NY Jets' defense fails Aaron Rodgers in embarrassing Cardinals collapse

The NY Jets either lose in the dumbest, most heartbreaking fashion or they get their heads completely blown off in one-sided losses. On Sunday, the Jets chose the latter.

The Jets were soundly stomped out by the red-hot Arizona Cardinals by a final score of 31-6 in Week 10. The defense completely folded, the offense couldn't find the end zone, and the Jets were out-efforted and out-coached.

It's a familiar story for a Jets team that has suffered through its fair share of humiliating losses this season. We've seen this narrative before.

A Jets team fighting for its playoff lives, fresh off their biggest win of the season, with 10 days of rest and all the motivation in the world stumbles out of the starting gate and gets thoroughly dissected by their superior opposition.

It turns out that Robert Saleh wasn't the only problem. He was merely a symptom of a culture that’s been broken for years, a product of deeper dysfunction that runs through the Jets' organization.

NY Jets season comes crashing down thanks to a defensive meltdown

It's difficult to place too much blame on Aaron Rodgers and the offense. The Jets reached the red zone with long drives on three of their first four possessions. Unfortunately, the team's inability to find the end zone ended any hopes of a comeback.

The Jets' defense dug a hole so deep that the offense realistically had no chance anyway. The Jets allowed scoring drives of 70+ yards on three of their first four defensive possessions, allowing a field goal at the end of the first half on the only other drive.

This was a complete and utter defensive meltdown for the Jets, something that has become increasingly common since the departure of Saleh. The Jets probably aren't a playoff team anyway with Saleh (who had his own issues), but it's become clear that firing him has only made things worse.

What is there to say at this point? The Jets put on a masterclass in how not to tackle, a pitiful display that allowed a talented Cardinals offense to expose all their flaws. Their technique was poor — their effort was even worse.

This is who the Jets are. They are masters of finding new ways to unravel, no matter the situation. What was once one of the best defenses in the NFL has become a shell of its former self.

The Jets entered this season with Super Bowl aspirations, a supposed Hall of Fame quarterback, and what was expected to be one of the best defenses in football. Instead, this is what we get. This is the reward Jets fans get. 14 years without a playoff appearance here we come.

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