The New York Jets experienced a stinging loss at home, narrowly losing 10-9 to the Denver Broncos, a defeat that highlighted significant issues in their game management and execution. This game dropped the Jets to a 2-2 record for the 2024 season, a reflection of inconsistent performances that peaked with an alarming 13 penalties – the highest in the NFL during Week 4.
Eight of those 13 penalties came from the offense, setting a concerning tone as the team struggled to find rhythm. Most notably, five of these offensive penalties stemmed from false starts, marking a stark departure from the discipline they had shown in the first three weeks. The previous false start-free weeks saw the Jets tying for the 10th-fewest offensive penalties in the league.
False Starts and Accountability
Left guard John Simpson and running back Breece Hall each were flagged for two false starts, with left tackle Tyron Smith added to the tally with one of his own. This abrupt increase contrasted sharply with the single false start violation the Jets had accrued in the first three weeks of the season.
Head coach Robert Saleh acknowledged the unexpected and disruptive nature of these penalties. “We got to figure it out. Whether or not we're good enough to handle or ready enough to handle all the cadence. Cadence had not been an issue all camp. Felt like our operation had been operating pretty good. Obviously today took a major step back,” Saleh commented. This statement underscores the team’s perplexity at their sudden fall from operational grace.
A Sudden Outlier or Deeper Concern?
Adding his perspective, quarterback Aaron Rodgers seemed to consider the performance an anomaly rather than a sign of systemic problems. “That's one way to do it. The other way is to hold them accountable. We haven't had an issue. We've only had one false start,” Rodgers noted. “You know it's been a weapon. We use it every day in practice. We rarely have a false start. To have five today it seemed like, four or five. Yeah, it seems like an outlier.”
Rodgers’s emphasis on the snap count as a strategic asset points to a deeper understanding of the game's nuances. Historically, Rodgers has leveraged his hard count effectively, a fact highlighted by former NFL linebacker Luke Kuechly. “He nailed it: 'my hard count is a weapon.' The amount of big plays, go ask Jordy Nelson,” Kuechly remarked. This highlights the potential benefits when executed correctly and the drawbacks when it goes awry.
Attention to Detail
Former Green Bay Packers receiver Davante Adams, who has played closely with Rodgers, emphasized the quarterback's meticulous nature. “Aaron is all about the attention to detail. So, snap count, that's attention to detail. You got to be locked in on something like that. We always talked about in Green Bay 'that the play is hard enough to win on its own, so let's not lose it pre-snap',” Adams said. His insights underscore the importance of accountability and precision in avoiding such penalizing mistakes.
The Critical Moment
The game’s pivotal moment came when kicker Greg Zuerlein missed a 50-yard field goal with just 51 seconds remaining. This miss underscored the Jets' broader struggles. While penalties and faulty executions marred their performance, it was this missed opportunity that sealed their fate.
Past performance is a crucial aspect of analyzing any team’s trajectory, and for the Jets, it serves as both a warning and a blueprint. Having committed only eight offensive penalties from Weeks 1 to 3, they demonstrated they can maintain discipline. Addressing these newfound challenges will be critical as they aim to reestablish consistency and compete effectively in the coming games.
The New York Jets must confront these issues head-on, holding players accountable and recalibrating strategies where necessary. The ultimate measure of their season will depend on their ability to convert these lessons into tangible improvements on the field, ensuring moments like their Week 4 setback become the exception rather than the rule.