Jets Crash & Burn in Disasterous Loss to Broncos

 BRONCOS 37 - JETS 28

As the late John McKay once said about his winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who had lost 26 consecutive games from 1976 to 1977, what he thought of his team's execution, he said oh-so modestly that he was "in favor of it."

That would have been about the only appropriate answer Jets Head Coach Adam Gase could give instead of giving the usual uncomfortable presser where he blamed injuries and lack of discipline for his team's defeat. Yet there he was trying to explain away a humiliating 37-28 loss to the Denver Broncos where his team committed 11 penalties, six of which were personal fouls. 

"We beat ourselves. The penalties are just ... they're brutal," Gase murmured during his post game presser. 

Yes, the Jets really did beat themselves. They beat themselves in every facet of the game on Thursday, particularly up front on both sides of the ball. 

The Jets offensive line was like a sieve, failing to protect quarterback Sam Darnold at all costs, as the quarterback spent almost the entire night scrambling around the pocket as if he was Michael Vick. Heck, Darnold even led the team in rushing with 84-yards on six carries, including a stunning 46-yard scamper to the end zone for the opening score of the game. 

Yet, Darnold spent more time on his back than anything else. He was even injured late in the first quarter when he was pile driven into the ground by Alexander Johnson. Many, including FOX lead color analyst Troy Aikman, thought Darnold may have done some damage to his collar bone, but alas Darnold returned after a series in the trainers room. 

Give Darnold credit, he tried to tough it out. He threw for 230 yards, and didn't turn the ball over once, but he had no help. No help from his receivers, except for Jamison Crowder, who was the only one to get open. No help from his offensive line, which couldn't protect him, and no help from his head coach who refused to run the football at all in a game where the Jets were either in the lead or within striking distance. 

On top of that the defense was plain awful. The Jets allowed third string quarterback Bretty Rypien to rip them apart for 242 yards through the air and two touchdowns. The rookie quarterback did throw three picks, including two for Pierre Desir, who also brought one back to the house for a Jets touchdown in the fourth quarter. 

 

However, Desir could have easily had three interceptions of Rypien had he not allowed the football to slip through his hands and into the mitts of Jerry Jeudy for a 48-yard touchdown completion that gave Denver a 10-7 lead with 13:09 to play in the second quarter. 

On top of that the personal fouls were ridiculous. It was an awful night for the Jets front seven, particularly Quinnen Williams who was flagged multiple times for roughing the passer. His worst offense came in the fourth quarter when he was flagged for a face mask on Rypien. The penalty gave Denver new life as Rypien moved them down the field for a go-ahead field goal to make it 30-28 with 3:08 to play. 

The Jets had one last shot to steal the game late, but on a fourth-and-three at midfield, Darnold scrambled to his right and was promptly sacked from behind, turning the ball over on downs. Inexcusable.  

The Broncos turned the Jets miscue into points when Melvin Gordon III hit the pile, bounced off, and dashed down the sideline for a 43-yard touchdown to ice it at 37-28. 

Fans hoping, thinking that the loss would spell the end of Adam Gase will have to keep dreaming. Earlier in the day on Thursday it was reported by NFL Network's Ian Rappaport that Gase's job was not in jeopardy even if the Jets had lost to Denver. After the game, the New York Post's Brian Costello confirmed that there would be no coaching change at this point. 

That is a complete reversal by the Jets, a week after there were hints that Gase would be heavily monitored during the Jets contest at Indianapolis last Sunday, and last night's game against the Broncos. 

The Jets stand at 0-4. They are the worst team in the NFL by a long mile. They have a quarterback who has regressed badly due to the lack of support around him, and the lack of accountability from the head coach. They are a rudderless ship with no leadership. 

While nobody ever roots for someone to lose their job, it is pretty clear that the Jets need a housecleaning with regards to their coaching staff. Adam Gase is now 7-13 as Head Coach. He is 1-11 in the first half of season's as Jets coach. (Remember they were 1-7 to start the 2019 campaign).

Gase has to go. 

So too does his Offensive Coordinator Dowell Loggains, as well as Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams - who is not getting through at all to his depleted unit. 

While the Johnson Brothers, particularly Chief Executive Officer Christopher Johnson, can tell the press until he is blue in the face that the Jets are trying to build a program, a NFL team can't possibly do that like this. This team needs discipline and accountability. 

Unfortunately in the NFL of 2020 where teams are hiring and recycling coaches every two or three years, hoping to find the next Bill Belichick or Sean McVay, the lack of quality head coaches is at an all time high. After Gase, who knows where the Jets go from here, but they need to go there, and go there soon. 

Rome is burning at 1 Jet Drive, and it is time for change. The Jets look like a team destined for 0-16. They play like it; they act like it. They hold their heads in embarrassment like it. Who knew that we would ever see a Jets team that was worse than the 1995 or 1996 New York Jets coached by Rich Kotite. If anything Gase is succeeding in getting Kotite off the list as worst coach in Jets history.