NY Jets defense melts down as Robert Saleh firing looks worse and worse

Many were worried that the NY Jets' decision to fire head coach Robert Saleh wouldn't solve the team's issues. As it turns out, it may have created even more.

The Jets' defense melted down in the first half of the team's Week 6 game against the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football, allowing 20 points and offering little resistance against a Bills offense led by their ground game.

The Bills are on pace for well over 400 yards and 40 points as a Bills team without James Cook is still averaging just shy of 6.0 yards per carry and 6.8 yards per play.

The Jets' offense has looked significantly improved, aided by a last-second Aaron-Rodgers-to-Allen-Lazard Hail Mary to end the first half. But that isn't necessarily a product of the Jeff Ulbrich switch.

Saleh reportedly planned to make the same change Ulbrich made this past week, demoting offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and replacing him with passing game coordinator Todd Downing. That change has worked — everything else hasn't.

Did the NY Jets make a mistake firing Robert Saleh?

Of course, it's too early to make any definitive declarative statements about the Jets' decision to fire Saleh. While it was a questionable decision at the time and the early results haven't been promising, it's still far too early to be certain about Woody Johnson's choice.

But it's hard not to watch this game and question what exactly has changed following the switch from Saleh to Ulbrich. The defense looks even worse. The penalties are still a major issue (four costly penalties for 46 yards in the first half). The Jets are still an undisciplined mess at times.

The only positive change has come with the offense — a change Saleh intended to make as well. If anything, the Jets' defense has gotten worse with Ulbrich in charge, likely a result of him being forced to handle head-coach duties and play-calling responsibilities.

That said, part of the issue is the Jets' personnel. The team's defensive line is a major issue, and no amount of coaching changes is going to correct that. They have no pass rush and can't defend the run. That's not entirely on Ulbrich and the defensive staff.

Still, the fact remains that the Jets' defense looks like a disaster the same week the team fired its highly-touted defensive-minded coach. Does that mean it was the wrong decision? Not necessarily. But it sure doesn't make it seem like the right decision.

The early results have been the same. Ulbrich has an opportunity to put an end to that narrative and secure a signature win in the second half.

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