Jets continue to struggle with overall offense

The New York Jets have a plethora of problems to address this week but none more glaring than their offensive woes.

After the pathetic performance of the New York Jets last week, the team was fully aware of the importance of getting back on a winning track. A home game at MetLife Stadium, a week’s rest for Brandon Marshall, and a showdown against a gimpy Russell Wilson. It seemed like a recipe for success.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case–there was a game to be played. The Jets came out flat and were dominated on all aspects of the field. They were out-coached, out-hustled, and totally dominated from start to finish.

It was just another rough afternoon for the Jets in Week 4, being defeated by the Seattle Seahawks 27-17. It was a struggle once again throughout most of the game, as the offense couldn’t get much consistency. The Jets were informed that wide receiver Eric Decker was not only out for today’s game, but could be out for the remainder of the season.

On Sunday, it was totally apparent that with the loss of Decker, the Jets were unable to muster any significant offensive game. Marshall was targeted 12 times and running back Bilal Powell nine times, once again exposing the Jets need for a tight end and another weapon.

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They added tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins to the roster last week after Tampa Bay dropped him, but he was unavailable after only practicing with the team twice.

Additionally, once again, quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick struggled with turnovers and missed several important throws. After throwing six interceptions against the Kansas City Chiefs last week, he threw three more Sunday.

And across the field, Wilson, playing on a sprained MCL, was the exact opposite, shredding the Jets’ secondary for 309 yards and three touchdowns.

One of the key cogs to the Seattle offense was Jimmy Graham, the tight end, who had 113 yards. It was like dejá vu for the Jets defense, as they allowed Chiefs’ tight end Travis Kelce to haul in 89 yards and a touchdown just a week earlier.

The Jets defense, who have been among the best in the league these past several years, have allowed teams to bury their secondary, driving down the field and scoring with ease. This past Sunday, we witnessed some more missed tackles, busted coverages, and unnecessary penalties. Darrelle Revis exited the game and didn’t return with a leg injury. Guard Brian Winters left the game with a head injury as well, on a play where he head-butted a defender and received a 15-yard penalty.

One of the Jets’ major problems right now is the inability to move the football in the second half. The Jets went into the half down 14-10, after a late Marshall touchdown, which seemed to give them a slight momentum going into the second half. However, in the third quarter, still, within a score, the stingy Seattle defense forced the Jets to punt on both of their first two possessions. The third possession resulted in a Richard Sherman interception, followed by another one by Earl Thomas and finally, the second interception for Sherman in the fourth quarter to seal the deal.

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Oct 2, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Seattle Seahawks free safety Earl Thomas (29) celebrates his fourth quarter interception with teammate Richard Sherman (25) during the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

The Jets obviously need to make some changes in personnel or in the play calling, as the Jets are struggling more than any team in the NFL right now. After such a dominant performance in Week 2 against Buffalo, this team is heading downhill completely.

After the game, Marshall expressed his frustration. “I am shocked,” he said, per Judy Battista of NFL.com. “I expect more out of our offense. Every year is different. It’s a little deflating. You think you’re really close, and right when you think it’s going to be easy, whether in sport or life, you get slapped in the face and humbled. It’s disappointing, but that’s just the story of life. It’s never easy. This is hard. Football is hard, and it’s not for the weary.”

Must Read: Turnovers continue to define the Jets in 2016

Things will not get any easier for the Jets, as they will now head on the road to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers, followed by another road game against the Arizona Cardinals. The secondary position has been amongst the worst in the league and now they have to tackle the challenge of covering the league’s top receiver Antonio Brown next week. If the turnovers can be limited and the offense can regain its mojo, the Jets just could potentially steal a victory and get right back on track.

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