What's happening
The rollercoaster of ups and downs continues. In true Jets fashion, we have already won more games now than we had all of last season. The first 2 games of the season did not go as anticipated as we suffered a 20 point defeat in week 1 and a tough OT loss to the Titans in week 2. The losing ended there though as we won 7 games straight after that. Of those 7 games, only one game was a close 1 possession game.
Keys to success
The offseason pickup of runningback Aaron Jones seems to have been a phenomenal move. Despite his age, Jones established himself as RB1 early in the season and at times putting the team on his back and leading us to victory just as he did in the down to the wire game against the Dolphins in week 7. The addition of Jones allowed RB John Clifton plenty of opportunities to maximize his potential and create plays in both the passing game, run game, and special teams. The emphasis on the run game has been quite a relief for our quarterback Mr. Stanley Wagner who has not only been playing well but might be having the most efficient season of his career with a 3:1 TD:INT ratio. This change in philosophy from "fuck it lets chuck it deep" to "let's try to run the ball" is partly strategic but also nostalgic. Lately, we've been wearing our older throwback jerseys from the Sanchize era where the ground and pound scheme was extremely successful. We started wearing them in week 7 and we just might rock em for the rest of the season.
Adding Montez Sweat to the defense has been a phenomenal move a is tied for a league-leading 8 sacks. Adoree Jackson continues to be a menace in the secondary shutting down half the field as he leads the league with 9 interceptions.
Offensive Stats
QBs:
Wagner 2209 yards 24 TDs 8 INTs 69% completion RB: Jones 100 rushes 596 yards 5 TDs Clifton 54 rushes 298 yards 5 TDs
WRs: Garrison 35 catches 523 yards 5 TDs Mims 32 catches 411 yards 7 TDs Bayless 33 catches 411 yards 4 TDs Moultan 18 catches 350 yards 1 TD
Clifton 33 catches 286 yards 5 TDs
Defensive Stats
LBs: Blake Cashman 52 tackles 7 tackles for loss 2 INTs
Jaylon Smith 53 tackles 7 tackles for loss 1 INT 1 forced fumble
Defensive Line:
Montez Sweat 25 tackles 7 tackles for loss 8 sacks 2 forced fumbles
John Patterson 23 tackles 4 tackles for loss 5 sacks 1 forced fumble
Secondary: Adoree Jackson 9 INTs 1 forced fumble 2 TDs Shaquille Wright 4 INTs 1 TD Julian Love 4 INTs Tre Flowers 3 INTs
Javelin Guidry 3 INTs
A Deeper Look
3rd in offensive rushing yards - 1309
6th in offensive passing touchdowns - 24
5th in defensive points allowed
2nd in defensive interceptions
Turnover differential 17/ Giveaways 10
Offensive redzone percentage 86%
Defensive redzone percentage 78%
Finishing Strong
With 7 games remaining we've still got plenty of work to do. The goal still remains to finish the cycle at a .500 win rate. If we can continue to play the way we have been and keep a level head, there is no reason we can't win out and hit that .500 target.
Final Thoughts The energy this season has been different. Lots of guys seem checked out and it shows. Sure it's June and all but this wasn't an "opt-out" season. It's the final season. That means you bring more energy not less. Balls to the wall.... NO PAUSE! Let's hope we can all lock back in and finish the season strong. Oh and before I forget....Shoutout to Keegan, the worst Bills user we've had and arguably the worst callup of the cycle.
-Muketh