The New York Jets experienced a heartbreaking loss at home, narrowly falling 10-9 to the Denver Broncos. The defeat was exacerbated by an undisciplined performance that saw the Jets commit a season-high 13 penalties, the most by any NFL team in Week 4. Particularly troubling was the offensive unit, responsible for eight of these infractions, five of which were false starts.
The errors were uncharacteristic for a team that had maintained relatively clean play through the first three weeks of the season. During that period, the Jets were tied for the 10th-fewest offensive penalties in the league, committing only eight. In stark contrast, the clash with the Broncos marked a significant regression.
"We got to figure it out. Whether or not we're good enough to handle or ready enough to handle all the cadence," lamented head coach Robert Saleh. "Cadence had not been an issue all camp. Felt like our operation had been operating pretty good. Obviously, today took a major step back."
A closer examination revealed individual shortcomings. Left guard John Simpson and running back Breece Hall were each flagged for two false starts. Star left tackle Tyron Smith also contributed with one of his own.
Veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers acknowledged the rare nature of this undisciplined display. "That's one way to do it. The other way is to hold them accountable. We haven't had an issue. We've only had one false start. [Right tackle] Morgan had one false start I believe until this. You know it's been a weapon. We use it every day in practice. We rarely have a false start. To have five today it seemed like, four or five. Yeah, it seems like an outlier. I don't know if we need to make mass changes based on kind of an outlier game."
Rodgers, famed for his meticulous attention to detail, emphasized the importance of maintaining focus on pre-snap operations. This sentiment was echoed by former NFL linebacker Luke Kuechly and former Green Bay Packers receiver Davante Adams. "Aaron is all about the attention to detail. So, snap count, that's attention to detail," Adams explained. "You got to be locked in on something like that. We always talked about in Green Bay that the play is hard enough to win on its own, so let's not lose it pre-snap. At least let's get our pre-snap operation smooth. Everybody hears the same snap count in the huddle, so there's really no excuse for one of these things. Holding people accountable, I agree (with Rodgers). Sometimes that's what you have to do versus run from it. Have certain consequences if guys can't get right."
The timing of the penalties could not have been more detrimental, coming in a game where every point was precious. Despite the errors, the Jets were within striking distance, positioned for a go-ahead field goal with 51 seconds left. However, Greg Zuerlein's 50-yard attempt sailed wide, sealing the team's fate.
Considering their mid-level standing with a 2-2 record, the Jets have shown both potential and volatility this season. The loss to the Broncos underscores the necessity for discipline and execution, especially with competitive games on the horizon. Saleh and his coaching staff will undoubtedly focus on addressing these errors to avoid similar pitfalls in future matchups.
As the season progresses, the ability of the Jets' offense to recalibrate and adhere to strict operational discipline will be crucial. Rodgers' veteran presence and proven track record with pre-snap orchestration offer a foundation to correct these recent missteps. Whether or not they can integrate this focus into their weekly performances will be critical in determining their success moving forward.