The New York Jets’ draft stock continues to climb after a 29-6 loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 16. The loss drops the Jets’ record to 3-12, and they now hold the fourth overall pick in April’s NFL draft.
The Jets struggled to move the ball on offense all afternoon. The defense struggled a bit in the first half under new defensive coordinator Chris Harris. However, the second half was a complete disaster, with a defense that made Saints rookie quarterback Tyler Shaw look like Drew Brees.
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Here is Jets Wire’s transcript following the Jets’ loss to the Saints:
Passing offense: C-
This game has more to do with Tanner Engstrand than Brady Cook. Engstrand did what most offensive coordinators do when starting a rookie quarterback. He stops him and protects him from making mistakes. Each pass was short, with Cook averaging just 5.4 yards per carry. He finished with 188 yards, no touchdowns and just one interception.
This strategy isn’t doing Cook any favors, and the team is hurting his potential development. Frankly, if you have zero intention of letting Cook take the shot, then stop wasting our time and put Tyrod Taylor back in the starting role to try and win the final two games of the season.
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Charge attack: D
Brady Cook is very limited at quarterback, so the Jets are still trying to rely on their main strength, which is their running game. However, it was another forgettable game for Breece Hall (16 carries, 54 yards), and there’s reason to wonder if he wants to stay in New York. He’s done little to take the pressure off his inexperienced quarterback, and his “woe is me” behavior has become very stale. For a player who expects to be paid like a top running back, Hall hasn’t really shown that he deserves a big contract. The Jets would be better off shutting him down this season and letting Isaiah Davis carry the majority of the offensive load over the final two games.
Charge Defense: C-
The Saints’ defense held firm in the absence of Alvin Kamara. Taysom Hill was the Saints’ leading rusher with 42 yards, and New Orleans did most of its damage through the air. On the bright side, Jowon Briggs continues to be a hot prospect for the Jets, recording a sack once again and now has four sacks on the season.
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Pass Defense: F
The defensive coordinator change worked about half the way, and then the wheels fell off as nothing happened on offense. Chris Olave held the secondary to 148 yards on 10 catches and two touchdowns. Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough threw for over 300 yards. Jamion Sherwood may have had his best game of the season, making some key stops and recording one of the Jets’ three sacks on the afternoon.
Special Teams: B
Nick Folk had two field goals and Austin McNamara punted three times in the 20, and the second game had little success. There’s not much to report here, and it’s increasingly frustrating that this unit is the only one that comes to play every week.
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Coach: D
It’s understandable why reports suggest Aaron Glenn might not be as safe as initially assumed. Since losing Tyrod Taylor to injury against Miami, the team has zero enthusiasm for the game and is back to an “I quit” mentality. The veterans have checked out and are getting ready to go on vacation. Fans and writers have every reason to be skeptical that Glenn can turn things around. The Jets lost by more than 20 points for the third straight week. Glenn wasn’t fired after the season, but climbing the mountain of respectability and earning the trust of the fan base became a lot harder.
Outside of special teams, the Jets showed little improvement on offense or defense. The offense was boring again and the defense couldn’t stop anyone. Maybe if Taylor hadn’t been injured against the Dolphins, the offense would have been better and the entire team would have been more dynamic. However, the players refused to rise to the challenge and fight. It would be easier for Brees Hall, Jermaine Johnson and Quincy Williams to hang out the rest of the way and then bad mouth the organization when they leave.
Everyone wants to keep tanking this season until they see what tanking looks like. If you like losing and want high draft picks, you have no reason to complain about Sunday’s performance. The Jets now own the No. 4 pick in April’s draft and may be one step closer to landing Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. They likely won’t win their final two games against the Patriots and Bills. I’d say they should play for pride, but any type of pride has long since left this team.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Transcript: Jets lose to Saints 29-6
