The Jets have entered true must-win territory after Sunday’s loss, We said that after the loss to Buffalo last game but’s now dire. This past Sunday, the Jets had a rare opportunity to solidify their playoff hopes for the rest of the season. The Miami Dolphins had lost to the Buffalo Bills on Saturday night, giving the Jets a chance to jump back into the playoff picture with a win. Despite their hot streak coming into the game, the Lions had areas of weakness that seemed primed for exploration by the Jets. Missing quarterback Mike White or star defensive lineman Quinnen Williams would make the game more difficult, but the Jets had beaten more formidable opponents this season. So, it seemed like the Jets were primed to start their final four-game stretch on a good note.
Unfortunately, that did not happen. The Jets lost to the Lions 20-17, dropping them to a 7-7 record on the year. The blame for the loss can be shifted and put on various coaches and players. At the end of the day, though, it was a complete team loss due to mistakes being made in every aspect of the game.
The special teams unit was not good enough, as Braden Mann consistently failed to pin the Lions deep in their own end. In the first quarter, Mann had a low, line drive kick that resulted in a Kalif Raymond punt return touchdown. The punter did not give his unit a chance to cover the kick, resulting in a very easy return touchdown by NFL standards. That early Lions lead was pivotal for them after being stuffed on the goal line on their first drive; it allowed them to dictate the game’s flow and forced the Jets to play from behind mainly.
The offense was very hit-or-miss throughout the game, mainly due to Zach Wilson and the offensive line. A typically sound group early on in the season, the unit has struggled in the past few weeks. This was the case against an underrated Detroit defensive line, as the Jets could not get a rushing attack going. The team only generated 38 yards on the ground, and according to Michael Nania of Jets X-Factor, they had zero yards before contact. In addition, the offensive line constantly gave up pressure in the passing game.
As a result of a woeful rushing attack and worrisome pass blocking, the Lions essentially dared Zach Wilson to beat them. And to the second-year quarterback’s credit, he did make some impressive throws on the move and outside of the pocket. The 40-yard touchdown pass to C.J. Uzomah and the 33-yard completions to Garrett Wilson were two of the more impressive throws Wilson has made as a pro.
Unfortunately, Wilson was still snake-bitted by a lack of consistency and poor decision-making in the passing game. The second-year quarterback missed multiple receivers over the middle of the field for potentially huge gains. In addition, he still made decisions and reads that are not starting quarterback worthy; Wilson’s interception likely cost the Jets three points on a second-half drive, and he could have had two more if not for a drop and a miracle Michael Carter catch.
Despite his issues, Wilson gave the Jets a shot to win in the fourth quarter. And this played right into the team’s strength, as the Jets have wanted to rely on their defense to win close games. The unit was playing a bit worse than they have this season, desperately missing Quinnen Williams’s impact in the trenches. Yet, they had only surrendered 13 total points and zero offensive touchdowns until the last Lions’ drive.
The Jets’ defense then allowed a back-breaking 51-yard touchdown on fourth down and inches late in the fourth quarter. It effectively was the game-winning score, resulting from a busted coverage on a play-action pass. None of the Jets’ linebackers picked up Brock Wright, and the blitz could not get home, resulting in a free receiver darting through the Jets’ secondary. Poor angles and tackling on the secondary’s end turned a fourth-down conversion into the back-breaking touchdown.
These factors are included on top of the questionable time management by the Jets on their last drive of the game. The Jets inexplicably let over 20 seconds run off the clock after converting a first down to Garret Wilson, wasting a potential play or two that could have gotten them a closer field goal attempt to tie the game. Instead, the lack of using a timeout resulted in the Jets having to attempt a 58-yard field goal, which was ultimately missed.
Head Coach Robert Saleh spoke on Monday about being accountable after time management mistakes in a loss.
“I just think you need to be yourself and be truthful with everything. It’s not, as it relates to the statement, whether or not I preach that every day or not, it’s just who I am, and you just want other people to have that same type of mindset. I don’t think there’s anyone in this building who looks inward more than I do. The biggest thing you want to do is give your guys a chance to make plays and do your job, do your job to give everybody a chance to make a play and be the best version of themselves. In that situation, I definitely could’ve been better. As I said, I overthought it.”
The Jets Have Entered True Must-Win Territory After Sunday’s Loss
Saleh also spoke about Wilson and the offensive line’s performance, saying that Wilson “had a nice first half” and “got back on track and finished strong” in the fourth quarter. On the offensive line, Saleh said, “it’s got to be better.”
There are many what-ifs contained within this past Jets game. What if pass interference is called on Wilson’s throw to Jeff Smith at the end of the first half? What if Mike White and Quinnen Williams suit up? What happens if Corey Davis and Lamarcus Joyner are not hurt?
As crucial as those additions would have been against the Lions, that was not the Jets’ reality. Instead, they now have to fight for their playoff lives over their last three games. If the Jets win their remaining three games, they will most likely make the playoffs. Their destiny is still mainly in their own hands unless New England, who has the tiebreaker over them, also wins their remaining three games.
The Jets will not make the playoffs if they do not improve on the aspects that have plagued them this past week and in the weeks before. The offensive line needs to find the consistency it had earlier in the season and find a way to overcome the rash amount of injuries they have sustained. Zach Wilson needs to find more consistency in his decision-making and avoid the crushing interceptions when he plays quarterback. With or without Quinnen Williams, the defense needs to find a way to force turnovers and generate consistent pressure. If the Jets can truly learn from their mistakes and find consistency, they are still a tough out for any team that they face.
A red-hot and talented Jaguars team, led by an emerging Trevor Lawrence, is the next team on the Jets’ schedule. It is do-or-die, must-win territory for this team; the Jets need to treat this game like a playoff game.
And for all intents and purposes, it is. With one more loss, the Jets are essentially eliminated from playoff contention.
It has been a very encouraging and promising year for the Jets. They have shattered expectations and showed that they are a team on the rise in the NFL, no longer in the cellar that they have dwelled in for the better part of a decade. Yet, the Jets have an opportunity to show that they are playoff-ready this year. The team has demonstrated that they have the talent to win against almost anyone. With the chance to break one of the most prolonged playoff droughts in sports, the Jets have the opportunity to make this season special.
They just have to capitalize on their opportunity that starts against Jacksonville, something that they have failed to do in previous weeks. Most believe the Jets will be a real threat next season and beyond while counting them out for this season. But with their backs against the wall and the odds stacked against them, the Jets can show that the future is the present in their last three games.
It is not over until the final whistle is blown in football. The Jets are on their last stand, and no matter if they make the playoffs or not, it is guaranteed to be an exciting conclusion to the season.