunch time, he is already taking the Jets toward new heights. New York scored 30 or more points just twice all of last season — both of which were 32-point efforts in Weeks 15 and 18.
“That’s who he is,” Glenn said. “Each one of you guys [the media] were dogging him all preseason about what he can’t do, and he showed what he can do. We’re all going to say this: There are some things he could’ve done better. Obviously, he’s going to feel the same way. But this is a step-by-step process. He’s not done with his progression… the only thing we’re looking at is keep being efficient, keep being yourself, and don’t let any outside noise distract who you’re going to be.”
Not: The secondary
This should not come as a surprise. Outside of Sauce Gardner, the Jets’ secondary was one of its largest uncertainties heading into the season.
After four quarters, it is abundantly clear that it is the weakest area of the team.
Gang Green allowed their old friend Rodgers to complete 22 of 30 passes for 244 yards and four touchdowns — just one more indignation the Jets had to sit through after Glenn and new GM Darren Mougey had the future Hall of Famer fly out to California back in March just to tell him that they didn’t want him.
Andre Cisco, Tony Adams, and Brandon Stephens struggled all afternoon to keep track of Pittsburgh’s receivers, which was none more obvious when looking at the average separation they were able to open.
Ben Skowronek averaged 8.47 yards of separation between him and Jets defenders, Jonnu Smith averaged 4.34 yards, and DK Metcalf averaged 3.2 yards. The league average is 2.9 yards per NFL Next Gen Stats.
“For the most part, when we were in man coverage, I thought our guys were very sticky,” Glenn said. “Brandon’s been doing a really good job through coverage through training camp, but the thing we need to continue to work on with him is to locate and finish on the ball. I’m encouraged. As the season progresses, he’ll be able to make those plays… Some of the zone coverage we have to get better at as far as understanding where guys are.”
