Jets look to show round offense’s ineptitude on first down

The Jets’ offense spent an excessive amount of time going backward in opposition to the Jaguars final week, one thing that has been an issue for the unit all season.

They’ve been terrible on first downs this 12 months, and that has led to lengthy distances to go on third down which have stalled the offense. In opposition to the Jaguars, the Jets had penalties, sacks and runs for a loss on first down. Certain, Zach Wilson was not good, however it’s also exhausting to function when always going through third-and-long.

The Jets common 7.7 yards to go on third down this season, tied for worst within the NFL with the Patriots and Broncos. These are two offenses you don’t wish to be in the identical sentence as.

“Unfavourable performs on first down, they’re backbreaking,” head coach Robert Saleh stated. “It’s not unattainable to get out of, however for those who make a residing out of that, which has been a typical theme for us offensively, whether or not or not it’s penalties, [tackles for loss], sacks on first down, TFLs within the run recreation. You’re placing your self at such a drawback. It’s already exhausting sufficient to get 10 yards in three downs, not to mention 12 or 13 in two downs.

“So, yeah, being extra profitable on first down, making an attempt to get to third-and-manageable, we’re residing in third-and-longs. All of it’s all-encompassing, and simply to have the ability to keep on schedule, run the ball, get constructive yards — whether or not it’s 1, 2 or 3 — go the ball, and guarantee that the worst factor that occurs is incomplete. Effectivity on first down has bought to get lots higher.”

In opposition to the Jaguars, the Jets had six penalties, a sack on first down and a run that resulted in a loss that put the Jets “behind the sticks” in second- and third-and-long.

“We’ve bought to be extra environment friendly on first down. That’s fairly easy, proper?” offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur stated. “The extra third-and-manageable’s you could be in, the higher it’s going to be, the higher you may maintain drives. Not simply the Jacksonville recreation, but it surely’s felt like that for just a few weeks now. We bought to be higher. I bought to name higher performs. I bought to educate higher. We bought to educate higher, then we bought to execute higher to place our entire workforce in conditions the place we will get in these third-and-manageable’s and proceed to maneuver the ball.”

The Jets elevated QB Chris Streveler from the observe squad for the second straight week. Streveler changed Zach Wilson within the second half of final week’s loss to the Jaguars. … OT Cedric Ogbuehi was activated off injured reserve and positioned WR Jeff Smith on IR.