AFC East: Jets Power Struggle Thru First Half-Dozen

Probably the worst and greatest division in all of football is the AFC East; the last few weeks have been evidence of that. Since week 1 the AFC East has been a powerhouse and I am not talking just about the Patriots rolling people over. Now, these guys are not the LA Rams who are currently undefeated but they have been surprising people with wins that should not happen as well as losses that shocked the whole NFL.

The biggest struggle is coming from the Jets, however, who are currently 3-3 with their win over the Colts last Sunday. The Jets had drafted a rookie QB in Sam Darnold after giving up 4 picks (three 2nd round and a 6th round) in the draft to Indy to move up 3 spots to third overall to snag their QB. After adding on a few other people on defense and offense the Jets felt confident coming into the season with the team. Then after going 1-3 in the preseason, the Jets made sure the NFL knew that they were not the same and gave them a show the NFL would not forget.

Week 1…

the Jets took the Lions to the woodshed, soundly defeating them 48-17 with the bright spots coming from all sides. Sam Darnold found Quincy Enunwa to be a good WR, the defense came out swinging with a few INTs with some being returned for a TD and even special teams returned a few TDs. (1-0)

Week 2…

was another story. Sam Darnold felt the sting of a Dolphins revamp coming out swinging, forcing Darnold to overthrow and get passes intercepted. Meanwhile, the Jets’ defense was made a mock of with a precise attack from Ryan Tannehill who was out the last year due to an injury. This loss had erased all the good from Week 1. (1-1)

Week 3…

was the most embarrassing blow to the Jets. They lost out to the Cleveland Browns after failing to stop the #1 overall pick Baker Mayfield who completed 17 of his 23 passes for 201 yards. He even pulled off a Philly Special. On the day he surpassed Sam Darnold who was intercepted and threw for fewer yards. This put a seat warmer under Todd Bowles; questioning his draft picks and his play calling. (1-2)

The Jets team message was “we don’t want to be the ones to lose to the Browns” #Jets #Browns

— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) September 20, 2018

Week 4…

was a loss in the making, one of the best defenses in the NFL versus a rookie QB with no knowledge of the speed and talent of the weapons on the field. The Jags walked all over Sam Darnold and Co. when they visited Jacksonville. Enunwa again was the reception leader, racking up quite the yardage again a defense that held the young QB to 17 receptions on 34 tries. (1-3)

Week 5…

and the Jets start a three-game home stand starting with the Broncos. They were destined to be a challenge for the Jets but wound up being a breeze for the running back committee who racked up a franchise record in yardage. Crowell not only set the record but was also named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his contribution. And he was not alone. Sam Darnold found out he has other weapons and allowed Robby Anderson and Terrelle Pryor to join in on the fun snagging a few touchdowns. The defense came alive that game notching 4 sacks and 1 INT in total against Case Keenum. (2-3)

FRANCHISE RECORD ALERT!@IsaiahCrowell34 has ran for 219 yds — the highest single-game total in #Jets history#DENvsNYJ pic.twitter.com/uJFLJIYftq

— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 7, 2018

Week 6…

the second game in the home stand was against the Colts who put up an impressive show but were defeated in the end. Sam Darnold had a career day in the (hopefully) long career he’ll have with the Jets. Completing 24/30 passes for 280 yards 2 TDs and 1 INT on the day finding fellow rookie TE Herndon for a score and Pryor for another week. Kearse finally came alive in the offense and while the defense didn’t record a sack officially, they did grab 3 INTs. One which by Mo Claiborne that was returned and another by Darron Lee to jump him to the front and become tied for the league leader in INT. (3-3)

Over the past two weeks, New York Jets rookie quarterback Sam Darnold has been among the best in the league. pic.twitter.com/Trh2LtRoio

— PFF (@PFF) October 17, 2018

Week 7…

the final of the three game home-stand. This will be a challenge going up against a Vikings defense who is one of the up and coming best in the NFL. It will also be a test going up against an offense guided by the NFL leading receiver in yardage Adam Thielen and prospect signing Kirk Cousins. Cousins was recently heard in a video highlighting his journey saying that the tempting offer the Jets made forced the Vikings to make a better one so he can go play with them. All the while he never actually wanted to come and play in New York. This was backtracked by Cousins, of course, but he is a player in both senses of the word and got the best deal while mocking the Jets. This, of course, will be a hot storyline going into this game and should make for an interesting match up.

– Alessandro Senatore is a staff writer for Full Press Coverage Jets and covers the New York Jets. Like and follow on Follow @AMS1928 Follow @FPC_Jets