The New York Jets' season came to an end on Sunday with the team defeating the New England Patriots for the first time in 15 games. The season that started with such high hopes when Aaron Rogers trotted out onto the field on Monday Night Football, crashed and burned just four plays in. As the game clock struck zero for the last time in the regular season, it is time we take a look back at the highs, lows and where this team currently stands.
Season High Point: Defeating the Eagles
This was an easy one to pick. Philadelphia was the best team in the NFL at the time these two teams faced off. The Jets were coming off a big road win against the Broncos and had also pushed the Chiefs to their limit two weeks prior.
New York’s defense forced Jalen Hurts to throw three interceptions and held Philly's offense to just 14 points. The turning point in the game was a late interception by Tony Adams setting up a game-winning run by Breece Hall. Hall burst through the line for an 8-yard touchdown completing an 11-point comeback for New York.
Season Low Point: 5-game losing streak
After beating both the Eagles and the Giants, Gang Green was flying high heading into a home Monday Night Football matchup against a struggling Chargers team. All week leading up to the game there was a buzz that maybe this team could make a run and Aaron Rodgers could return for the playoff push.
Little did fans know this was the beginning of the end for the Jets’ season. New York was outclassed that night, falling to the Chargers 27-6 with Zach Wilson being sacked eight times by the league's worst pass defense. It was the first domino to fall as the Jets would lose five straight games with losses to the Raiders, Bills, Dolphins and Falcons.
One final low point was Week 15 when they traveled to Miami for a revenge game against the Dolphins. Trevor Siemian came in for a benched Zach Wilson and neither of them could get any offense going against the Miami defense. What was worse, New York’s great defense did not show up at all, leading to a 30-0 blowout loss.
Final Thoughts:
The New Jets are in the same spot now as they were a year ago. The offseason will be more of the same this year as the team tries to hype up Aaron Rodgers and run it back. All indications are that the coaching staff will be back along with the GM and front office meaning no real changes are coming.
The Jets will have the 10th pick in this year's draft with needs being offensive linemen and receivers for next year. With Rodgers coming back, next year is a Super Bowl or bust year for the Jets once more. They have to go “all in” and risk their future to help Rodgers and the offense get to the elite level and make a run. This would mean trading picks for proven players (i.e. Devante Adams) and making sure this team is ready to go.
We all know the media hype and fan hype will be there during the offseason….heck it’s always there during the offseason but then reality hits. Lets see if next season is finally the year that Gang Green returns to the postseason for the first time since 2010.
