When the New York Jets lost their season opener to Pittsburgh on a career long 60 yard field goal by Chris Boswell, I'll bet many Jets fans screamed out "same old Jets". But in defeat there were a number of positives for the Jets on the offensive side of the ball.
This might not be the same mediocre Jets offense that Bills fans have gotten used to seeing. The Jets scored 32 points. They've already scored 30+ points in half as many games as they did all last season when Gang Green averaged 19.9 points a game.
New Offensive Coordinator Tanner Engstram and new starting quarterback Justin Fields played key roles in the strong week one showing. Engstram came over from the Detroit Lions along with new Jets Head Coach Aaron Glenn. Engstram was the Lions passing coordinator and learned from then Lions Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson.
Fields, who began his career in Chicago, looked much better in his Jets debut than he did during his time with the Bears and his short stint in Pittsburgh. Fields did a good job of getting the ball out on time, avoiding negative plays and showed improved accuracy. He was 16-22 for 218 yards and a touchdown. Fields' legs are still a weapon too. He ran 12 times for 48 yards and a pair of TD's.
The Bills defense, which took a pounding from Baltimore, will have to find a way to keep the Jets top two weapons from having a big game. Running back Breece Hall brings speed, good vision and elusiveness to their offense. He totaled 107 yards rushing and added 38 receiving in the loss to the Steelers.
After what Derrick Henry did to the Bills run defense last Sunday night, you might not feel good knowing the Jets are going with a run heavy philosophy under this new coaching staff. They are trying to protect/help Fields as much as possible and not put the game on his passing arm. The Jets ran the ball on 58% of their plays against the Steelers.
Garrett Wilson is a bonafide number one receiver as his three straight seasons of at least 1,000 yards will attest. Wilson had seven catches for 95 yards and reached the end zone one time in the opener. But there isn't much behind him on the depth chart. Allen Lazard, who didn't dress in week one, Josh Reynolds, Tyler Johnson and rookie Adrian Smith fill out the receiver room.
You might want to remember the name of Mason Taylor when it comes to the Jets passing game. The rookie tight end showed the ability to get open and reliable hands during his NFL regular season debut.
The Jets defense, which will probably blitz more than they have in the past, still possess a very strong front line. Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, a Pro Bowler each of the last three seasons, is an absolute beast. Bills fans will be very familiar with the player who lines up next to him at the other tackle spot. Former Bill Harrison Phillips was signed as a free agent in the off season.
The Jets have a pair of good edge rushers in Will McDonald, a first round pick in the 2023 draft who had 10 sacks last season and Jermaine Johnson, a first round pick in 2022. Johnson suffered a season ending achilles injury in week two last season but he made the Pro Bowl in 2023.
There are definitely questions in the secondary outside of cornerback Sauce Gardner. By the way, the Jets let Gardner shadow D.K. Metcalf in the opener which is different than the way Gardner was used by the previous coaches. If they stick with that plan, Gardner would likely be assigned to follow Keon Coleman.
The other starting corner from last season, D.J. Reed, left via free agency. His replacement is former Baltimore Raven Brandon Stephens and he had a rough day against Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers. According to Pro Football Focus, Stephens gave up five catches on seven targets for 60 yards and two touchdowns. He also got called for a critical pass interference penalty on the Steelers game winning field goal drive. Last season PFF graded him 100th out of 116 cornerbacks. Stephens has a tendency to not turn his head around and locate the ball.
Nickel corner Michael Carter II and safety Tony Adams were part of a group that generally had coverage issues, missed a bunch of tackles and struggled in zone coverage.
The Jets run defense was solid though. Steelers running backs managed only 56 yards on 18 carries.
Since Josh Allen became the full time starting quarterback for the Bills, they have played six games against the Jets at Metlife Stadium. The Bills are 4-2 in those games but have averaged just 22 points. The Bills were held under 20 points in four of those six games.