Despite all the offseason hype, the New York Jets’ first game of the 2024 season was more of the same as last season.
New York dropped their matchup against the 49ers in considerable fashion, losing by a score of 32-13. While there were some flashes of positivity on the offensive side of the ball, the 49ers easily plowed over the Jets’ defense. In a crucial year, the Jets dropped a clunker against a team that was supposedly in their weight class.
The offense shows signs of life
The offense showed more signs of life out of the two main units for the Jets.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers showed some rust, hesitating on some throws and being late on a throw that resulted in his only interception of the evening. However, he also showed some signs of the quarterback who could lead the Jets to many wins this season.
The quarterback connected with Garrett Wilson on multiple throws, including a leaping grab down the sideline early in the first quarter. The receiver looked just as dynamic as he did in training camp practices.
Aaron Rodgers. 🎯 Garrett Wilson. pic.twitter.com/fm3UoBvP44
— PFF (@PFF) September 10, 2024
Rodgers found Breece Hall on multiple throws throughout the game while also reestablishing his connection with Allen Lazard. After an early drop, the quarterback hit the veteran wideout on a touch pass down the sideline and a laser of a touchdown in the second half.
.@AaronRodgers12 deep ball to @AllenLazard TD❕
📺 #NYJvsSF on ESPN pic.twitter.com/5YA7S4kM8p
— New York Jets (@nyjets) September 10, 2024
On these passing plays, the offensive line held up for the most part. They did allow some pressure, but considering their opponent, they held up pretty well.
However, there were some issues. New York displayed the same personnel problems as last year, waiting until late in the 4th quarter to use Braelon Allen or get Tyler Conklin involved in the passing game. The offensive line got no push in the running game at all. The playcalling was also subpar, falling into the same “run, run, pass” pattern the team displayed for long stretches last season.
The Jets need to fix these issues quickly. However, it is only Week 1; New York will have plenty of opportunities to right the ship. It is not panic time, but it was a less-than-stellar beginning to the year.
The run defense shows little resistance
Arguably, the biggest issue for the Jets on Monday night was their run defense.
From the beginning of the game, Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers offense immediately punched New York in the mouth. Even without star running back Christian McCaffrey, they moved the ball at will; former UDFA Jordan Mason averaged 5.3 yards per carry and ran for 147 yards.
Whether it was outside zone, counter, or any other variation of a running play, Mason and the 49ers had space. The vaunted Jets’ defense was consistently blown off the ball and seemingly unable to make adjustments to limit the damage. Furthermore, New York’s constant missed tackles made contain runs turn into first downs and chunk plays.
Quite frankly, it was an embarrassing performance. The unit felt the loss of the departed John Franklin-Myers, especially on the edge of the defense. New York cannot perform this poorly again if it wants to be a contender; otherwise, it will be going nowhere fast in 2024.
Reddick’s absence is felt heavily
The run defense was not the only issue for the defensive line on Monday night.
In the passing game, the Jets could not get after the quarterback. Outside of a few pressures here and there, the Jets were stonewalled by the 49ers at every angle.
The numbers also supported this; offensive tackle Trent Williams did not allow a single pressure during the entire game. Seth Walder of ESPN also added that no Jet player had a pass rush win rate of over 10% at one point of the game.
49ers left tackle Trent WIlliams did not allow a single pressure tonight against the Jets on 33 pass blocking snaps.
It was Williams' first game without allowing a pressure since Week 3, 2022 (min. 14 pass blocking snaps).#NYJvsSF | @49ers
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) September 10, 2024
No Jets players have a PRWR over 10% thus far.
— Seth Walder (@SethWalder) September 10, 2024
Without Bryce Huff, John Franklin-Myers, Quinton Jefferson, and the hold-out Haason Reddick, the Jets could barely touch Brock Purdy. It is alarming that the unit was so poor, especially against a team that is supposedly in their weight class.
For starters, the Jets need to get Reddick in the building; their pass rush must be firing on all cylinders sooner rather than later. More importantly, though, the team needs production out of their younger players. If the 49ers game is a sign of things to come, the Jets’ defensive line could be the main reason they struggle in 2024.
Sauce mysteriously goes off the field
One of the standout performers for the Jets was their star cornerback, Sauce Gardner.
According to Seth Walder, Gardner allowed no receptions on two targets when he was the nearest defender. He also chipped in with a sack.
Sauce Gardner: 0 receptions allowed on 2 targets as the nearest defender over 25 coverage snaps, per NFL Next Gen Stats.
Plus a sack.
— Seth Walder (@SethWalder) September 10, 2024
However, the main story surrounding the cornerback was his mysterious absence during the game. After making a key tackle to stall out a 49ers drive, the star cornerback was off the field for around nine plays. During that period, quarterback Brock Purdy moved the 49ers down the field with ease, completing all six of his passes. Gardner soon reentered the game without the wider public knowing what caused him to exit.
Robert Saleh said after the game that Gardner was all good and was not dealing with an injury.
“He finished the half. He was trying to catch his breath. He was fine.”
Garnder also confirmed this in his postgame media availability.
“It was a tackle I made, and I just had to get my wind back. I just had to shake back. When I felt like I was good, then I went back on the field. There wasn’t anything other than that.”
While it was strange how the situation was conveyed on the broadcast, it is good that Sauce Gardner is healthy and not injured. New York will need him to continue to lockdown opposing wideouts in 2024.
Other notes
- Jamien Sherwood was flying around in the running game. He needs to improve in coverage, but he can still be an asset for the team on running downs as he fills out the rest of his game.
- Will McDonald rushed the passer well on a few reps. The Jets will need him to improve in the coming weeks of the season.
- Braeloon Allen continued to run hard when he got his touches late in the game. There is no reason he should not be utilized in short-yardage situations for New York.
Moving onto Week 2
Ultimately, the loss is not the end of the world. The Jets have plenty of time to right the ship and contend in 2024, and they have all the necessary talent to do so.
However, Monday night’s matchup highlighted some key issues. Whether it is playcalling, player usage, or the defensive struggles, the Jets are not as sound as they likely thought heading into the season.
The Jets have an excellent opportunity to rebound in Week 2 as they travel to Tennessee to face the Titans. If they lay another egg, though, the alarm bells may start to sound much earlier than anyone would like them to.
