By Shara Talia Taylor
The New York Jets have a few things to work out after a 25-6 loss to the New England Patriots last Sunday.
It was a difficult home opener for the New York, as they were defeated by New England at Metlife stadium. Several interceptions and penalties contributed to the loss.
“I thought our guys played their butts off, but when you lose the turnover battle 4-0, it’s impossible,” said head Coach Robert Saleh in the press conference following the game. “It’s hard enough to win in this league when the turnover battle is even. When it’s down four, it’s darn near impossible.”
Rookie QB Zach Wilson threw the four interceptions. Coach Saleh said he told Wilson to believe in himself and to shake it off after the game. “There are just some fundamental things that he needs to understand with regards to taking care of the ball,” he said. Saleh was said Wilson was confident and would learn from this game.
The Patriots took advantage of the Jets mistakes. Three of Wilsons four interceptions were in the first half of the game. Jets managed to get on the scoreboard with a lone field goal by kicker Matt Ammendola in the second quarter, but Jets trailed 13-3 at half time. New York did not improve much in the third quarter. Patriots managed a fourth interception and a quarterback sack. Ammendola also missed a field goal. Ammendola kicked another field goal in the fourth quarter before the game ended 25-6.
Wilson completed 19 of 33 passes for 210 yds. Patriots QB Mac Jones had 22 of 30 completed passes for 186 yds. “I’ve got to do a better job executing, decision making, just being smart with the ball,” Wilson said about the interceptions. “Turnovers are a big deciding factor in winning games and I thought our defense played well and I’ve got to do a better job executing.”
Coach Robert Saleh was pleased with defense.
“I thought C.J. (Mosley) showed up,” he said. “All of them showed up. John-Franklin Myers, Sheldon Rankins, Quinnen Williams. They played hard and there was not quit. Even the last drive in the fourth quarter, ball on the five, first-and-goal.”
Jets defense had 37 total tackles and three sacks. Patriots defense had 42 total tackles and four sacks. New York had eight penalties and New England had six.
The Jets now 0-2 travel to Denver this weekend to face the Broncos, now 2-0, led by QB Teddy Bridgewater. The Jets traded Bridgewater to the New Orleans Saints in 2018.
