Jets can’t throw to a tight end nor can they stop one

Sep 25, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham (88) celebrates his touchdown reception against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham (88) celebrates his touchdown reception against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

One-quarter of the way through the season for the New York Jets and we’ve learned one thing. They can’t utilize the tight end position nor can they stop one for that matter.

Here’s the harsh reality, the New York Jets are 1-3 after four weeks of play. Here’s the even harsher reality, the Jets next four games are against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Arizona Cardinals, the Baltimore Ravens, and ends with the Cleveland Browns.

Related Story: Jets continue to play pathetic style of football in Week 4

While offensively, the Jets have been Jekyll and Hyde. You see the potential (Week 2 in Buffalo) and you see the floor (Week 3 in Kansas City). The Jets played poorly on all sides of the football in Week 4 against the Seattle Seahawks. But a continuing theme is their inability to stop opposing tight ends.

Last week it was Travis Kelce destroying the Jets defense to the tune of six receptions, 89 yards, and a score. While Jimmy Graham didn’t score a touchdown, but he really didn’t have too.

Another 6 receptions to a different tight end but for 100 yards receiving. While a few times Graham just made superstar plays that football fans will be daily throughout the week. The rest of the time it just seemed like Darron Lee couldn’t keep up. Although the Jets tried a variety of tactics, none of them did any good.

More from The Jet Press

While flipping over to the offense, many thought the Jets would get a spark from new addition Austin Seferian-Jenkins this week. But to the disappointment of many, he was inactive.

Regardless, the Jets have gone a quarter of their season without registering a reception from the tight end position. While this offseason the coaching staff reiterated the importance of the position and said they’d make a concerted effort to flip the script from last season.

So far that has been nothing more than a farce. While the offense was hurting without Eric Decker on Sunday, there’s no excuse as to why they refuse to even game-plan the tight end in.

We foreshadowed this problem last week by indicating that Kelce won’t be the best tight end the Jets face. If this defense doesn’t adapt and fix their issues, they could be in for a very long season.

Everyone also thought that the defense for the Jets would be the backbone of the team. It seems that they could be the reason they don’t even make it to the postseason.

Must Read: Change needs to happen at quarterback for Jets

Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has nine interceptions in the past two games. The calls for Geno Smith are only going to get louder but at least for now, the Jets should focus on what to do about their tight end situation as well as defending against them.

Schedule