NO SAME OLD
Just like hitting the brakes when a pedestrian jumps out between parked cars, it’s a reflex to utter the phrase “same old Jets” when the New York Jets lose a game.
Last week, they blew a 10-point fourth quarter lead to the Green Bay Packers and lost 20-17 in OT. Earlier today, they scored 14 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to tie the Detroit Lions, only to give up a 4-play, 65-yard drive to lose 31-24.
While fans can lament the offensive play-calling and time management against the Packers, and the many missed tackles against Jahmyr Gibbs, the evidence clearly shows these are not your “typical” Jets.
Last season, the Jets were last in the NFL in point differential (-203) and turnovers (-19). There are still 14 games to go, but they are plus 6 in point differential and plus one in turnover differential.
The “same old Jets” would’ve folded the tent trailing by 14 in the fourth quarter, especially with three opening day starters out with injuries — WR AD Mitchell, WR Omar Cooper, and TE Mason Taylor. Instead, resilient QB Geno Smith put on a late show, completing 31 of 37 passes for 321 yards and 3 touchdowns. Both Garrett Wilson (107 yards on 10 receptions) and Kenyon Sadiq (105 yards on 7 receptions) went over 100 yards with a TD each.
It’s too early to make a declarative statement, but it’s not too early to notice a trend. And there’s nothing typical about the start of the 2026 season.
CONCERNS
Not everything is Peaches and Herb. Offensively, they are having an identity crisis, being exacerbated by their mounting injuries. They want to play smashmouth football to set up Smith for play-action, and control the time of possession. However, after a textbook opening game in Nashville, they have regressed each of the last two weeks.
- at Titans 152 rushing yards, 11 rushing first downs (38:46 TOP)
- vs Packers 67 rushing yards, 6 rushing first downs (37:40 TOP)
- at Lions 58 rushing yards, 5 rushing first downs (28:30 TOP)
How OC Frank Reich adjusts likely depends on the health of RB Breece Hall, LG Dylan Parham, and WR Garrett Wilson, all of whom left the Lions game with injuries. Something to look for next week against the Chicago Bears (Sunday, 1p ET, FOX-TV).
TANK TRACKER
I’m on record as saying I am not rooting for a tank job in 2026. The quickest path to contention is for this year’s team to stay competitive, and win enough games to ensure continuity with coaching, the front office, and the players.
However, the Green & White fanbase has the unique opportunity to root for the Jets to win, and the Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, and Indianapolis Colts to lose.
If the season ended today, the Jets would own:
- #6 overall (Packers)
- #8 overall (Colts)
- #10 overall (Jets)
As a reminder, Dallas owes the Jets the highest of its two first-round draft choices (Cowboys or Packers) from the Quinnen Williams trade, and Indianapolis owes its own first-round draft choice from the Sauce Gardner trade.
FOOT NOTE
I thought it would be interesting to review kicking stats for Nick Folk, Jason Sanders, and Trey Smack. If you follow me on social media — X, Bluesky, Facebook, or Instagram — you know that I was flabbergasted by GM Darren Mougey’s decision to a) let Folk go b) not draft Smack c) go into the season with Sanders as the Jets placekicker.
- Nick Folk (5-8 on field goals, 4-4 on extra points)
- Jason Sanders (5-6 on field goals, 5-5 on extra points)
- Trey Smack (5-6 on field goals, 5-6 on extra points)
While it’s too early to declare a winner, I would be remiss not to mention that Smack’s first game-winning field goal came against the Jets in OT.
ICYMI “New York Jets Season Outlook: Can They Take Flight Without a Safety Net?”