The NY Jets offensive line coach put in extra time for a catastrophic game plan. Sunday’s Week 2 matchup between the New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys presented a formidable challenge for the Jets. Due to Aaron Rodgers’ absence, third-year quarterback Zach Wilson led the Jets’ offense.
They knew the difficulties they would encounter and put in extra work last week to prepare for the Cowboys’ formidable defense adequately. They simplified the playbook and spent many extra hours developing an offensive game plan that would enable the Jets to be successful.
On Sunday, the offensive unit of the New York Jets appeared woefully unprepared for everything the Dallas Cowboys hurled at them, resulting in a dismal, despicable performance. The Zach Wilson justification fails as well.
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Before the game, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported that Jets offensive line coach Keith Carter “logged extra hours [last] week getting the offensive line group ready for a game plan to not only protect Wilson but also help ignite an expected strong ground game.”
Unsurprisingly, Carter’s strategy failed. And it is worth questioning what his original game plan was.
Sunday’s offensive game plan for the New York Jets faltered.
The Jets knew they would face one of the greatest pass rushes in the NFL, led by the league’s best player, Micah Parsons. The Cowboys even had Parsons practice against double and treble teams in preparation for the Jets.
On Sunday, it was anticipated that the Jets would do everything possible to contain Parsons. Instead, they played to the Cowboys’ strengths by allowing Parsons to inflict havoc on a weak Jets offensive line.
During Sunday’s game, the Jets asked Duane Brown to block Parsons one-on-one, with no assistance from other blockers, on a startling 14 plays. This is a lot to ask of any NFL offensive tackle, much less a 38-year-old who missed most of the summer recuperating from major shoulder surgery.
Parsons responded with a staggering nine pressures, four quarterback hits, and two sacks. Because the Jets permitted him to, he altered the course of the game single-handedly.
Carter and the Jets could not come up with anything better despite extra hours of planning. This may be why the coaching staff finds Sunday’s performance so humiliating.
In addition, offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett’s questionable personnel use still needs to be solved. Sunday’s refusal by Hackett to play the team’s finest run-blocking tight end, Jeremy Ruckert, for more than five snaps is perplexing.
Ruckert is the highest-graded run-blocking tight end by Pro Football Focus through two weeks. In contrast, C.J. Uzomah ranked dead last among all 79 NFL tight ends in Week 2 PFF run-blocking grade.
Uzomah remains integral to the offense, even aligning up as a wide receiver in certain formations. Ruckert sat on the bench while the Jets struggled to establish their running offense.
Even the Jets’ rushing attack strategy made no logic. Despite having success rushing behind the right side of their offensive line, the Jets continued to favor the left side of the field.
When rushing to the left, the Jets ran eight times for 18 yards. They ran to the right only twice, but each play gained six yards.
Running behind the team’s best run blockers, Alijah Vera-Tucker and Mekhi Becton, is a good notion. Running behind Duane Brown and Laken Tomlinson isn’t brilliant, particularly with Micah Parsons on that side.
This is straightforward information that anyone viewing from home could identify. Even the statistics bear this out. The film certainly demonstrates it.
On Sunday, the Jets executed one of the worst game plans they could have devised. They played to the Cowboys’ strengths, allowed Parsons to seize control of the game, and limited their own players’ effectiveness.
This is poor coaching, and Hackett and Carter are primarily to blame.
This demonstrates that extra preparation does not always yield superior results. Or it could indicate that the appropriate individuals do not lead the Jets.
In either case, adjustments must be made before Week 3. The Jets will not be successful with this offensive game plan.
