Jets remain an undisciplined mess in 2018

The New York Jets horrific collapse against the Tennessee Titans showed that this team remains an undisciplined mess in desperate need of systemic change. 

It is difficult to know what to write about. It is difficult to know what to say. How many times can a writer trying to cover the New York Jets say that they stink? How many times can a writer say they’re undisciplined, poorly coached, and unable to close out wins?

How many times can the same storylines be revisited? Yet that is where this writer finds himself, and it is an exhausting place to be. Perhaps the most frightening thought is that if it’s this painful and tiring to discuss and write about the Jets, how much more miserable must the players be?

After losing their past five games, the Jets looked poised for a moral victory and an upset against the Titans. Despite having leads as large as 16-0, 19-6, and 22-13 throughout the game, the Jets were unable to close out the win. They collapsed in epic fashion, losing 26-22 on a last minute Marcus Mariota touchdown pass.

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The Jets basically handed the game to the Titans, as they committed 11 penalties and failed to score a single offensive touchdown.

If the Jets’ loss to the Titans was an anomaly, it would still have been painful. However, when considering the larger pattern of their season, it becomes soul-crushing.

The Jets blew a 14-0 lead to the lowly Browns, allowing Baker Mayfield to shred them in his first NFL appearance.  They were destroyed by the Matt Barkley-led Bills. And throughout their first 12 games, the Jets have failed to score 23+ points in all but three games.

When teams struggle, it is not unusual for ownership to make changes. The Jets will almost certainly make changes. Head coach Todd Bowles will almost certainly be fired, and there’s speculation that even General Manager Mike Maccagnan could follow. The organization will also have a high draft pick, which will be needed to help overturn a talent-deficient roster.

Since 2016, the Jets have a combined record of 13-31. Given the actual results on the field week in and week out, even that record seems better than the team deserves.

Bottom line: the Jets are not just having an occasional bad game. They are mired in a multi-year losing culture, and ownership should consider any and all changes to ensure a brighter future for the team in 2019 and beyond.