WEEK IN REVIEW
The Jets fell just short in a thriller against their timeless foes from New England 30-27 in a somewhat moral victory and a victory for those who bet on the Jets to keep it close. Joe Flacco made some highlight throws early in the game, including a 50-yard bomb to Breshad Perriman. The Jets boasted a 10-point lead going into the fourth quarter, but couldn’t hold on in the end.
While the Jets offense had some sparks through some big plays by Perriman and Mims, they went completely stagnant by the end of the game. Their inability to sustain drives and get first downs gave the Patriots one-too-many opportunities to get back in the game.
NEWS OF THE WEEK
Adam Gase is still the head coach. As mentioned in previous weeks, this will be the main story until it is no longer the case. His latest excuse can be that the team went toe-to-toe with the Patriots, even though they fell short. The power dynamic in the front office, where GM Joe Douglas doesn’t outrank Gase on the organizational chart, unlike most organizations’ structure. Gase has too much power, and it’s likely that ownership will have to get involved in order the relieve themselves of his hinderance on the organization.
Rumors continue to circulate about Sam Darnold’s future with the Jets and it appears less likely that he will receive a 2nd contract from the team each week. The top pick in the NFL Draft is within their grasp. They could have their pick of the bunch between Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, and Trey Lance. Trade rumors were also rampant prior to the trade deadline, and there are a number of teams who believe they could succeed with Darnold at the helm.
THE WEEK AHEAD
The Jets are entering their bye week with a pivotal decision on their hands. Joe Flacco, who has never been and will never be “elite,” led New York to the closest point they have been all year to a win. Sam Darnold is also dealing with a shoulder injury that has flared up after believing it was healed. Darnold has also been the subject of multiple trade rumors and the Jets will be in position to pick one of the top quarterbacks in the upcoming draft. This leaves the biggest question of the week to be whether Sam Darnold will resume his place as the starting quarterback for the rest of the season or not.
Darnold, when healthy, gives the Jets the best chance to win every week, despite the lack of success they’ve had so far. Winning, however, might not be the best thing for the Jets’ long-term future. A Flacco start following the bye week would indicate two major decisions by the Jets’ front office. 1) They are officially tanking the season and hoping for as high of a draft pick as they can get in the upcoming draft. 2) Sam Darnold will likely be moved this offseason. Shutting him down to preserve his shoulder and trade value ensures that he will hold the most value on the trade market for his new team. We will be keeping a close eye on the Jets’ tea leaves to manage expectations for the rest of this season and beyond.
