MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Jets lost 32-26 in overtime to the Dolphins on Sunday, their fourth consecutive loss and ninth in 10. Here are my impressions and thoughts on the game:
1. The Jets have had a terrible time visiting South Florida the last few years. In last week's Post Sports+ newsletter, we detailed the conference going back to 2016. The last time the Jets won here was in 2014, when Rex Ryan was the last Jets coach.
It's been a while.
Its strange history goes back even further. Being in the visitors locker room in Miami always brings back memories. In 2013, this is where John Idzik and Woody Johnson gave a vote of confidence to Ryan to return in 2014. A year later, with layoffs impending, we kicked Johnson and Idzik out of the building.
But the trip to Miami that was really on my mind after Sunday's game was in 2011. You remember that, right? It was the final game of the season, Santonio Holmes fought with a teammate in the huddle, and the Jets lost 19-17.
This loss eliminated the Jets from the playoffs. The Jets made back-to-back appearances in the AFC Championship Game but missed the playoffs, a great end to a disappointing season.
The locker room after the game that day was angry. There was anger at Holmes, but there was also anger at the way the season was going. LaDainian Tomlinson, who played in his final game that day, spoke at length to reporters, detailing what he thought the Jets needed to change in order to be successful.
The problem was that it felt like a temporary setback. The Jets missed the playoffs with an 8-8 record, but the feeling that day was that they had a good core and could make some changes and get back to the playoffs next year.
Fourteen years later, the Jets were eliminated from playoff contention in the same building. But this time it happened in Week 14, so there wasn't much anger in the locker room after the game (apart from maybe Garrett Wilson). This team is 3-10 and has accepted who it was a while ago: a team lacking leadership, cohesive play and killer instinct.
It's shocking that the playoff drought is 14 years. Think about how many bad organizations there are in the NFL: the Jaguars, Panthers, Browns, Commanders, Raiders, to name a few. And they all made the playoffs more recently than the Jets.
It defies logic that a team could be this bad for so long. Since that day in 2011, the only time they've come close to making the playoffs was in 2015, when they suffered another heartbreaking loss in the final game against Buffalo.
The drought has now reached a lifespan of its own, and whoever takes the GM and coaching jobs next had better realize that. Aaron Rodgers was asked about the drought after the game and said that even though he's only been a starter for a year, there is a drought in the organization and that's where the fan frustration stems from. So even if a player or coach has only been here for a short period of time, their anger comes from 14 years of mostly bad football and may feel disproportionate to what's happening in any given season. do not have.
2. There are so many factors why the Jets are losing this season, but their defense continues to be weak. This unit was expected to be among the best in the NFL this year. Statistically yes, but anyone who actually watches the game knows this is not the case.
This is a group with zero influence. He had two interceptions this season, but none in nine weeks. On Sunday, Tua Tagovailoa threw 47 passes and had no sacks or quarterback hits. Think about it. 47-0. Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said it was because Tagovailoa took the ball out of his hands too quickly. Well, that's not enough coverage. The Jets could have let him hold the ball for at least one play to allow for a pass rush at home.
Then there's the late-game collapse. When the Dolphins made the kickoff return late in the fourth quarter, we knew they were going to kick a field goal. In overtime, we knew the Dolphins would run down the field.
The Patriots, Colts, Seahawks, and Dolphins all took the field late in the game to beat the Jets.
This group has remained the same since manager Robert Saleh was sacked on October 8th. The pass rush is inconsistent. They commit penalties at the worst possible times. It was one that was written into this season as a matter of course. In fact, it has become a big problem.
3. OK, enough doom and gloom. If you're looking for a positive from Sunday's game, the two rookie running backs looked good. Braylon Allen and Isaiah Davis formed a great duo, but Breece Hall was sidelined with a knee injury. They did well running (83 total yards) and catching passes out of the backfield (4 catches, 65 yards).
The Jets could have a great backs trio next year with Hall and these two. A creative offensive coordinator should be able to find a way to utilize all three.
4. We're in tank season, and fans of bad teams dream of getting to the top of the draft and acquiring their franchise quarterback. Next week's game against the Jets is a warning that that's not necessarily the answer. The Jets and Jaguars will face off in a meaningless game (other than draft position) between two teams with 3 wins and 10 losses, pitting Aaron Rodgers against quarterback Mac Jones.
It wasn't supposed to be this way. Both teams are 1-2 in the 2021 NFL Draft, with Jacksonville taking Trevor Lawrence and the Jets taking Zach Wilson. Neither choice worked. Lawrence is out with a concussion and still has a chance to be a long-term starting quarterback, but he hasn't lived up to his pre-draft compensation. Wilson is currently the No. 3 quarterback in Denver. Both coaches who drafted quarterbacks were fired.
So while it's fun to dream that your team finds an answer at the top of the draft, remember that it's not guaranteed.
reveal status
The Jets have lost five games this season when they led in the fourth quarter. According to ESPN, this is the most in franchise history.
Amazing number of snaps
Michael Carter II played only 12 snaps (17%). Carter has been plagued by back injuries this season and was placed off the injury report last week. This appears to be due to the coach's preference for Isaiah Oliver (22 snaps) at nickel.
game ball
Garrett Wilson showed why the Jets need to make extending their young wide receiver a top priority no matter who they hire as GM. Wilson played primarily against Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who had seven catches for 114 yards. Wilson is a building block for the Jets.
