Four Takeaways From The Jets Win In Denver
Updated: Oct 25, 2023
After losing a close game to the Super Bowl Champions a week ago, the Jets bounced back and snapped a three-game losing streak, beating the Broncos by a score of 31-21.
It was an ugly win for Gang Green, but what game isn’t ugly for them right now? While New York looks to grow as the season continues, here are my four takeaways from Week Five:
Another Serviceable Start
Following the best performance of his career last week, which isn’t saying much, Zach Wilson put together another clean game for the Jets this past Sunday afternoon. A couple of blunders, yes, but for the first time in his career, Zach managed to obtain a completion percentage above 70 percent for the second straight week.
Just the simple fact that Wilson was able to sustain some drives and move the ball down the field is an improvement when compared to the inept offensive performances that we saw against the Cowboys and Patriots just a few weeks ago.
Now there’s no way of knowing what we could expect from the third-year quarterback in the long term, but if Zach can continue to have these types of outings at the very least, then the Jets should be in a position to win some football games.
Releasing Breece
New York has played it safe so far this season with running back Breece Hall. However, Robert Saleh announced that the second year back is no longer on the “pitch count” that he was on to start the year. Hall has been working his way back from a torn ACL that ended his season last year, which ironically occurred during last season's matchup against the Broncos in Denver. Well, Hall did not let that stop him. The Jets lead back looked as good as ever, rushing for 177 yards, while adding 17 yards through the air. Breece also found the end zone on an incredible 72-yard TD run early in the third quarter to give the Jets a 15-13 lead.
Breece Hall gives New York a better chance to establish the run as opposed to forcing in Dalvin Cook and/or Michael Carter at the moment. Carter has looked okay as a third-down back, but Cook just doesn’t seem to have a role on this offense so far this season.
Defensive Concerns?
In these last two games, the defense has done a great job in shutting down the opposition for a decent stretch of the game. The problem is that it’s been a recurring theme so far this season that the defense comes out flat at the start of games and allows points on the first few drives.
The Jets allowed the Cowboys to score an opening drive touchdown, the Chiefs scored 17 points on their first three drives, and the Broncos last week scored 13 points on three out of their first four drives.
Yes, Zach and the offense have looked better in recent weeks, but we can’t expect them to continue to climb out of these early-game deficits that New York seems to be getting themselves into. Saleh and Ulbrich need to find a way to prevent this defense from looking so ill-prepared at the beginning of games.
On a positive note, the defense was able to close this one out for New York due to a Quincy Williams sack which then led to a fumble that Bryce Hall scooped up and returned for a touchdown.
After letting up a touchdown on their previous drive, cutting the Jets’ lead to three, the defense stepped up and did not allow Denver an opportunity to tie or win in the game’s final moments.
Jets Lose AVT For The Season
Lastly, an unfortunate blow to the Jets offensive line. New York announced yesterday that RT Alijah Vera-Tucker will miss the remainder of the season with a torn Achilles.
AVT is arguably the Jets' most talented and definitely their most versatile offensive lineman on the roster. Losing the former first-round pick for the second straight season is extremely unfortunate. Like Breece Hall, Vera-Tucker’s season also ended in Denver last year due to injury.
New York has now won two games this season following the loss of a player to an Achilles injury. Needless to say, the Jets need to get a win under their belt without having to pay such a big price. A home game vs. the Eagles is up next for Gang Green before they head into their bye week.
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