In a closely contested home game, the New York Jets experienced a heart-wrenching loss to the Denver Broncos, falling 10-9. This match highlighted some glaring issues for the Jets, both in terms of discipline and execution, particularly on the offensive side of the ball.
Penalties: A Major Setback
The Jets' inability to maintain composure led to 13 penalties, the highest number in the NFL for Week 4. Such a lapse in discipline significantly hindered their performance and momentum. Notably, eight of these 13 penalties were offensive, showcasing a troubling trend for the team.
The offense, in particular, found itself repeatedly hamstrung by penalties, with five attributed to false starts. This undisciplined play was uncharacteristic for the Jets, who only had one false start violation in the first three weeks of the season. What’s more, their eight offensive penalties from Weeks 1 to 3 had them tied for the 10th-fewest in the league during that span.
Key Offenders
Among those responsible for the false starts were left guard John Simpson and running back Breece Hall, each flagged twice. Left tackle Tyron Smith was also penalized once for the same infraction. The unusual surge in false starts drew sharp criticism and introspection from the team's leaders.
Head coach Robert Saleh expressed his dismay, stating, "We got to figure it out. Whether or not we're good enough to handle or ready enough to handle all the cadence. Cadence had not been an issue all camp. Felt like our operation had been operating pretty good. Obviously today took a major step back."
Rodgers' Perspective
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers highlighted the need for accountability and consistency, acknowledging a typically strong cadence system that faltered in this crucial game. "That's one way to do it. The other way is to hold them accountable. We haven't had an issue. We've only had one false start. [Right tackle] Morgan had one false start, I believe, until this. You know it's been a weapon. We use it every day in practice. We rarely have a false start. To have five today, it seemed like, four or five. Yeah, it seems like an outlier. I don't know if we need to make mass changes based on kind of an outlier game," Rodgers explained.
Rodgers’ insights point to a deeper challenge that goes beyond just this one game. The quarterback’s emphasis on the hard count as a "weapon" underscores his frustration with the breakdown in execution. Such sentiments were echoed by former NFL linebacker Luke Kuechly, who praised Rodgers for his precision in utilizing the hard count, citing significant plays that resulted from it.
Attention to Detail
The importance of attention to detail was further emphasized by former Green Bay Packers receiver Davante Adams, who played with Rodgers and understood the intricacies of this approach. "Aaron is all about the attention to detail. So, snap count, that's attention to detail. You got to be locked in on something like that. We always talked about in Green Bay 'that the play is hard enough to win on its own, so let's not lose it pre-snap.' ... At least let's get our pre-snap operation smooth. Everybody hears the same snap count in the huddle, so there's really no excuse for one of these things. Holding people accountable, I agree (with Rodgers). Sometimes that's what you have to do versus run from it. Have certain consequences if guys can't get right," Adams remarked.
A Missed Opportunity
The Jets had a chance to clinch the game when kicker Greg Zuerlein lined up for a 50-yard field goal with just 51 seconds left. Unfortunately, Zuerlein missed the go-ahead attempt, sealing the one-point victory for the Broncos. Despite the last-minute effort, the multiple penalties and missed chances defined the Jets’ setback.
The Jets now find themselves with a 2-2 record, having to regroup and address the discipline issues that marred their performance. With high expectations coming into the season, the pressure to rectify these mistakes looms large as they prepare for upcoming challenges.