Justin Herbert torched the Jets secondary and Gang Green’s offense couldn’t keep up after a score on its opening drive.
[sendtonews_embed video_id=”t9KqGosojc-1046559-7498″]
The Jets had an entire week off to take a step back and reevaluate things. They had time to make adjustments on both sides of the ball and time to figure out what it was going to take to break into the win column against the Chargers in Week 11.
None of that mattered when New York took the field against Los Angeles on Sunday afternoon, though.
Justin Herbert torched the Jets secondary and Gang Green’s offense couldn’t keep up after a score on its opening drive. New York kept it close in the end, but the Chargers held on for a 34-28 win.
It looked like New York might have a real chance to take charge after a defensive stop and a blocked punt that led to a touchdown early in the first quarter, but the Jets ultimately reverted to their typical form littered with mistakes and inefficient play for the remainder of the first half. That cost them dearly, as New York nearly came all the way back from a 24-6 deficit.
Week 11 likely represented New York’s best chance of winning a game in 2020. With a stout Dolphins defense on tap next weekend, the Jets will once again be working heavily behind the eight ball — especially if Sam Darnold remains sidelined.
Game Balls
DE Henry Anderson: Anderson turned in his best performance of the season on Sunday, recording five tackles, one tackle for loss, one quarterback hit, 0.5 sack, and a blocked punt early in the first quarter.
DT Quinnen Williams: Williams turned in another strong outing, racking up three tackles, two quarterback hits, and 0.5 sack. He started a bit slow in 2020, but Williams has come into his own as the season has progressed.
Instant Analysis
-Herbert looked like a 10-year veteran dicing up the Jets’ secondary. It goes without saying that New York’s cornerback depth is lackluster right now, but the unit did not pose the rookie with a single challenge. If that becomes the status quo for the remainder of 2020, the Jets are in for a long second half of the season.
-It wasn’t enough in the end, but Gregg Williams was wise bringing constant pressure on Herbert. When he had time to stand in the pocket and go through his reads, the Jets had zero chance of stopping him.
-Breshad Perriman is most definitely worth re-signing. He has proved his worth as a viable deep threat when healthy.
-It doesn’t matter who calls the plays — Adam Gase’s obsession with Frank Gore remains intact. La’Mical Perine is one of the most explosive players on the Jets’ offense, yet he remains on the sideline in favor of the 37-year-old Gore more often than not. It’s a travesty at this point.
-So…why exactly did the Jets start Sam Ficken over Sergio Castillo? Ficken was solid before his injury, but Castillo had been almost automatic for New York in his place. Ficken returned and missed two extra points. Why not ride the hot hand?
-Bryce Hall got picked on in his first career start, but he never backed down. He had his ups and downs in coverage, but credit the Virginia product for not taking his foot off the gas. There’s a reason the Jets are high on him.
-Another week, another dropped pass by Chris Herndon. He made up for it with a nice diving catch in the second quarter and a touchdown in the fourth, but the number of passes Herndon has dropped this season is inexcusable. Who knows, though? Maybe the two grabs could be enough to snap him out of the funk he has been in all year.
-Give Joe Flacco credit; he did what he had to do in the second half. His first-half performance ultimately put the Jets in an insurmountable hole, but at least he brought New York’s offense back to life late in the game.
-0-10. Six more losses until the Jets land themselves in football infamy — and Trevor Lawrence.
