Lack of passing attack against Patriots leaves Jets 0-2 and searching for answers

The Jets remained winless as they lost, 25-6, to the New England Patriots. The main reason for the defeat was Zach Wilson tossing four interceptions.

While a poor performance from Wilson was always a real possibility given Bill Belichick is dominant against rookie quarterbacks, a four interception game isn’t acceptable. The fact the defense was able to hold the Patriots to only 25 points is commendable.

Now the Jets sit at 0-2—and the dead last in the AFC East.

Here are some quick takeaways.

COREY DAVIS SHUT DOWN

Throughout the week, the concern was what would the Jets do if the Patriots take Davis away? Gang Green claimed they had answers if the Pats doubled Davis and would rely on their other options to win their one-on-one opportunities.

But Davis wasn’t doubled that much and Patriots corner JC Jackson was still able to remove Davis. He only had two catches for eight yards. Jackson caught an interception while guarding Davis, too.

This was expected since the Patriots game plan revolves around limiting a team’s favorite target.

But according to head coach Robert Saleh, their opponent didn’t do anything complex to take away Davis.

“It was man coverage,” Saleh said. “Did they lean a plug or two? I’m sure. It wasn’t anything exotic at all.”

Davis just couldn’t replicate his production against the Panthers.

It was up to Keelan Cole, Elijah Moore and Braxton Berrios to pick up the slack. But only Berrios was able to, leading the Jets with 73 yards on seven receptions. Moore only managed four catches for 43 yards. Cole didn’t even log a target.

Not a good showing from the Jets receiving corps.

RUN GAME FLASHED

After a poor performance of 45 yards in Week 1 against the Panthers, the run game played exactly how the Jets offense needed to.

They finished with 152 yards on 31 carries, that’s an average of 4.9 yards per carry. Michael Carter led the way with 59 yards and Ty Johnson finished with 50.

“I think we did some great things,” right tackle Morgan Moses said. “Coming out running the ball successfully and giving us the opportunities in the short third downs and things like that. We just got to find a way to capitalize.”

This was the ideal set up for the Jets offense. This could have led to fireworks off the play action, but Wilson’s struggles overshadowed a strong rushing attack.

DENZEL MIMS HEALTHY SCRATCH.

The former second-round receiver was inactive against the Patriots, even with Jamison Crowder being out due to a groin injury.

The Jets rolled with Jeff Smith, Davis, Moore, Cole and Berrios. The reasoning centered around Mims’ inability to learn multiple spots, not playing special teams, and not being better than the guys in front of him.

“There are guys who are putting in the work every day. He (Mims) has to be better than those guys. That’s the bottom line,” Saleh said. “We’re an organization where it doesn’t matter. You have to earn your keep. You have to earn your playing time. It would behoove everybody if we looked at Jeff Smith and all of those guys who are putting in that work, too. Not to say that he is not, but he has to be better than them. As soon as that happens, he’ll be active.”

JFM CONTINUES STRONG START

John Franklin-Myers had a sack and a forced fumble against the Patriots. That’s Franklin-Myers’ second sack of the second and he’s been the Jets best defensive linemen through the first two weeks of the season.

If Franklin-Myers continues this pace, he can demand a significant pay-arise in contract negotiations.