The New York Jets fell flat on Monday Night Football in Week 9, losing to the Los Angeles Chargers 27-6 at home. With the lopsided defeat, the Jets are now 4-4 on the season ahead of a matchup versus the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 10.
It was another week for the Jets where the offense failed to generate much and the defense did as much as it could to put the team in a position to win. The ending of the game was fitting for the Jets as Tyler Conklin caught a pass from Zach Wilson on a fourth-and-goal and he was stopped at the one-yard line in the final moments.
Following a forgettable outing at home, here are our immediate takeaways from the Jets’ disappointing loss to the Chargers.
Zach Wilson isn't showing any improvement in recent weeks
There were moments earlier in the season when Wilson was seemingly making improvements in his game. In the loss against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 4, there were legitimate flashes from the third-year quarterback.
But in recent weeks, the former No. 2 overall pick has resorted back to being a quarterback who is making crucial mistakes (four fumbles lost in the last two games). Wilson was sacked eight times by the Chargers and for the fourth time this season, he failed to throw a touchdown. The chances of making the playoffs are looking dim for the Jets if Wilson can’t make vast improvements quickly.
The offense line is struggling and the Jets don't have any answers
Some of the sacks the Chargers recorded on Monday night should be pinned on Wilson. At the same time, the offensive line has been an issue all season and the Jets are running out of solutions.
The Jets have deployed a variety of combinations due to injuries, and even Billy Turner was playing at right tackle in Monday’s loss. Even if Aaron Rodgers made a miraculous return, would this current offensive line unit be able to keep him upright?
When the run game isn't effective, what is the Jets' answer?
For the third straight game, the Jets didn’t have consistent success running the ball. Breece Hall has looked explosive again, but teams are stacking the box to dare Wilson to beat them through the air.
Hall and the Jets combined to run for only 64 yards on 20 attempts in the loss to the Chargers, with a long run of 10 yards. The Jets have been bailed out by long touchdown receptions by Hall in recent weeks, but he was unable to break loose versus the Chargers. When the ground game isn’t effective, the Jets aren’t an offense that is built to sustain drives through the air — and that could cost them a spot in the playoffs.
Someone else needs to step up at wide receiver
Garrett Wilson is undoubtedly the No. 1 receiver in New York’s offense. The second-year wideout has shown enough to cement himself as one of the best wideouts in the NFL, and he finished with a respectable seven receptions for 80 yards on 13 targets in Week 9.
While Wilson has been producing, no one else in the wide receiver room has been stepping up in the offense. It’s a multitude of problems leading to this as the talent just isn’t there, Nathaniel Hackett needs to improve, and Wilson hasn’t been performing well at quarterback. Maybe more designed plays for guys like Xavier Gipson moving forward?
There is only so much the defense can do each week
The Jets boast one of the best defenses in the league, and each week the defense has given the team opportunities to win games. New York has played a handful of talented signal-callers this season and the defense continues to shut them down.
The Jets have held Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Jalen Hurts, and Justin Herbert to a combined three passing touchdowns and eight interceptions through nine weeks. Herbert completed 16 of his 30 passes for 136 yards and he was sacked five times on Monday night. There is only so much the defense can do each week for the Jets and time is running out for the offense to get things figured out.
