In a game characterized by penalties and missed opportunities, the New York Jets suffered a narrow 10-9 defeat to the Denver Broncos at home, leaving their record at an even 2-2 for the 2024 season. What could have been a turning point for the Jets instead highlighted a series of miscues and flagged plays that ultimately decided their fate.
Penalties Pile Up
The Jets committed an astonishing 13 penalties in their Week 4 clash, the highest for any team in the NFL. Notably, eight of these fouls came from the offensive side of the ball, reflecting a broader issue with discipline and execution. Head coach Robert Saleh was candid about the setback, especially given that the offense had only one false start in the first three weeks of the season.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers expressed a mix of bewilderment and resolve regarding the offensive penalties: "That's one way to do it. The other way is to hold them accountable. We haven't had an issue. We've only had one false start. [Right tackle] Morgan had one false start I believe until this. You know it's been a weapon. We use it every day in practice. We rarely have a false start. To have five today it seemed like, four or five. Yeah, it seems like an outlier. I don't know if we need to make mass changes based on kind of an outlier game."
False Starts: A Major Issue
False starts were particularly problematic for the Jets. Left guard John Simpson and running back Breece Hall were each flagged twice, while left tackle Tyron Smith also contributed to the tally with one false start violation. This sudden spike in errors was a stark contrast to their early-season discipline, where the Jets had only eight offensive penalties across the first three games, placing them among the top ten teams for fewest infractions in that period.
Rodgers, a seasoned quarterback known for his meticulous attention to detail, elaborated on the significance of the snap count: "Aaron is all about the attention to detail. So, snap count, that's attention to detail. You got to be locked in on something like that. We always talked about in Green Bay 'that the play is hard enough to win on its own, so let's not lose it pre-snap.' ... At least let's get our pre-snap operation smooth.' Everybody hears the same snap count in the huddle, so there's really no excuse for one of these things. Holding people accountable, I agree (with Rodgers). Sometimes that's what you have to do versus run from it. Have certain consequences if guys can't get right," explained former Packers receiver Davante Adams.
The Decisive Moments
Aside from the penalties, the game's outcome hinged on a critical moment in the final minute. Kicker Greg Zuerlein had the opportunity to clinch the win for the Jets with a 50-yard field goal attempt. However, with just 51 seconds remaining, Zuerlein's kick missed the mark, sealing the Jets' defeat.
Saleh acknowledged that the offensive mishaps took the team a "major step back," noting that cadence had not been an issue during training camp. "We got to figure it out. Whether or not we're good enough to handle or ready enough to handle all the cadence. Cadence had not been an issue all camp. Felt like our operation had been operating pretty good. Obviously today took a major step back," he said, reflecting on the unexpected lapse.
Moving Forward
The Jets' woes against Denver underline the thin margins that can make or break an NFL game. While their defensive effort was commendable, holding the Broncos to just 10 points, the offensive side of the ball showed vulnerability that needs immediate addressing. The false start penalties not only stifled the Jets' drives but also presented an uncharacteristic flaw in a unit led by an experienced quarterback known for his precision.
"He nailed it: 'my hard count is a weapon.' The amount of big plays, go ask Jordy Nelson. 'Hey Jordy, do you think the hard count that Aaron Rodgers has is effective?' He would say, 'Yeah, I got paid a lot of money on go balls that Aaron threw me after a defensive lineman jumped offsides,'" former NFL linebacker Luke Kuechly commented, illustrating the potential and pitfalls of Rodgers' cadence.
The Jets must now regroup and refocus, ensuring that such mental lapses don't define their season. Addressing these issues head-on, as suggested by Rodgers and Adams, might be the first step in turning their ambitions into reality.