A WIN FOR A PRAYER
Still a glimmer of playoff hope for the Jets, but it starts by ending four-game losing streak
The 4-7 Jets are on a four-game losing streak and are 15th in the AFC standings with six games remaining.
But like Jim Carrey’s character in “Dumb and Dumber” said, “So you’re telling me there’s a chance?”
Gang Green’s postseason prospects are currently bleak. However, on Sunday afternoon, the Jets can improve those chances with a win against the NFC South-leading Atlanta Falcons (5-6).
“Coach Arthur Smith, I think he does a fantastic job,” Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich said about the Falcons. “There is a real identity to that offense. They’re going to be physical. They’re going to be committed to the run game.
“They’re not going to abandon it. It doesn’t matter how well you play it early, it’s going to keep coming and coming and coming. At the same time, they got some really good players. They got an offensive line from tip to tip that, in my opinion, is one of the better offensive lines in the NFL right now, and then you got three runners [Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeier and Cordarrelle Patterson] that are all unique in their own way, but all bring something really special to the table.
“It’s a tremendous challenge and for a defense that maybe has struggled against the run the last couple weeks, what a great opportunity to show ourselves who we are as a defense.”
The Jets received good news when Aaron Rodgers’ 21-day practice window was opened on Wednesday. The bad news is Rodgers isn’t close to being ready for football contact.
That means the Jets will have another week of Tim Boyle starting behind center. In last week’s 34-13 loss to the Dolphins on Black Friday, Boyle struggled after replacing the benched Zach Wilson.
He completed 27 of 38 passes for 179 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. That included a devastating Hail
Mary interception to Dolphins safety Jevon Holland for a 99-yard pick-six to end the second quarter. Boyle was also sacked seven times.
The Jets switched to Boyle hoping he could help improve an offense that’s scored just 10 touchdowns through 11 games. However, at times, Boyle looked worse than Wilson because he doesn’t have the same athletic ability. Also, his average yards per completion was 4.7, which is lower than Wilson’s (6.1).
Because of the Jets inept passing game, defenders have loaded the box to stop the run. That has affected Breece Hall’s production in recent weeks.
Since rushing for 177 yards in a victory against the Broncos on Oct. 8, Hall is averaging 30.3 rushing yards per game over the last six games. He also has just one rushing TD during that span.
It doesn’t help that the Jets have used eight different offensive line combinations this season.
“I think that fourth quarter, obviously, the score was not what we wanted,” Boyle said on what he could take away from the loss against the Dolphins. “We were moving the ball, we were finding completions. We were no-huddle and guys were catching the ball and we were seeing it well. And that’s something to build on, continuing to get completions. I want to see us run the ball well, I want to see us take some shots.
“It’s going to be a fun one. They [Falcons] have a good defense, but just continuing to build on the run game and just getting the ball out of my hands and into the playmaker’s hands just so they can make a move or two.”
Defensively, not everything is peachy with the Jets either. Earlier this season, the Jets defense was the catalyst for a 4-3 start after limiting top quarterbacks such as Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts.
But during the last two weeks, the Jets defense appears to have reached a breaking point. Gang Green has given up a combined 66 points in losses to the Bills and Dolphins.
More than that, the Jets rushing defense has been an issue since losing defensive tackle Al Woods (Achilles) for the season on Oct. 29. The Jets have allowed 146.4 rushing yards per game in their last five games.
Gang Green’s defense ranks 31st in rushing yards allowed per game (140.3). That’s terrible news because Atlanta’s offense is fourth in rushing yards per game (139.3).
Sauce Gardner will face his former University of Cincinnati teammate QB Desmond Ridder for the first time in the NFL.
The two helped lead the 2021 Bearcats team to a 13—1 record and an appearance in the national semifinals before losing to Alabama.
Ridder was reinserted as the Falcons starting quarterback after their bye in Week 11. He completed 13 of 21 passes for 168 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in the 24-15 win against the Saints last weekend.
“It’s just good to be able to share the field with him,” Gardner said about Ridder. “I’m looking forward to the challenge. A lot of good offensive weapons, running backs, receivers, tight ends, their O-Line is pretty good.
“They got guys all around and their defense is pretty good as well.”
Nothing is more dangerous than a team with their backs against the wall. This is the place where the Jets find themselves entering December.
With a win, the Jets’ slim playoff hopes remain alive with a chance for Rodgers to possibly return later this month. If the Jets lose, the playoffs would virtually be impossible and Rodgers may not return until 2024.
“The whole thing has been difficult, but I’m proud of the work I put in,” Rodgers said about the rehab process. “But it would be disappointing if we weren’t alive and I wasn’t able to come back.”