09/08/19 Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets at Metlife Stadium East Rutherford N.J. New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold #14 walks off the field in dejection after the game
By Jeff Moeller, The New York Extra/thenyextra.com
Check your Jets’ frustration level.
How’s yours after a 31-13 loss to San Francisco that was a mirror image of their 27-17 loss to Buffalo last week? Both really weren’t as close as the score.
It again was the same script of injuries, missed assignments and lack of overall production on both sides of the ball.
A team that was once viewed as a rising playoff contender is on the verge of being a laughingstock. For the second straight week, there were some positives, but there also were too many questions. Opportunities were missed.
Head coach Adam Gase stated the obvious and confirmed the reality.
“We didn’t play the game we needed to play,” said the continued embattled coach. “I’m pissed right now. That s— is no fun going out there and getting your ass beat.”
The players also feel it.
“We haven’t shown progress,” said linebacker Jordan Jenkins. “It’s been rinse and repeat the last two games.
“We just got embarrassed.”
Yes, the Jets were an underdog against the 49ers, but this was a San Francisco team that had its share of injuries on both sides of the ball and lost starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, running back Raheem Mosert and defensive end and sack machine Nick Bosa all to injuries after the first half.
But the damage by two of the three was already done.
Garoppolo put on a clinic in the first half, as he carved up the Jets’ defense with a 14-for-16, 131-yard, two-touchdown performance that led to a 21-3 halftime lead.
Mosert broke free and nearly wasn’t touched on an 80-yard touchdown burst on the game’s first play that accounted for the majority of his 92 rushing yards and he also caught two balls for 15 yards.
With a horde of second teamers for San Francisco in the second half, the Jets couldn’t take advantage and their defense couldn’t put the clamps down.
As previously mentioned, the Jets had opportunities in the opening half while they were still in striking distance.
They took the ball down to the San Francisco 18 and trailed 7-0 and had to settle for a field goal.
Later, the Jets had their most productive drive of the game that took them down to the San Francisco 29, and they were forced into a fourth-and-one. On a questionable call, Josh Adams took a deep handoff in the backfield and was stopped. Sam Darnold easily could have sneaked the ball.
“We were moving the ball, but we couldn’t get into the end zone,” added Gase.
Yes, he’s right. The Jets have three touchdowns in their first two games. They lost wide receiver Breshad Perriman to an ankle injury and return specialist Braxton Berrios had six catches for 59 yards and the lone touchdown.
Sam Darnold had another average game, and he had another short passing game. His touchdown pass of 30 yards to Barrios was his longest of the game. However, Darnold has lacked the spark of a franchise quarterback.
Frank Gore had a workmanlike effort of 63 yards on 21 carries, and rookie La’Mical Perrine made his first appearance after a nagging ankle injury.
Quinnen Williams had a solid game up front defensively with a pair of sacks, but the overall defensive unit lacked their luster and aggression from last year.
Frustrations and questions rise. Injuries mount. The Gase watch has begun.
An instant solution doesn’t look like it’s on the horizon.
Yet, a highly competitive effort or a win temporarily can change the climate.