Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) celebrates with teammates Micheal Clemons (72) and Nathan Shepherd (97).
AP Photo/John Minchillo
FLORHAM PARK — When Aaron Rodgers went down for the year two weeks ago, the belief was that the New York Jets vaunted defense they possess would need to be key to their games.
Lost in the concerns of the team’s offensive line and quarterback through two games is that same defense had one of their worst games of the Robert Saleh and Jeff Ulbrich era last Sunday in Dallas.
“It wasn’t our standard as we all know, nobody in that locker room or the coaching staff is happy with how we played, but ultimately it was a third down issue,” the defensive coordinator said. “Partly me, there are some calls I would love to have back and partly the guys just need to execute a little bit better. We get off on those third downs and those drives just don’t keep extending and keeping us on the field, so that was a big part of it.”
New York gave up over 380 yards of offense and allowed the Cowboys to go 9-18 on third down. Dallas scored on seven offensive drives in the contest – more than any opponent in the last two seasons. The 42:15-17:45 time of possession difference was a collection of major issues the team is working through.
With all of those issues though, problems along the defense and organization can go away if the Jets can beat their arch-rival on Sunday. The New England Patriots have won 14 straight games against Gang Green – the last games thanks to ineptitude on the offensive side of the ball.
Gang Green’s offense will be under the microscope again, but the only way the Jets can officially win against Bill Belichick’s squad is if their defense leads the way.
New England may sit at a disappointing 0-2 on the year, but improved play from quarterback Mac Jones, and the return of Bill O’Brien to the staff make the offense far more lethal.
“I know their record does not indicate that and I know they got…
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