The New York Jets find themselves in a historic predicament as they embark on a pivotal season. For the first time since the NFL began tracking turnovers in 1933, the Jets have gone five games without forcing a turnover. If they continue this trend and end up with another turnover-free performance against the Denver Broncos in London, they could tie the 2018 San Francisco 49ers for the longest turnover drought at six games.
Players-Only Meeting Prior to London Trip
In a bid to turn their season around, the Jets’ defense held a players-only meeting before flying to England. Defensive end Jermaine Johnson disclosed this gathering during a media session. He emphasized the importance of unity, stating, “Everybody was on the same page. We have to be better.” Johnson acknowledged that the defense must not be the reason for their defeats, highlighting the team’s talent and potential.
Accountability and Leadership
Johnson, who is set to return after an ankle injury sidelined him for three games, stressed that they need to support their coach, Aaron Glenn. “Coach Glenn has had our back,” he noted, “and we need to put a good product out there in return.” Meanwhile, defensive tackle Quinnen Williams attributed the team’s dismal 0-5 start to defensive shortcomings, calling them “probably the worst defense in the league.”
- Current Record: 0-5
- Team Meeting Intent: Improve accountability and performance
- Key Players: Jermaine Johnson, Quinnen Williams
- Upcoming Opponent: Denver Broncos, in London
Coordinator Comments
Defensive coordinator Steve Wilks accepted full responsibility for the team’s struggles. “Everything is on me,” he remarked, indicating a collective commitment to improving the defense’s performance. Following a recent loss to the Dallas Cowboys, which ended in a 37-22 score, concerns about the coaching staff’s stability began to surface.
Critical Matchup in London
The upcoming game in London carries significant weight for the Jets. Historical context is key, as a loss would mean they fall to 0-6, a situation that could lead to drastic measures. Last year, a defeat against the Minnesota Vikings in London resulted in the dismissal of coach Robert Saleh.
Looking ahead, the Jets have two crucial winnable games against the Carolina Panthers and the Cincinnati Bengals. Securing victories in either matchup is essential to avoid a dismal 0-8 record heading into the bye week.
