It’s no secret the New York Jets have been incredibly ineffective on third down and in the red zone. The Jets are dead last in both categories by a considerable margin, about 10 percentage points. The Jets have a success rate of less than 25 percent in both categories.
Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett spoke with the media Thursday and addressed the woes in both areas.
“It’s unbelievably frustrating,” Hackett said. “But the only thing we know how to do is keep working. We’re trying to find what we do good but also always being willing to change and adapt based on what we have out there.”
Nathaniel Hackett on being historically bad on third downs/red zone: "It's unbelievably frustrating but the only thing we know how to do is keep working … we're trying to find what we do good, but also always being willing to change and adapt based on what we have out there."…
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) November 9, 2023
Hackett also said he believes players are “pressing,” which has contributed to the struggles on offense. Hackett isn’t blaming just one player.
“Too many self-inflicted wounds, too much inconsistency. Rinse, repeat, wash,” he said.
Takeaways from #Jets OC Nathaniel Hackett:
* On the historically bad third down/red zone: "Unbelievably frustrating."
* Players are pressing … not any one player's fault … too many self-inflicted wounds … too much inconsistency … rinse, repeat, wash.
* What is the…
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) November 9, 2023
A microcosm of those struggles came early in the third quarter of Monday’s loss against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Jets had a golden opportunity to pull within 17-10 and give themselves a chance. Instead, quarterback Zach Wilson was sacked on two straight plays, and the Jets had to settle for a Greg Zuerlein field goal to make the score 17-6.
With how the offense performed Monday, that 11-point deficit proved to be insurmountable. The Jets went on to lose 27-6 to fall to 4-4 heading into Sunday night’s trip to Las Vegas.
It’s certainly hard to say if the Jets will be able to quickly turn their fortunes around in the red zone and on third down, but they have to figure out something and fast. After the Raiders comes a key two-game stretch against the Bills and Dolphins that could very well determine New York’s fate in the AFC East.
