The Jet Dilemna

At 3-6 the Jets are sinking out of the playoff picture. Quickly. Rapidly. Maybe justly. Inefficiency and mistakes have made this a season to forget. What made the promise of September fade in November (they didn’t even make it to Thanksgiving)?

The quarterback situation is first and foremost as a problem. Ryan Fitzpatrick hasn’t played well (that’s an understatement). Interceptions late in games (9 in the 4th quarter) are not the mark of a veteran quarterback. Many of his mistakes could be attributed to the young core of receivers on the team after the loss of Eric Decker for the season. Quincy Enunwa has emerged as a viable target and Brandon Marshall is there, but what about the tight end? There have been FOUR receptions by Jet tight ends this year. So much for a safety valve. Give Fitz some help. His talent level is not at a point where he can make up for the deficiencies.

On the other side of the ball, the run defense has been great, the pass defense, not so great. Sack and turnovers are game-changers. The Jet defense has come up with too few of them. Seven sacks in the first game, nine sacks for the next eight games. That would mean there has been very little pressure on the quarterback. That could tie into the next number – 6 interceptions. Throw in two recovered fumbles and you don’t have a winning recipe. The defense has to pick up the offense sometimes. See Ryan, I got your back man.

Todd Bowles team is on the outside of the playoff picture. In addition to the problems on the field, Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson had to be disciplined for actions off the field. They’re two of the leaders on the defense and the fact that Bowles had to bench them is not a good sign. It’s a team game and everyone has to be on board through the tough times. They’re not out of it yet. They’re not in it either.

The Guru speaks

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