The New York Jets’ offensive line showed some improvements, but nearly enough to inspire much confidence during their Week 2 loss to the New England Patriots.
Coming off a season opener in which they allowed rookie quarterback Zach Wilson to get sacked six times, the Jets yielded four sacks to the Patriots while their young passer was pressured on 48.7 % of his snaps, per CLNS. That put an obvious damper on a day that saw the Jets rush for 152 yards as a team.
The objective of keeping Wilson on his feet faces another stiff test this Sunday in Week 3 against the 2-0 Denver Broncos, who have allowed the fifth-fewest points in the NFL and the third-fewest yards.
But their pass rush took a hit this week when it was announced that outside linebacker Bradley Chubb would undergo arthroscopic surgery on his ankle Wednesday after aggravating the area during Denver’s Week 2 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The 25-year-old North Carolina St. product was coming off a 7.5-sack 2020 season — 2.5 of those coming against the Jets.
His absence in no way lets the Jets off the hook. Chubb’s opposite number, right outside linebacker Von Miller, already has three sacks this season — which accounts for all of the Broncos’ sacks in 2021 — along with eight quarterback pressures.
Miller’s presence is a big enough test for a Jets defense that is continuing to adjust to life without Mekhi Becton, who had surgery on Tuesday to repair a knee injury.
Starting right tackle George Fant was forced to move from right tackle to left while Morgan Moses — the man who lost out to Fant for the starting job on the right side — moves up to the No. 1 spot on the depth chart.
“It was fine,” Fant said of the Jets’ adjustments. “There were highs and lows. I’m building my confidence over there again. Obviously, there are plays guys want back, but it’s just something to build on, a cornerstone, for sure.”
