QB Disparity And Poor Coaching Send Jets Crashing Into Bye Week, A Familiar Refrain
Jets quarterback Zach Wilson has miles to go in his development to get within the zip code of Matt Ryan, the Falcons signal caller who surpassed 5,000 career completions and passed the Giants Eli Manning for eighth place on the NFL all-time passing yards list during Atlanta’s 27-20 victory in London on Sunday.
Ryan’s superiority was evident from the opening kickoff, as he toyed with a Jets defense despite missing his top two receivers, including second team All Pro Calvin Ridley. The Jets never could stop Ryan when it mattered, allowing numerous third-down conversions even in situations usually advantageous to the defense. Only a pair of fumbles just outside the red zone prevented the Falcons from really running it up.
Wilson, meanwhile, struggled with his processing, poise and accuracy, a disappointing comedown following what looked like a breakthrough performance in the previous week’s win over Tennessee. Some of the misses, especially on short throws, were inexcusable. Of Wilson’s 192 passing yards, 127 came during the Jets’ last two drives when down by multiple scores and the Falcons were playing softer coverages. His interception, his league-leading ninth of the season, was on a poorly-timed throw and he had opportunities to get rid of the ball to avoid both sacks he took. Bottom line: Wilson has to be better to give the Jets a chance in these games.
Outside of the huge disparity in QB play, however, the next biggest difference between the two teams on Sunday was on the sideline, which is kind of ironic, since it was possible that the roles for Jets Head Coach Robert Salah and Falcons counterpart Arthur Smith could have ended up reversed back in January when they each conducted interviews with both teams for the respective open positions.
Atlanta went with Smith, a play-caller who made his bones by resuscitating quarterback Ryan Tannehill’s career in Tennessee. Smith used motion, play-action, and smart route combinations to scheme his remaining playmakers open. Saleh admitted after the game that Smith outfoxed him on several occasions, zigging when Saleh’s defense was playing them to zag.
Then there was Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur. As I’ve ranted about often, he once again came out with that commitment to run the ball for three-or-four yards per carry in two-tight-end formations. The more I watch this team, the more convinced I am that he’s not the guy.
The Falcons entered the game allowing opposing QBs to complete 70.5% of their passes, the fifth-worst rate in the league. Injuries plagued their secondary, especially at slot corner. So, Mr. LaFleur, please explain to me why your slot receiver Jamison Crowder played just 11 of the Jets’ 23 offensive snaps in the first half? Or why Keelan Cole played only 10? It’s no mystery why the Jets always stumble out of the gate, this time falling behind, 20-3, by halftime. LaFleur is stubborn.
Unfortunately, LaFleur wasn’t the only coaching staff member to have a bad day. Whether it’s Saleh or defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, the decision to allow the experienced Ryan to sniff out mismatches in zone blitzes has to go down as a “Bad Idea Jeans” moment, if you can get the old “Saturday Night Live” reference.
Near the end of the first quarter, Ryan saw that highly-skilled rookie tight end Kyle Pitts had a one-on-one at the goal line. The Jets player who was responsible for the coverage was none other defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers, whose contract was extended for big money last week for his ability to rush the passer, not to cover in space. It was not a fair fight.
After yet another Jets three-and-out, Ryan drove his team into the red zone again, and once more targeted one of his tight ends on a Jets edge rusher, with Hayden Hurst ditching Bryce Huff to waltz into the end zone on a 17-yard touchdown hookup. Fool me once…
As for game management, let’s not ignore Saleh’s decision to punt in the third quarter on a fourth-and-five from Atlanta’s 45-yard line when trailing by two scores. According to those who measure win probability, the 1.5% numeric drop in the Jets chances might not seem like much, but that’s because New York only had a 12% chance to prevail before the decision was made. Opting not to go for the first down further knocked the Jets’ odds of winning down by 12.5% from the moment, which is significant.
Saleh, being a defensive-oriented coach, always believes his defense will get him the ball back. They did, but never with an opportunity to tie or take the lead. Meanwhile, the clock dripped down, even during New York’s final touchdown drive midway through the fourth quarter that cut the deficit to 20-17. Six plays (including two plays stopped by penalties) took 2:35. Urgency, anyone?
Of course, Atlanta then marched right down the field for a touchdown to put the game away, converting a third-and-13 along the way, sending New York crashing into its bye week at 1-4.
For the thousands who trekked across the pond to cheer on the Jets this weekend, I hope other sights washed out the garbage that you witnessed at the game. For me, it’s beyond tiresome, re-writing the same postscript almost every week about bad QB play, lousy coaching, and the misery that comes with the utter absence of hope.