In a somber evening at MetLife Stadium, the New York Jets suffered a narrow 10-9 defeat to the Denver Broncos in front of a home crowd. The Jets' latest loss has brought their record to an even 2-2 for the 2024 season, revealing a troubling trend that the team must address if they are to remain competitive.
Penalty Plague Strikes
The Jets' performance was overshadowed by a cascade of penalties, with the team committing an NFL-high 13 infractions during their Week 4 matchup. Alarmingly, eight of these were attributed to the offense, disrupting what had otherwise been a largely disciplined start to the season. "We got to figure it out. Whether or not we're good enough to handle or ready enough to handle all the cadence," said head coach Robert Saleh. "Cadence had not been an issue all camp."
Among the offensive penalties, five false starts stood out both in their frequency and their impact on the game. Left guard John Simpson and running back Breece Hall were each flagged for two false starts, while left tackle Tyron Smith added another. For a team that had only incurred one false start in the first three weeks, this was a stunning regression. "To have five today, it seemed like, four or five. Yeah, it seems like an outlier," said quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who underscored how uncharacteristic these mistakes were for the Jets.
Offense Falters Under Pressure
The penalties decimated the Jets' offensive rhythm, stifling drives that might have altered the outcome of the game. The offense already ranked as the second-most penalized unit in Week 4, just behind the Houston Texans' nine infractions. From Weeks 1 to 3, the Jets had only eight offensive penalties, tying for the 10th-fewest in the league. This sudden spike in penalties was a jarring anomaly that left both players and coaches searching for answers.
Former NFL linebacker Luke Kuechly chimed in on Rodgers' notorious hard count, which has been a strategic asset throughout his career. "He nailed it: 'my hard count is a weapon,'" Kuechly commented. Yet, this game saw the tactic backfire, adding to the Jets' mounting woes.
Missed Opportunities
Despite their struggles, the Jets had a golden opportunity to clinch victory with just 51 seconds left on the clock. Veteran kicker Greg Zuerlein lined up for a 50-yard field goal that would have put the Jets ahead. However, the kick sailed wide, sealing the frustrating loss. The disappointing finish magnified the earlier mistakes, making the missed field goal a symbol of a game that could have ended differently.
Rodgers and Adams on Accountability
Attention to detail has long been the hallmark of an Aaron Rodgers-led offense. Former Green Bay Packers receiver Davante Adams, who formed a formidable duo with Rodgers in Green Bay, emphasized the importance of pre-snap discipline. "Everybody hears the same snap count in the huddle, so there's really no excuse for one of these things," Adams noted. He argued that maintaining focus during critical moments is essential, and accountability is key to avoiding such lapses. "Holding people accountable, I agree (with Rodgers). Sometimes that's what you have to do versus run from it."
The Jets will need to heed these sentiments as they prepare to make amends in their upcoming games. The abrupt surge in penalties, coupled with the tight loss, has provided a stark reminder of how quickly things can unravel for a team. With the 2024 season still in its early stages, the Jets have time to regroup and correct course, but the margin for error is dwindling.