The Jets’ defensive struggles are a serious problem in another unacceptable loss | Observations from defeat vs. Broncos

The season started with questions about the offense. Did Sam Darnold have enough weapons? Could the Jets’ quarterback blossom in his third season? Would Adam Gase’s offense find any traction?

Those queries are still largely unanswered, though it doesn’t look particularly great for any of them. But even if everything was going to plan and the Jets’ offense was flourishing, it might not matter.

Because the defense right now is downright putrid.

The Jets lost their fourth-straight game to open 2020, falling 37-28 to the Denver Broncos on Thursday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.

Two second-half turnovers created by the Jets’ defense actually gave them a chance. Pierre Desir scored on a 35-yard pick six to pull the Jets with two points early in the fourth quarter, and Brian Poole grabbed another interception to set up a Sam Ficken go-ahead field goal with 6:28 left in the game. The Jets actually led 28-27 at the time.

Desir had two interceptions on the night, including a toe-tapping grab along the sideline in the second quarter. But aside from those picks, it was a long night at the office for the cornerback. Desir was torched for two touchdowns by Broncos wide receivers.

Rookie Jerry Jeudy ripped a ball out of Desir’s hands before sauntering a few more yards into the end zone for a 48-yard score in the second quarter. Tim Patrick gained separation for a seven-yard score in the third quarter.

Desir’s struggles highlighted a bad night for the entire Jets secondary against an offense being piloted by a third-string quarterback. No offense to Brett Rypien, but he’s not exactly the second coming of Joe Montana.

Rypien finished 19-of-31 passing for 242 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. The last quarterback to win his debut while throwing three interceptions? Jim Drunkenmiller with the San Fransisco 49ers in 1997.

The Jets didn’t sack Rypien once, and when they appeared to get one in the fourth quarter, Quinnen Williams was flagged for a facemask.

That facemask call was the fifth personal foul penalty called against the Jets’ defense on Thursday, and they added a sixth in the final moments of the game. An undisciplined effort by the entire team saw the Jets give up 113 yards on 10 penalties.

When the Jets needed to make one final stand, they looked to hold the Broncos short of a first down for three plays while trailing by two points after the two-minute warning. Melvin Gordon ran for a 43-yard touchdown on the first play of the Denver drive to ice the game.

Coming into the season, the defense was supposed to be a point of stability, and, frankly, pride. Yes, the group lost Jamal Adams to a trade and C.J. Mosley to an opt out. But defensive coordinator Gregg Williams returned many of the other starters who anchored a strong unit last season.

The Jets schedule only gets harder in the coming weeks, with the New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs and Arizona Cardinals all on the upcoming slate. If they have any shot of being competitive, the defense needs to figure things out fast.

Here are some more observations from Thursday’s game:

– Sam Ficken had a night. The Jets’ offense stalled out several times in Broncos territory, and the inability to get into the end zone more ultimately cost the Jets. But Ficken didn’t let the Jets walk away empty handed on those drives. The kicker finished 5-for-5 on field goals, converting from as far as 54 yards. He did miss a 46-yard attempt in the second quarter, but a Denver penalty gave the Jets a first down. Ficken hit a 26-yarder later on that drive.

– Frank Gore was always going to get the bulk of the work with Le’Veon Bell on IR. The veteran running back knows how to handle a big workload and he’s solid in pass protection. But rookie running back La’Mical Perine was supposed to work his way into the offense over the past three weeks. That just hasn’t happened. Gore finished with 13 carries on Thursday, compared to just five for Perine. If Gore was being productive and moving the chains, there wouldn’t be a major issue with that distribution. But Gore finished with just 30 rushing yards, and at 2.3 yards per carry, the Jets need to shake things up at a certain point.

– Chris Herndon is still a ghost. Darnold threw the ball 42 times, yet the third-year tight end caught just one pass for 11 yards on three targets, and he dropped one pass. He was basically nonexistent in the passing game, and through four games, a potential bounce-back season following a lost 2019 campaign has been a major disappointment for Herndon.

– Jamison Crowder had a major impact in his return. After missing the past two games with a hamstring injury, he finished with 104 yards on seven catches. Jeff Smith, playing his first game of the season after coming off IR following a shoulder injury, also posted a solid night, catching seven passes for 81 yards.

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Chris Ryan may be reached at cryan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ChrisRyan_NJ. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here.

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