On Sunday night into Monday, interim HC Jeff Ulbrich and the Jets took time to analyze the tape from the team's 25-22 loss to the Patriots earlier in the day Sunday. Ulbrich plans to evaluate "all three phases" to determine changes but plans to continue calling the defense ahead of their Week 9 matchup with the visiting Texans on Thursday night.
"It is still early but we are planning to look at everything humanely possible from the players to the coaches to all of it to see if there is anywhere that we can make a difference," Ulbrich said on Monday. "I am going to maintain play-calling of the defense for now. I am trying to create as much continuity on this coaching staff as possible and I believe that is the best thing for me to do as far as that's concerned."
The first and most notable change could come at kicker.
Greg Zuerlein had another uneven performance against New England on Sunday, going 1 of 2 on field-goal attempts, including a miss from 44 yards, and 1 of 2 on extra points. On the year, Zuerlein is 8-of-15 and 5-of-11 on kicks of 30-plus. The team plans to host a tryout at MetLife Stadium on Tuesday with several free-agent kickers.
"We are going to do what is best of the team," Ulbrich said. "We are going to have a good week of work. We are going to bring some guys in and have a competition and the best guy will play on Thursday."
As for the rest of the team, Ulbrich liked what he saw in "spurts," but did not see enough consistency.
On defense, the Jets held the Patriots to 247 total yards, their fewest since Week 4, and held New England conventional rushing attack, led by RB Rhamondre Stevenson, to 55 yards on 25 carries (2.2 YPC). The Jets struggled to the out-of-structure run plays, QB Drake Maye gashed them for 46 yards and touchdown in th first half.
And on offense, the Jets did a better job protecting the ball, going without a turnover for the first time since Week 3, and produced 3 touchdowns and a field goal in 4 red zone trips. In the end, however, the Jets punted beyond midfield twice and came away with points on 4-of-8 trips into plus territory.
"To do what is necessary to win in this league you have to play complementary football," Ulbrich said. "We did not get that accomplished yesterday in any phase. We had moments in all three phases where we played winning football, but it was just not consistent enough. That is not a formula for winning."
The Jets will also continue assess the team's injured players. Captain and linebacker C.J. Mosley dressed but did not play against the Patriots after sustaining a neck injury during warmups and his availability will be "up in air" pending further examination.
"We are still exploring options for [Mosley]," Ulbrich said. "They got some imagining done this morning and we are going to have a neck and spine specialist take a look at it and take it from there. There is still more information to gather."
WR Allen Lazard (chest) was inactive versus New England and will not participate in team the walk-through Tuesday. In addition, QB Aaron Rodgers (knee, hamstring), pass rusher Haason Reddick (neck) and RT Morgan Moses (knee) will be limited.
The Jets (2-6) have lost five straight games, and the plan is to get things right when they host the Texans Thursday night. The Texans (6-2) lead the AFC South and are coming off a 23-20 home win over the Colts.
"By the time I got back to the facility from New England last night, I was already on to the Houston Texans," Ulbrich said. "Trying to formulate a plan. Obviously with this being a short week, we have to keep it moving. We are putting the game to bed as quickly as possible, reflect on it and grow from it because we have to get going."
