The NY Jets try a different approach and fail spectacularly

The NY Jets found out that the more things change, the more they stay the same in Week 7.

The winless NY Jets had their chance to defeat the first-place Buffalo Bills. But once again, they proved unable to play 60 minutes of competitive football.

Jets head coach Adam Gase’s decision to hand over his playcalling duties to offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains was the biggest surprise of this week’s game.

And for the better part of the first half, Sam Darnold and company looked re-energized. But ultimately, a different game manager could not fix this faulty system.

The Jets’ offensive line surrendered six sacks, 12 hurries, and seven hits. There were eight dropped passes, three of them to the ineffective tight end corps, who once again, despite more than a few errant passes and penalties, amassed zero receptions for zero yards.

In the second half, this offense mustered just four yards. Talk about ineptitude personified.

The defense does lead the league in one category — with an astounding 17 roughing the passer penalties. Against Buffalo, Gregg Williams’ unit had a few powerful moments.

But ultimately, they allowed 433 total yards. The final score was not nearly as close as indicated, as Bills kicker Tyler Bass missed two of eight field goals, plus Buffalo had a touchdown called back by a penalty.

The momentum shift came two-plus minutes before halftime.

With the Jets up 10-3 and driving down the field to widen the margin, Darnold committed another mind-numbing interception, misreading coverage and throwing into traffic, which led to another Bills’ field goal before both teams headed to their locker rooms.

The roof caved when former Jets’ return specialist Andre Roberts took the second-half opening kick for 58-yards, resulting in another field goal.

After the Jets’ next stalled drive, Roberts ran back a punt for 15 yards, which helped set up the decisive boot that gave Buffalo a lead they would never relinquish.

Former general manager Mike Maccagnan deserved to lose his job just for trying to lowball his two 2018 All-Pros, Roberts, and current Seahawks kicker Jason Myers. Everyone knows football is a game of field position — everyone that is, except unemployed Maccagnan.

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• NY Jets officially place the franchise tag on safety Marcus Maye

The NY Jets learned a few things in Sunday’s loss to the Buffalo Bills.

In this game, we learned a great deal about the franchise’s roster talent (or the lack thereof). For instance, we see that Mekhi Becton is a foundational talent and this team’s best young player.

We caught a glimpse of the raw skills displayed by rookies wide receiver Denzel Mims (four catches for 42 yards) and running back La’Mical Perine (11 rushes for 35 yards with one touchdown and two receptions). We witnessed the slot-receiver finesse of Braxton Berrios (four grabs for 35 yards).

Again, we felt frustrated regarding the fading Jets career arc of 23-year-old Darnold (12-of-23 for 120 yards, zero TDs, and two INTs for a dismal QBR of 31.0). Darnold holds on to the ball too long, gets easily rattled, and makes poor decisions.

With last week’s trade of defensive captain Steve McLendon, we saw arguably the best game of Quinnen Williams‘ career. We also noticed that 2020 undrafted free agent Bryce Huff and low-rent 2017 free agent Neville Hewitt are Gang Green’s best linebackers not named C.J. Mosley.

And we realize, more than ever, that this team’s most pressing contract negotiation (or biggest trade bait) is safety Marcus Maye.

Current general manager  Joe Douglas has many questions to answer. The Jets flashed minimal talent going into the season.

The decisions to move on from their only legit players — Jamal Adams, Robby Anderson, even current Bills starting guard Brian Winters — have wrecked this franchise for the foreseeable future.

Next week the Jets take on Le’Veon Bell and the powerhouse Kansas City Chiefs. It’s one thing to lose in a tight-looking final score to the top team in a weak AFC East. It’s another thing altogether when they take on the defending Super Bowl champions.

It’s hard to see Trevor Lawrence not wanting to avoid this wretched stench emanating from Florham Park.