The New York Jets' tumultuous home game against the Denver Broncos culminated in a narrow and frustrating 10-9 loss. The relentless barrage of penalties played a significant role in their downfall, as they amassed an NFL-high 13 penalties in Week 4 of the 2024 season. With this defeat, the Jets' record stands at an uncertain 2-2.
A startling eight of these infractions were on the offensive side, making them the second-most penalized offense behind just the Houston Texans, who recorded nine. The flurry of mistakes included five false starts, with left guard John Simpson and running back Breece Hall each flagged twice, and left tackle Tyron Smith adding another.
Piling Penalties
The sudden surge in penalties was a stark contrast from the Jets' previous weeks. "We got to figure it out. Whether or not we're good enough to handle or ready enough to handle all the cadence," Head Coach Robert Saleh admitted after the game. "Cadence had not been an issue all camp. Felt like our operation had been operating pretty good. Obviously, today took a major step back."
Indeed, the Jets had only been whistled for a single false start violation throughout the first three weeks. Moreover, their offense had accumulated just eight penalties, tying them for the 10th-fewest across the league. The sharp increase in penalties came at a critical moment, severely impacting their performance. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, renowned for his meticulous attention to detail, also voiced his concerns. "That’s one way to do it. The other way is to hold them accountable. We haven't had an issue," Rodgers remarked. "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."
Field Goal Miss and Missed Opportunities
Compounding the Jets’ struggles, kicker Greg Zuerlein missed a crucial 50-yard field goal with just 51 seconds remaining on the clock. This glaring miss represented a pivotal moment in a tightly contested game, as it snatched away what could have been a game-winning lead. The missed attempt was emblematic of the Jets' day – a collection of almosts and not quites.
Assessment and Accountability
The offensive line's difficulties in maintaining composure and avoiding penalties were apparent, affecting the team's overall rhythm and performance. Rodgers’ frustration was evident as he emphasized the need for accountability and attention to detail. "Aaron is all about the attention to detail," commented former Green Bay Packers receiver Davante Adams. "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."
Former NFL linebacker Luke Kuechly also vouched for Rodgers’ precise methods, highlighting how his hard count had been a powerful tool in the past. "He nailed it: 'my hard count is a weapon.' The amount of big plays, go ask Jordy Nelson," Kuechly noted. Demonstrating how crucial such attention to detail is, he added, "The hard count that Aaron Rodgers has is effective. He would say, 'Yeah, I got paid a lot of money on go balls that Aaron threw me after a defensive lineman jumped offsides.'"
Conclusion
The Jets' loss to the Broncos unveiled several underlying issues that need to be addressed. From the uncharacteristic penalties to the missed opportunities, each element contributed to the narrow defeat. As the season progresses, Head Coach Robert Saleh and Aaron Rodgers must work together to rectify these lapses and restore the discipline that characterized their earlier performances. Accountability, attention to detail, and consistent execution will be critical as the Jets strive to bounce back and contend in the highly competitive NFL landscape.