Jets could be contenders if they fix sloppy penalties

The New York Jets are currently 3-2 with a chance to be on top of the AFC East if they can beat the New England Patriots in Week 6 action. They must fix their sloppy penalties if they want to be contenders again.

Believe me when I say there is no such thing as “tanking” when it comes to the New York Jets. Week in, week out, I’ve seen players work hard, hustle, and actually play with a sense of urgency for their respective role. As fate would have it, they’re 3-2 with a chance to do something big in Week 6.

That’s right Jets fans, this team has a date at MetLife Stadium against the Super Bowl defending New England Patriots with a chance to be in first place in the AFC East. It’s not going to be easy but the Jets can actually beat the Patriots if they fix one key area of their game.

Penalties. This a major area of opportunity when it comes to the Jets since they barely beat the Cleveland Browns in Week 5 and should they commit a plethora of penalties once again against the Patriots, there is no way they will beat them. So far this season, the Jets have committed 38 penalties.

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So far this season, the Jets have committed way too many penalties that are a clear sign of a lack of discipline. If this team is to take it to the next level, they must tighten up as a team and play focused football. The kind that pays attention to every little detail to execute flawless football in all aspects of the game.

Against the Patriots and well, any team for that matter, the Jets can continue to overachieve if they simply play mistake-free football. The kind that capitalizes on other team’s mistakes and then turns them into points on the scoreboard. If the Jets are committing too many mistakes that lead to costly penalties, they’ll be right back in the bottom of the AFC East faster than a New York minute.

For now, the Jets are a big surprise this season. They have more wins than other teams that were slated to be playoff contenders and at the end of the day, are using it as motivation to continue to win football games. Once they get these sloppy penalties under control and continue to play hard every single down, they will easily be contenders that might very well make their way into the playoffs this season.

Yeah, I know, it’s hard to believe that but the Jets have been playing better football than most other teams and can make a huge statement if they can beat the Patriots in Week 6. Slowly but surely, the Jets are developing an identity. Now, it’s all about tightening up and continuing to stick with the process of taking things one week at a time.

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The Jets aren’t perfect but are doing just enough to win, even with all these penalties on a weekly basis. Once they fix that, it’ll be hard to deny them the respect that they are indeed developing into a solid team that can keep up with anyone in front of them.