The Jets’ chances of getting the No. 1 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft are still high after losing to the Miami Dolphins 31-24 on the road this past Sunday. With three games left before their long off-season begins, they are 3-11 and have the third worst record in the league.
On Wednesday it was learned that their head coach, Robert Selah, tested positive for COVID-19 and may be out for Sunday’s game at MetLife Stadium versus the 2-12 Jacksonville Jaguars. Including four practice squad players, the Jets have 14 players on the NFL’s reserve/COVID-19 list.
This season has been another of hope and promise unfulfilled. With a new head coach and rookie quarterback in second overall pick Zach Wilson, the Jets have made no progress in the standings and little development of the key young players––especially Wilson.
The Dolphins, with their second year QB Tua Tagovaiola making small strides, have won seven games in a row and are 7-7. Leading 17-10 at halftime, the Jets’ defense couldn’t stop their opponents’ offense in the second half, giving up three touchdowns, while the offense couldn’t keep the momentum it had in the first half.
“We just could never get anything going,” said Saleh. “If you want to get drives going, you got to be good on third down and extend drives, and that’s just something we weren’t doing in the second half.”
The Jets went from 13 first downs in the first half to just three in the second. The offensive line had too many breakdowns in the final two quarters, giving up five sacks after allowing only one in the first half.
Two defensive plays were key for the Jets in keeping them competitive. A first quarter interception by safety Ashtyn Davis and one by rookie cornerback Brandin Echols in the fourth that he returned for a touchdown.