The work and faith that has been put into the New York Jets since the start of training camp have finally showed some dividends. Sunday’s win against the Miami Dolphins was a culmination of head coach Todd Bowles emphasis on improving the defense, on missed tackles and on correction of the mistakes the Jets had been making weekly.
“I think we can get better, and we will get better,” said Bowles after last week’s loss to the Oakland Raiders.
No declarations like that this week after decisively defeating the Miami Dolphins. Bowles didn’t have to identify a play that one of his players would like to have back—a do over. It wasn’t necessary for him to state the need for his Jets to keep working at getting better, shoring up their defense, although they still have to.
His directive? “We need to be fundamentally sound,” he said. “Get better at tackling. Get better at run blocking. Get better at protection. We have to catch balls. We have to get better at communication and coverage. It’s going to be the same all year.”
Communication and coverage will be key in the Jets’ home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday. The Jets are led by quarterback Josh McCown, 38, 11-of-14 for 198 yards, including a second-and-eight, 69-yard touchdown pass to receiver Robby Anderson, finishing off a three-play, 71-yard drive against Miami.
“Robby [Anderson] made a heck of a catch and score,” said McCown. “I think that’s good for us as we build.”
The Jets will have to play near flawless ball as they did Sunday to beat the Jaguars, who’re coming off of a 44-7 blowout win against the Baltimore Ravens Sunday, the NFL’s annual game in London, England.
“We definitely want to get on a winning streak,” emphasized Bowles. “Hopefully we can string some wins together and go from there.”
The Jets can’t get too ahead of themselves. They’re taking it day by day, game by game. There is no looking ahead.
Jacksonville will have to make provisions to assist their players in adjusting to the time change for Sunday. England is five hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. They’ll have to allot more time for players’ training, treatment and rest, in addition to preparing for this game.
