Jets Deliver Offensive Dud, Fall to Patriots for 15th Straight Time
The numbers speak for themselves.
The New York Jets looked offensively challenged for much of the day, dropping a 15-10 decision to the AFC East rival New England Patriots on September 24 in East Rutherford.
On a gloomy Sunday at MetLife Stadium, the Green & White averaged only 2.8 yards per play and accounted for a 2-of-14 sample on third down. Sending the Jets to a 15th consecutive loss in the head-to-head series, the visiting Pats outgained the hosts by a 358-171 margin in total yardage.
Working behind a newly-configured offensive line, quarterback Zach Wilson went 18-of-36 passing for 157 yards.
"It would help if we could help around him, in terms of the way we play," said Jets' third-year head coach Robert Saleh.
With left tackle Duane Brown landing on Injured Reserve, the Jets started Mekhi Becton in his place alongside left guard Laken Tomlinson, center Connor McGovern, right guard Joe Tippmann and right tackle Alijah Vera-Tucker. Wilson was sacked three times and seemed to feel pressure on nearly every crucial down.
"We’ll go back and watch them, there’s always a chance to try to get rid of it if I can," said Wilson.
The offense started slow, going three-and-out on their first possession. The Jets netted only 58 total yards on offense in the first half. Wilson threw for only 29 yards on 10 attempts while Breece Hall and Dalvin Cook combined for 29 yards on 15 carries over the first 30:00.
"You're trying to establish a run game and I think it was under two yards a carry today," said Saleh.
Hall finished with 18 yards rushing on 12 attempts. Cook carried eight times for 18 yards.
"It was just tough sledding today. We just couldn’t get it going. I feel like I could have done better," said Hall.
The Patriots were committed to the ground game with a two-headed tandem grinding out yardage. Rhamondre Stevenson and Ezekiel Elliott combined for 139 rush yards on 35 carries.
"It was a really big challenge against the Jets' front. They play a lot of people up there and they’ve got a lot of good ones," said Pats' head coach Bill Belichick. "But a lot of it’s just staying on the blocks. Finishing blocks. Good running. Just good execution and grind it out."
New England field general Mac Jones connected with nine different receivers, finishing 15-of-29 passing for 201 yards and one touchdown.
The Patriots took a 3-0 lead on a 48-yard field goal with 10:46 left in the opening quarter and led the rest of the way. In what appeared to be a busted coverage, Jones hit Pharoah Brown for a 58-yard scoring strike that bumped New England's advantage to 10-0 only 3:11 into the second quarter.
Belichick's defense recorded a safety late in the fourth quarter when Matthew Judon sacked Wilson, making the score 15-10 with 2:27 to go.
The Jets actually had a desperation attempt to win the game as a Hail Mary fell incomplete at the gun.
Gang Green has not defeated the Patriots since December 2015. The Jets have lost all five head-to-head meetings during Saleh's tenure.
It won't get any easier for Gang Green as the Super Bowl LVII champion Kansas City Chiefs visit the Meadowlands for Sunday Night Football on October 1.
JETS' INACTIVES (Week 3): RB Israel Abanikanda, S Tony Adams, LB Zaire Barnes, WR Jason Brownlee, CB Bryce Hall, OL Wes Schweitzer
READ MORE:
Jets' First-Round Rookie and Veteran Both Active vs. Patriots
Prepping for Patriots, Jets Make Four Moves on Saturday
NFL Whacks Jets' Whitehead for $21.8K Fine
Stock Report: Two Up, Two Down ahead of Week 3 Battle vs. Pats
