For a long time, the New York Jets have struggled to produce consistently on offense, with lackluster quarterback play at the forefront.
This year, though, it has been a little different. Geno Smith’s improved play under center, along with the emergence of New York’s skill position players, has made the unit at least somewhat respectable this year compared to prior seasons.
While Sunday’s loss to the Miami Dolphins was embarrassing and should seal Aaron Glenn’s fate, the offense isn’t to blame.
Jets’ offense looked good vs. Dolphins
The Jets’ offense did their job on Sunday. In Week 7, they ranked second among NFL teams in EPA per play (0.267) and success rate (51.9%). That’s more than enough for a team to win most games.
Braelon Allen rushed for over 100 yards, wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. eclipsed 100 receiving yards, and Smith completed over 75% of his passes for 287 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception.
If the Jets’ outcome depended on offensive production, Sunday almost certainly would have been a win. However, the unit wasn’t particularly perfect. There were some moments where they needed to be better.
For example, while trailing 21-14 in the fourth quarter on Sunday, the Jets faced first-and-goal from the one-yard line. After two stuffed runs and a third-down sack, though, the team was forced to settle for a field goal.
That’s simply inexcusable. They needed a touchdown in that situation, and it would have tied the game. The play calls were also questionable: two straight runs up the middle, and, most puzzlingly, a fullback dive to Andrew Beck on the first play of the series.
Once again, Frank Reich made some confusing decisions as the Jets’ play caller. He deserves credit in certain areas, though, like incorporating more play-action attempts for Smith.
After Smith thrived on play-action a week earlier, Reich used it more on Sunday, and for the most part, it worked. Reich called play action on 36.4% of Smith’s dropbacks, and the QB completed eight of 10 passes in such situations (80%) for 112 yards (11.2 yards per attempt), including a 50+ yard bomb to Cooper on the first drive of the game.
While Smith threw his lone interception on a PA attempt, it was more successful than not for the offense, and Reich’s adjustment this week was promising.
Overall, the offense wasn’t the main reason the Jets lost. The defense struggled to get off the field when stops were desperately needed, and Jason Sanders missed a field goal in a game ultimately decided by three points.
Even if the Jets snuck away with an ugly win, it wouldn’t have felt great against a team that entered the game without holding a lead this season, but it would have kept the season alive.
Now, though, because of a loss, the hopes of a competitive season at 2-5 are pretty much over. That will lead to plenty of finger-pointing across the entire roster, but at the end of the day, the offense deserves much less criticism than the defense for this particular defeat.
The Jets’ offense has looked competent for much of the season, and the strong play from their young weapons is meaningful for the long term, but it would be nice to see the team figure out how to turn these showings turn into victories.
