There is a lot going wrong for the New York Jets right now. Their offense went two straight games without a touchdown, their owner is calling out the quarterback position, and they are dealing with a rash of injuries.

But as bad as Sunday’s 13-6 loss to the Carolina Panthers was, there is a slight positive spin that the Jets are starting to push.

The defense, a cause for concern during the first month of the season, has gotten back to being among the elite units in the league over the last couple of weeks.

“As these guys continue to play together, as they continue to understand the scheme that (Steve) Wilks is putting in, I think these guys are getting a lot more confident in what we’re doing and what their job is,” head coach Aaron Glenn said. “I think that’s a huge component of the defense getting better, and I expect those guys to continue to get better.”

The Jets have held their last two opponents to 13 points per game and 4.3 yards per play, while performing much better in the tackling department compared to the first five games.

New York’s defensive captain has enjoyed one of the unit’s starkest individual turnarounds.

A key part of the team’s struggles to begin the year, linebacker Jamien Sherwood is coming off his best game.

Jets’ captain shines

It seemed like the pressure of being a captain for the first time and signing a hefty contract extension weighed on Sherwood through the first month of the season. Glenn acknowledged that the former Auburn product was trying to “do too much” at one point.

Things have slowed down for the 25-year-old.

“There have been plays throughout this season that I haven’t been good for my teammates,” Sherwood said on Monday. “Just doing whatever I can to be better in those moments, in these games, doing whatever I can for us to come up with a win.”

Sherwood was good enough on Sunday to help guide the Jets’ defense. He recorded 10 tackles (two for loss), two quarterback hits, a pass deflection, and even his first sack of the season. His 72.3 Pro Football Focus grade from Sunday highlighted the improved play.

It’s taken a bit, but the young linebacker is starting to show signs of living up to his contract.

Because of that, he’s showing his importance to the organization.

Sherwood’s importance

It isn’t hyperbole to say Sherwood was struggling mightily to begin the season. The rest of the defense, as a result, was just as poor. Since the game has slowed for Sherwood, though, the defense has come through with quality performances in each of the last two outings.

Fifth-round rookie linebacker Kiko Mauigoa has played well since he was thrust into the starting lineup, the secondary is more aligned, and the entire defense looks to be getting in sync.

Sherwood believes there’s a reason for that: trust.

“I feel like when we went to London, that was a big step for us, just being able to be around each other, understand each other, and again, just putting our trust in each other,” he said. “I don’t have to do this because I know my brother’s going to do his job, and that’s been the big focal point for us.”

The wins aren’t there right now for the Jets due to factors outside of the defense’s play.

At the very least, though, it would be a positive for the franchise moving forward if Sherwood can sustain his improved play.