Jets' Post-Bye Report Card Paints Positive Outlook
Based on the season-opening six-game sample, the New York Jets' post-bye-week grades are in.
The Jets are 3-3 overall after losing Aaron Rodgers four offensive snaps into the season, managing to stay afloat through a stretch of opponents that included both Super Bowl LVII participants.
Sports Illustrated's most-recent NFL Power Rankings have the Green & White slotted at No. 14 overall. Following back-to-back wins and a bye, Gang Green takes aim at a three-game win streak when facing the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in Week 8.
As far as the team's performance up until this point, Jets Country has issued a report card with letter grades in four different categories — offense, defense, special teams, coaching. Obviously, no grades are final and are subject to change as the season continues.
Offense: C-
The whole operation was turned upside down when the future Hall-of-Fame quarterback went out. The offense was designed for Rodgers and tailored to his strengths. Zach Wilson has been forced to take the reins while learning Nathaniel Hackett's offense on the fly. Wilson has shown improvement in recent weeks, but the reality is the Jets have totaled only seven offensive touchdowns in six games.
Garrett Wilson has flashed his star power and Breece Hall has returned to an elite performance level following last year's ACL tear, but the collection of skill players has not produced much outside of those two second-year Jets. The offensive line absorbed a blow when starter Alijah Vera-Tucker was lost for the season due to an Achilles rupture.
Defense: B
The unit's rankings aren't that impressive (Total Defense – 24th; Scoring Defense – 13th), but they don't come close to telling the whole story.
The Jets' defense makes stops when it matters most. They have allowed only one second-half touchdown all season. Opponents have totaled only 11 second-half points over the Gang Green's past three games.
Showing its ability to produce elite results, the Jets shut down star quarterbacks Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts and Russell Wilson over a grueling season-opening six-game stretch. Linebacker Quincy Williams deserves to be in the early conversation for NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Special Teams: A
The Jets' special teams have been extremely solid all the way around with some aspects of the unit bordering on elite status. Greg Zuerlein's accuracy has yielded a .933 field goal percentage. Thomas Morstead ranks sixth overall amongst NFL leaders in net punting (44.4). Meanwhile, undrafted rookie Xavier Gipson has made his presence felt in the return game.
When it comes to covering kicks and punts, the Jets have been nearly flawless. After special teams ace, and Pro Bowl gunner, Justin Hardee went on the shelf, second-year pro Irvin Charles has stepped up and performed admirably. All 23 of Zuerlein's kickoffs have resulted in touchbacks while Morstead has pinned the opposition inside its own 20-yard line on 12 of 29 punts. Two of Morstead's kicks set the stage for defensive safeties.
Coaching: B+
After dealing with high expectations in a pressurized environment throughout the summer, head coach Robert Saleh was immediately hit with adversity as the season kicked off. Against the odds, he has kept the train on track and the players seemingly enjoy playing for him.
Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett was forced to abort mission in Week 1 and tweak his scheme to better accommodate quarterback Zach Wilson. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has his group operating at a high level. Special teams coordinator Brant Boyer presides over one of the league's most-consistent units.
The team's assistants are also maximizing ability at multiple positions, especially defensive backs coach Tony Oden. Despite being down four corners, the Jets held their own against Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia aerial attack.
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