Giants vs. Jets: 3 takeaways from Week 3 loss

In the 50th preseason Snoopy Bowl, the New York Giants beat the New York Jets 22-16. Here are the top three takeaways from the Week 3 preseason loss.

The New York Jets are now on a two-game losing streak in preseason action with another sloppy game. Yes, rookie quarterback Sam Darnold played well and likely earned the starting nod to begin the regular season under center but the Jets have a lot of work ahead of themselves.

With just a few weeks left until the regular season is here, the Jets got some pretty eye-opening issues that need to be corrected before 2018 becomes another losing season. Clearly, whatever head coach Todd Bowles is doing in order to correct the penalty epidemic isn’t working.

Something has to change because if it doesn’t, it’s insanity. Expecting different results from doing the exact same thing over and over again is obviously not working. Hopefully, Bowles holds the offending players accountable because enough is enough.

Here are the top three takeaways from the Jets preseason Week 3 loss to the New York Giants.

3. The penalties must stop

One of the most irritating moments in professional football is when you give your opponent free yards because of penalties. It hurts, even more, when you get penalties on defense on key 3rd down conversions and simply give your opponent a fresh set of downs due to not being disciplined.

In the grand scheme of things, these penalties must stop if the Jets are serious about contending this upcoming season. It’s been a recurring theme throughout training camp and especially in preseason action. Pushups, situps, and any of that nonsense simply aren’t getting the message across to players.

It’s best that Bowles changes things up and holds any player that causes penalties more accountable to make it known just how serious it is. Can you imagine how bad things could get during the regular season in football games that actually count?

Something has to change and it needs to happen quickly. There is just one more preseason game left on the schedule then the Jets will head to Detroit to face the Lions on Monday Night Football in Week 1. To avoid embarrassment to a national audience, the Jets have to nip this in the bud immediately.

Next: 2. The disaster known as special teams

2. The disaster known as special teams

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Just when one would think that special teams couldn’t get any worse, the blunders were at an all-time high in the Jets Week 3 preseason loss to the Giants. From a dropped fumble, a missed point after touchdown, and giving up a touchdown on a punt return, this was a disaster of epic proportions.

It looks like the special teams unit of the Jets has regressed and it had super sloppy written all over it. It’s understandable to a degree since several players on special teams likely won’t make the final cut but the lack of execution was evident all night long.

Running back Trent Cannon shouldn’t be handling return duties by any stretch of the imagination. Yes, Cannon has great speed and will likely make the team as a running back on the depth chart but he shouldn’t be allowed to do punt or kickoff returns going forward.

Cannon gets some slack since he’s a rookie but the blame goes on the coaching staff for putting him in a situation he’s clearly not ready for. It’s time to stop experimenting and put a capable returner for kickoffs and punts after this debacle.

Next: 1. Sam Darnold is more than ready

1. Sam Darnold is more than ready

In one of the brightest spots of the night, Darnold solidified himself as the best option to start the regular season for the Jets. He was accurate, smart, made clutch plays when needed, and best of all, he didn’t commit a single turnover.

Darnold showed off his speed on the ground and for being just 21-years-old, proved that age is just a number. The rookie handles himself well in every given situation and has such a demeanor that he looks like he can’t be jilted in any way, shape, or form. This is the leader of men the Jets need to name a starter and do what he does best.

Bowles likely has an idea on how the quarterback situation of the Jets will look like once the regular season is here but we have to call a spade a spade. Darnold is hands down more than ready to start the regular season for the Jets and put the team in a position to win football games.

Overall, this second straight preseason loss was an eye-opener for the Jets. They must fix their problems with penalties and special teams because, if Darnold ends up being named the starter, no matter how good the rookie is he won’t be able to do much of anything with glaring issues like this.