The New York Jets find themselves deep in the trenches of adversity as they navigate the 2024 NFL season with a 3-7 record. The recent Week 10 encounter against the Arizona Cardinals proved to be yet another arduous chapter in what has been a frustrating season for the Jets and their star quarterback, Aaron Rodgers.
Offensive Struggles Continue
In their clash against the Cardinals, the Jets were outclassed with a one-sided scoreline of 31-6—an outcome that encapsulates their ongoing struggles on both sides of the ball. Their offense could muster only 207 total yards, with Aaron Rodgers contributing 151 of those through the air. His performance, characterized by a meager 4.3 yards per pass attempt, marks the third-lowest in any game he has started with a minimum of 15 pass attempts. This efficiency—or lack thereof—underscores the broader offensive malaise besetting the team.
Despite the presence of Rodgers, who averages 225.8 passing yards per game this season, the team has yet to eclipse the 25-point threshold in a game. Davante Adams, brought in to reignite the passing game, managed just 31 yards on 13 targets against Arizona, underscoring the disconnect that still exists between potential and performance.
Persistent Defensive Weaknesses
Defensively, the Jets fared no better, yielding 7.1 yards per play to the Cardinals. This figure, combined with the 28 first downs surrendered, paints a picture of a unit struggling to provide any consistent resistance. As the losses pile up, the Jets find themselves two games behind the Denver Broncos for the AFC's seventh playoff spot, illustrating the waning possibilities of postseason contention.
Throughout the season, the Jets defense has allowed opponents to capitalize on their weaknesses, contributing to the team's negative expected points added per play, which currently sits at -0.07. These metrics serve as a stark reminder of the challenges facing the franchise as they attempt to reestablish themselves as credible contenders in the NFL.
A Season of Unfulfilled Expectations
Rodgers, who remarkably returned from an Achilles tear in 2023, has shown flashes of his storied brilliance. Despite posting a passer rating of 86.8 this season, the veteran quarterback has grappled with an average of 6.4 passing yards per attempt—numbers that, while respectable, have not translated into wins for his team. The seasoned playmaker shared his candid appraisal when asked about potential negativity in the locker room, responding, "Not really, not for the negative, no. Not really."
The Jets’ offensive inefficiency is mirrored in their scoring output, averaging only 17 points per game. Despite assembling a roster that, on paper, seems capable of more, the team has struggled to convert opportunities into tangible success on the field.
Seeking a Turnaround
The Jets’ remaining schedule provides precious little margin for error if they are to mount a serious bid for the playoffs. With each passing week, the urgency to find solutions grows more pressing. Rodgers, when asked about the possibility of turning things around, stated simply, "I think so, yeah." His words hint at a steely resolve to persevere despite the setbacks.
For head coach Robert Saleh and his staff, the path to redemption lies in recalibrating both schematics and player execution. The challenge will be to harness the latent potential within the roster to achieve the kind of synergy that has so far remained elusive.
The Jets’ faithful hope for a turning point that can serve as a catalyst for better days. As the season progresses, the question remains: Can this team find the spark it needs to transform its fortunes, or will 2024 be remembered as another year of unmet expectations?