The Jets are in the charitable spirit of giving. They give up points to opponents generously and abundantly; 54 to the New England Patriots in Week 7, 45 to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 9, and 45 to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
The loss to the Bills put the Jets at 2-7. They started the game with optimism, but it was quickly doused. The Bills scored 10 first quarter points and took a 17-3 halftime lead. At 10:47 of the third quarter, Buffalo running back Matt Brieda scored on a 15-yard touchdown run to add on to the rout, making it 31-3. The final score of 45-17 was formality.
The Jets helped the Bills by committing a season-high five turnovers. Quarterback Mike White, who had given the Jets some hope in strong showings filling in for starter Zach Wilson, threw four interceptions. Wilson is working his way back from a sprained PCL in right knee suffered against the Patriots on Oct. 24. The defense allowed their division rival Bills, who are 6-3 and lead the AFC East, 139 rushing yards and 366 passing. Bills QB Josh Allen was 21-28 with two touchdowns and one interception.
“Ever since that bye week [Week 6], we haven’t been nearly as good as we have wanted to be,” said Jets head coach Robert Saleh. “We have eight games left and from coaches to players, we have to find a way to get better every day. Otherwise, you’re selling yourself short.”
Both embarrassed and angry with their play, Jets defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins was clear in expressing the Jets’ failures.
“Our job is to go out there and stop people, and we haven’t done it over the last few outings, so for us, yeah we’re embarrassed, because it’s not our standard,” explained Rankins.
“I think to a man, we understand the kind of players, the kind of men we have in that locker room that line up on defense for us. Every man should be embarrassed. Every man should be angry, but at the end of the day, those are our brothers we have to go to war with.”
In actuality, the Jets’ war is within. It’s their battle to get healthy, become competitive and to post some wins. Their next opportunity is Sunday against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium.