If there ever was a team ready to exorcise some demons, it is the New York Jets. After a 2-1 start, the Jets enter their Halloween home contest against the Houston Texans (6-2) on a five-game slide — four of those defeats were decided by a total of 13 points. Now after a short week, they'll have to find a way to respond to their latest bout of adversity, a 25-22 heartbreaker in New England, that left interim HC Jeff Ulbrich and players searching for answers.
"We're not executing like we're capable of executing, and until we do that, this thing will not change," Ulbrich said. "So, we've got to get better in all that we do when it comes to performing the plays and performing the techniques, performing all the base principals that we know and we own at the deepest level, so that's got to get better."
Not Consistent Enough
Since the Jets' 24-3 Thursday night thrashing of the Patriots in Week 3, the Jets can't point to one reason for their collective struggle.
"Guys to be a consistent team in this league and to do what's necessary to win we need to play complementary football. We did not get that accomplished yesterday in any phase," Ulbrich told reporters on Sunday following the Jets' loss at New England. "Had spurts in all three phases where we played winning football, but just not consistent enough and that's not a formula for winning, especially consistent winning, so we got to be better in all three phases."
The Jets rank No. 25 in scoring offense (18.8 yds/g), No. 23 in pass yards/play (6.15) and No. 29 in rush yards/play (3.89). But QB Aaron Rodgers, who's dealt with knee, ankle and hamstring ailments, has had success throwing Garrett Wilson's way of late. Wilson, second in the NFL in receptions with 51, has had 100-plus yards receiving in three of the past four contests. And RB Breece Hall, who is No. 8 in the league in yards from scrimmage with 744, has produced a league-high 390 yards from scrimmage in Weeks 5-7. Tight end Tyler Conklin has TD catches in consecutive games and WR Davante Adams has had 7 catches in his first two games in green and white.
Defensively, the Jets remain top five – No. 2 pass yards/game (161.1), No. 4 in total yards (286.9) and No. 4 in sacks per pass attempt (10.27%) — in several categories, they're No. 25 in takeaways (6). And with a chance to close the door last Sunday in Foxborough, the Jets allowed a 70-yard drive led by backup QB Jacoby Brissett and dropped a game in the final seconds.
"I feel like we're finding ways to lose because like I said we have a talented roster," CB D.J. Reed said this week. "[GM] Joe Douglas has put together a talented team. I think that's the frustrating part — just figuring out why are we not finishing games."
'Getting the Taste Out Your Mouth'
With close games the norm, the Jets have also been plagued by special team miscues. They signed two kickers to the practice squad this week after Greg Zuerlein, who hit on 9-of-15 field-goal attempts this season, had a 44-yard misfire in New England in addition to a failed extra point. He is, headed to Injured Reserve with a knee injury. In a microcosm of how things have gone for the Jets of late, Xavier Gipson had a 40-yard punt return in New England that resulted in no points while the Green & White allowed a 63-yard Marcus Jones punt return that set up a touchdown.
The Jets will return to the field against the Texans after a short week of preparation, looking to head into the mini-bye with their first win since Sept. 19.
"It's a fantastic thing as far as getting the taste out your mouth," Jeff Ulbrich said. "To sit on that one for six days, it's hard enough to sit on it for one day. So, I really believe it's a good thing for us right now."
Aaron Rodgers insists he's feeling "really good" just days after Patriots DT Davon Godchaux (6-3, 330) said the four-time NFL MVP was struggling with his mobility and doesn't look the same. He'll need to get off his spot this week against a Texans defense that had 5 sacks and 10 PDs against the Colts and features an outstanding edge pair in Will Anderson (7.5 sacks; 11 TFL to lead the NFL) and Danielle Hunter (5.5 sacks, 7 TFL).
"I expect to be able to do a lot more this week," Rodgers said. "I'll be under center and hopefully be back to my faster than Godchaux speed."
While Houston sports an impressive record, it has outscored its opponents by 9 points and is minus-2 in net TDs. Young signal-caller C.J. Stroud, who will be without his two top targets in Stefon Diggs, who sustained a season-ending torn ACL injury last Sunday, and Nico Collins, has been sacked 22 times.
"His patience, his composure, his ability to get to the third progression consistently is unheard of for a young guy," Ulbrich said of Stroud before adding, "I'm seeing him take a few more liberties with his legs and athleticism and you're seeing him move the sticks a little bit more with his feet this year."
'Just Got to Win Baby'
The Jets rush defense will be challenged by Joe Mixon the former Cincinnati RB is the first player to record 100 rushing yards and a TD in four of their first five games with a team. For the sixth time in nine games, the Jets will line up in a standalone contest and this will be their fifth in primetime. And on this Halloween, they need to drive out the evil spirits.
"It's hard to make big substantial changes whether it be schematic or technique or whatever the case may be," Ulbrich said. "The biggest challenge on all these short weeks is assimilating all this new information for a new opponent and at the same time getting your body in a place where you're ready to rip it on Thursday night. It's hard to make big fundamental changes."
"Just got to win baby," Rodgers said.
