The New York Jets' hopes for a strong start to the 2024 season hit a significant roadblock as they endured a 10-9 loss at home against the Denver Broncos. This tight contest was marred by a series of self-inflicted wounds, namely an NFL-high 13 penalties committed during their Week 4 matchup.
The offense was the main culprit, accounting for eight of the 13 infractions, five of which were false starts. This stark uptick in penalties represented a major shift from the Jets' disciplined play in the first three weeks of the season, where they had only one false start and a total of eight offensive penalties, tying them for the 10th-fewest in the league.
An Uncharacteristic Performance
Head Coach Robert Saleh expressed his frustration and bewilderment post-game. "We got to figure it out. Whether or not we're good enough to handle or ready enough to handle all the cadence. Cadence had not been an issue all camp. Felt like our operation had been operating pretty good. Obviously today took a major step back," Saleh lamented. This sentiment was echoed by the team, as they struggled to explain the sudden spate of mistakes.
Veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, known for his precision and command, also weighed in on the unexpected number of false starts. "That's one way to do it. The other way is to hold them accountable. We haven't had an issue. We've only had one false start. [Right tackle] Morgan had one false start I believe until this. You know it's been a weapon. We use it every day in practice. We rarely have a false start. To have five today it seemed like, four or five. Yeah, it seems like an outlier. I don't know if we need to make mass changes based on kind of an outlier game," Rodgers noted. His remarks highlight the anomaly these penalties represented for a team that has prided itself on attention to detail.
Individual Struggles Contribute to Team Woes
The penalties were not isolated incidents but spread across key offensive positions. Left guard John Simpson and running back Breece Hall were each flagged for two false starts, while left tackle Tyron Smith contributed another. These infractions disrupted the Jets' rhythm and stifled their ability to sustain drives, contributing to their narrow defeat.
Former NFL linebacker Luke Kuechly and ex-Green Bay Packers receiver Davante Adams both emphasized the importance of accountability and attention to detail. "Aaron is all about the attention to detail. So, snap count, that's attention to detail. You got to be locked in on something like that. We always talked about in Green Bay 'that the play is hard enough to win on its own, so let's not lose it pre-snap.' ... At least let's get our pre-snap operation smooth.' Everybody hears the same snap count in the huddle, so there's really no excuse for one of these things. Holding people accountable, I agree (with Rodgers). Sometimes that's what you have to do versus run from it. Have certain consequences if guys can't get right," Adams remarked, underscoring the necessity for discipline at the professional level.
A Missed Opportunity and the Costs of Inefficiency
Adding to the Jets' woes, kicker Greg Zuerlein missed a crucial 50-yard field goal with only 51 seconds left in the game which would have given the Jets a lead and potentially the win. This miss, coupled with the penalty woes, paints a picture of a team that struggled to execute in critical moments.
The defeat leaves the Jets with a 2-2 record for the 2024 season, a stark contrast to what could have been a 3-1 standing had they managed to avoid such self-inflicted errors. The game against the Broncos not only highlighted areas of concern but also served as a sobering reminder of the thin margins that often separate triumph from disappointment in the NFL.
Moving forward, the Jets will need to address these lapses in discipline and ensure that their pre-snap operations are as finely tuned as possible. The road ahead necessitates not only physical readiness but mental fortitude, something that veteran leaders like Rodgers will undoubtedly stress in the weeks to come.