One reason the New York Jets fired Robert Saleh was their consistently slow starts in games. With the switch to Jeff Ulbrich, though, that has flipped on its head, at least through two games.
From Weeks 1-5, the Jets ranked 24th in the NFL with 2.8 points scored per first quarter and 8.2 points scored per first half. They trailed at halftime in three of the five games, including by multiple scores twice. They improved to 12th in the third quarter with 5.2 points per game and 17th with 10.8 second-half points per game.
Since Ulbrich took over, the opposite has taken place. The Jets have scored 32 points in the first half over the last two weeks and just three points in the second half. They trailed the Bills 20-17 at halftime and led the Steelers 15-13. They managed just a field goal against Buffalo in the second half (keeping it close because their defense allowed only a field goal, as well) and were shut out by the Steelers.
Some quotes from Jets press conferences indicate there was a palpable sense this would happen. Although Aaron Rodgers accused the team of a lack of energy before the game even started, Ulbrich admitted he sensed it at halftime. Joe Tippmann echoed the sentiment.
Until the Steelers game, the Jets’ defense showed an ability to adjust at halftime. They allowed 11.0 points per game (13th) in the first half but 7.0 per game in the second half (5th). That was seemingly a credit to Ulbrich.
However, if Saleh deserved blame for the team coming out flat, Ulbrich deserves blame (along with play-caller Todd Downing) for the Jets’ inability to keep up momentum after halftime. Against Pittsburgh, they came out with a plan to get the short passing game going, which initially worked. While the Steelers adjusted to that plan, the Jets did not counter with any changes, and their offense stagnated.
Peyton Manning claimed there is no such thing as halftime adjustments. Perhaps it is not about halftime changes so much as game-planning for different scenarios, anticipating defensive adjustments, and having counterpunches ready.
It is difficult to draw any conclusions from a two-game sample. But the Jets’ pace of 16 points per first half and 1.5 per second half is certainly startling. Ulbrich and Downing will need to craft a game plan predicated on switching up in-game tendencies rather than sticking with one plan throughout.
Otherwise, predictability will remain an issue for the Jets even if they seemingly make other offensive adjustments.
