NY Jets: 3 optimistic takeaways from Week 5 loss to the Arizona Cardinals

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NY Jets Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

The NY Jets have very little to be optimistic about following their Week 5 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

The NY Jets are the worst team in the NFL. They are a bad football team consisting of an awful roster and an inept coaching staff. As such, there are very few redeeming qualities about them.

This was all on display when the team fell to 0-5 at the hands of the Arizona Cardinals in Week 5 by a final score of 30-10. For the Jets, it was more of the same.

The offense struggled to get anything going, the defense eventually folded, and the Jets simply played four quarters of downright unwatchable football.

There’s no sugarcoating it — this might be one of the worst teams in NFL history when all is said and done. But we knew this already. And really, what have we actually learned following the Jets’ fifth straight loss?

Probably nothing that we didn’t already know. For that reason, we’re going to switch up our takeaways piece for the week.

Instead, of focusing on general takeaways — which one could assume will detail the terrible roster, coaching staff, and performance each week — we’re going to take a look at some of the few moments of optimism from the week.

This has been a difficult season and it isn’t getting easier anytime soon. But rather than rehash the negative, let’s try our best to scavenge some positivity from yet another abysmal loss.

Next: 3. The NY Jets have found their punter

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NY Jets

3. The NY Jets may have found themselves a punter

We’re diving deep down into our bag of positivity for this one, but the Jets seem to have found themselves a punter.

While the majority of the Jets’ 2020 draft class remains sidelined with injuries, the only one to play every game to this point has been the ninth and final selection of the class — sixth-round punter Braden Mann.

Mann garnered rather unprecedented hype for a punter in the offseason after a thrilling career at Texas A&M. Hopes were high that Mann could not only serve as an upgrade over the incumbent Lachlan Edwards, but as a true weapon for the team.

And while it hasn’t been completely smooth sailing, the early results have been promising.

Sunday’s game the latest example of Mann’s strengths shining through as the rookie punter booted the ball six times and downed it inside the 20-yard-line on four occasions.

Mann is a significant upgrade over Edwards when it comes to coffin-corner punts. The Aussie punter would always opt for hangtime over directional skills rarely pinning the opponent deep in their own territory.

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Not only does Mann have a huge leg, but his directional skills are already significantly better than Edwards’. If he can harness his power a little more and become more consistent with his hangtime, he could be one of the best punters in the league.

Jets fans haven’t gotten to enjoy seeing most of their rookie play this season, but Mann is doing his best to make up for it.

Next: 2. John Franklin-Myers is legit

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NY Jets Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

2. John Franklin-Myers appears to be legit

Perhaps the most surprising standout of the 2020 season for Gang Green thus far has been defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers. Franklin-Myers entered the game riding a wave of momentum after a strong start to the season.

And on Sunday, he finally capitalized on his early success recording his first sack of the season. Franklin-Myers beat right guard J.R. Sweezy on a beautiful swim move and got into the backfield to sack Kyler Murray in just over three seconds from the time of the snap.

It was the only time in the game a Jets defender even touched Murray, but it was a beauty nonetheless.

Franklin-Myers entered the game with a whopping six pressures on just 19 pass-rush snaps for a league-leading 31.6 percent pressure rate. Pressure numbers haven’t been tallied for Week 5 just yet, but it seemed clear that he broke through at least a couple of times.

The Jets might have a legitimate young building block on their defensive line in the former fourth-round pick. A priority waiver claim last year, Franklin-Myers is quickly working himself into more than just a rotational role.

Henry Anderson received just 17 defensive snaps on Sunday with a lot of his usual snaps going to the likes of Franklin-Myers, Kyle Phillips, and Bryce Huff. But of the three, it’s been the former Stephen F. Austin star who has shined the brightest.

In a difficult season, John Franklin-Myers remains one of the only sources of optimism each week.

Next: 1. Jamison Crowder might be the Jets' best player

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NY Jets Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

1. Jamison Crowder might be the NY Jets’ best player

Simply put, Jamison Crowder is being wasted on the Jets right now. The dynamic slot receiver proved once again on Sunday why he’s one of the best slot targets in the NFL today.

Crowder hauled in eight catches for 116 yards and a touchdown. No other Jets player recorded more than three catches or topped 25 yards. He is a man alone right now, but that hasn’t slowed down his production.

Through five weeks, Crowder remains the only receiver in the NFL to record 100+ yards in every game he’s played this season. Granted, he did miss two games with a hamstring injury — but the fact remains the same.

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Crowder is proving that despite lackluster quarterback play and a horrific offensive system, he can still put up elite numbers for a slot receiver. And if the Jets can get some pieces around him, there’s no telling how effective he could be.

The Jets have very little to build around on offense. Realistically, Crowder and rookie left tackle Mekhi Becton seem to be the only above-average starters on the entire unit.

Fortunately for the Jets, both will be sticking around at least through next season — barring the unexpected and foolish release for Crowder which would save the Jets nearly $9 million in cap space.

Next. NY Jets replace Sam Darnold in 7-Round 2021 NFL Mock Draft

Crowder is as important to the Jets right now as any other player. And for that reason, it’s hard not to be at least a little optimistic about his present and future role with the team.

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