Jets most responsible for Week 15 loss to Lions

[ad_1]

The New York Jets may have finally taken too many punches this season. Well, consider who is most to blame in the Jets’ Week 15 loss to the Detroit Lions.

Leading by four points at home Sunday with less than two minutes left, the Jets gave up a 51-yard touchdown pass from Jared Goff to Brock Wright. That the winning score came in fourth-and-inches only twists the knife deeper into the Jets’ soul.

“We’re all devastated as a defence, we put that on us because we want to be in those situations.”

DJ Reed pic.twitter.com/0DcxbyfOp6

Jets Videos (@snyjets) December 18, 2022

And there was another twist of the knife after Zach Wilson put the Jets within reach with several clutch throws on the final drive. But the reliable Greg Zuerlein missed from 58 yards.

The Jets (7-7) have lost three in a row and four of five. They remain ninth in the AFC playoff race. The top seven teams earn a playoff spot.

With that said, let’s break down who is most to blame for the Jets’ Week 15 loss to the Lions.

4. Jets defenseman and coordinator Jeff Ulbrich

Let’s start with that, the Jets defense did a really good job against a really good Lions offense. They held Detroit to a pair of field goals in three trips to the red zone. It started on the first practice of the game when the Jets denied the Lions with a massive goal-line position on 4th down.

Individually, DJ Reed had three pass breakups, including one in the end zone. Safety Will Parks started in place of the injured Lamarcus Joyner and led the team with nine tackles, including one on the goal line. Linebacker Quincy Williams had seven tackles (two for a loss). The Lions never even pitched toward the corner of Sauce Gardner Stud.

As coach Robert Saleh said, the Jets were in a position to win late in the fourth quarter thanks to their defense. And that they played so well without their best player Quinnen Williams with a calf injury was even more impressive.

Made the Wright play on 4th down! #DETvsNYJ | CBS pic.twitter.com/RkLdogmS3S

Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 18, 2022

But allowing the game-winning touchdown on a 51-yard catch and run by tight end Brock Wright was inexcusable. Yes, the Jets and almost everyone at MetLife Stadium were expecting a run or a stealth QB on 4th and thumbs. But it’s up to defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich to prepare the Jets for all scenarios.

The Jets looked all but prepared for Jared Goffs’ easy throw and catch with the Wright wide open. Maybe it was a missed mission by a linebacker or a safety. But there was no protection against that possibility and no downstream safety valve just in case someone from the Lions broke free.

There is no reason for this game to happen, Saleh said.

A solid afternoon by defense was washed out with horrible play.

3. Zack Wilson

Zach Wilson wasn’t bad when he returned to the lineup. In fact, he led the Jets to a game-tying touchdown in the fourth quarter and made several clutch throws on the final practice to at least put them in position to attempt the tying field goal.

.@ZachWilson throws across the field to @cj_uzomah for a 40-yard @nyjets TD!

: #DETvsNYJ on CBS: stream on NFL+ https://t.co/nW0d7KOLXRpic.twitter.com/g0WQF9v7kb

NFL (@NFL) December 18, 2022

Wilson threw for 317 yards. He had a 50-yard completion to Jeff Smith and two 33-yard strikes to Garrett Wilson. He threw a pair of touchdowns to tight end CJ Uzomah, including one for 40 yards. He made big plays, often when he went or sometimes in an off-script manner.

This boy fought, Garrett Wilson said of his namesake quarterback.

But Wilson was inconsistent. He missed open receivers, failed to hold up drives and didn’t lead the Jets to nearly enough points against an average Lions defense. He entered the game completing just 55.6 of his passes and then went 18 of 35 against the Lions. It’s just not good enough.

He also threw a terrible pick that led to a Lions field goal in the third quarter. As Wilson pointed out, the difference in the game was three points.

So, like the defense, Wilson did a lot of good things on Sunday. Not enough.

2. Jets Special Teams

There have been three punts returned for a touchdown in the NFL this season. The Jets allowed two.

Brutal.

Kalif Raymond gave the Lions a 7-0 first quarter lead with a 47-yard punt return. Braden Manns’ punt was low and short, easily returned. Coverage and tackles were poor. Jeff Smith was the first man on the court and did not get his hands on Raymond.

The first TD of the day for the @Lions is a kick return from Kalif Raymond!

(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/RMJgU9ahVp

FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 18, 2022

It was a huge game on a day when scoring was a bonus for every team. Like the game-winning touchdown allowed by the defense, that too was inexcusable.

Mann averaged 50 yards on six punts Sunday. But three of his kicks were touchdowns. It wasn’t his finest hour in the NFL.

Braxton Berrios missed a punt return. Greg Zuerlein missed the tying field goal despite a 58-yard try.

The special teams were far from special.

1. Jets Offensive Line

The biggest culprit in New York’s loss on Sunday was its offensive line. They were battered all afternoon by a defense ranked near the bottom of the NFL.

Zonovan Bam Knight had no holes to cross. He was consistently hit on or behind the line of scrimmage, finishing with 23 yards on 13 carries. Michael Carter had a six-yard run in the second half. It was the highlight of a rushing game averaging 2.3 yards per carry (50 yards on 23 carries).

When the Jets fail to establish the running game this season, they lose. As simple as that. And they lost that game to the Lions in the trenches.

Romeo got them!#DETvsNYJ | CBS pic.twitter.com/KhxQ1P8ND2

Detroit Lions (@Lions) December 18, 2022

It wasn’t much prettier in the passing game. Wilson was pressured 22 times, hit five times and sacked four times. Offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur often had Wilson deployed to buy time. Other times, Wilson was quick to stall and make plays.

It wasn’t thanks to the offensive line. The biggest culprit in a heartbreaking loss for the Jets.

[ad_2]