• Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The New York Jets lost last Sunday to the Seattle Seahawks, 27-17. This now puts Gang Green at a 1-3 record on the season. New York has dug itself an early hole, especially for a team that has high playoff aspirations. Here are five of the biggest takeaways following the Jets’ loss to Seattle.

5) Away Field Advantage?

  • This past Sunday, Russell Wilson threw for 309 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Wilson joined Andy Dalton as the second road team quarterback, to throw for over 300 yards in MetLife Stadium this season. New York has only played two home games this season, but this is not a trend that Gang Green wants to continue.
  • The Jets’ secondary needs to step up, in order for road quarterbacks and receivers to not feel as comfortable. The Jets’ Marcus Williams has the team’s only interception at home this season.
    • Williams is also the only Jet to intercept a ball this season (two total).
(Photo Credit: Barry Holmes) Marshall and Williams pictured warming up Sunday afternoon.
(Photo Credit: Barry Holmes) Williams pictured warming up Sunday afternoon.

4) Fitzpatrick continues to struggle

  • Ryan Fitzpatrick has thrown an alarming, nine interceptions in the last two games. Against the Seahawks, Fitzpatrick threw three interceptions. One of the interceptions however, Brandon Marshall slipped at the end of his route.
  • Fitzpatrick completed just 23 out of 41 passes for 261 yards. However, the 12 year veteran did have his first touchdown connection of the year with Marshall.
  • The recent struggles of Fitzpatrick have some calling for a return of Geno Smith under center. Coach Todd Bowles still believes that Fitzpatrick is “our best chance to win.”

3) Offensive line to blame?

  • All afternoon, Seattle got penetration in the backfield. Fitzpatrick was sacked for a season high, four times last Sunday. The Seahawks’ defense also recorded nine total QB hits on Fitzpatrick.
  • Matt Forte and Bilal Powell combined for just 53 yards on 18 carries. This is the first week that New York failed to gain 100 yards rushing as a team.
(Photo Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports) Fitzpatrick was hit multiple times last Sunday by the Seattle defense.
(Photo Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports) Fitzpatrick was hit multiple times last Sunday by the Seattle defense.

2) Clean football wins games

  • New York was called for seven penalties last Sunday, totaling 60 yards. This is simply unacceptable if you are trying to win games in the NFL.
  • In both home losses this season, the Jets have been penalized seven times.
    • New York has been penalized at least five times in each game this season (25 times total this season).

1) Week 5 is potentially a must-win

  • New York’s next opponent is the Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1) in Pittsburgh. The Steelers just finished putting up 43 points last Sunday night, in a win at home against the Kansas City Chiefs.
  • If the Jets are unable to win next Sunday, they could potentially fall to a 1-4 record on the season. This would be crippling to the Jets’ hopes of securing a playoff spot.
    • Although the Jets did made the playoffs back in 2002, after starting the season with a 1-4 record.

Barry Holmes is a Senior Writer for PureSportsNY.com. Follow him on Twitter @BHO732

(Featured Photo Credit: Lee S. Weissman)

By Barry Holmes

Graduate of Millersville University, with a BS in Communications focused in Broadcast. Senior Writer & Social Media Manager for PureSportsNY.

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