In a frustrating display marred by penalties, the New York Jets suffered a narrow 10-9 defeat at home against the Denver Broncos. The loss dropped the Jets to a 2-2 record for the 2024 season, calling attention to an area that needs urgent redress: discipline on the field.
Penalty Problems Plague the Jets
Through a series of unforced errors, the Jets recorded an NFL-high 13 penalties during their Week 4 game. This marked a stark departure from their previous games, where they had only logged eight offensive penalties in the first three weeks, tying them for the 10th-fewest in the league. Against the Broncos, however, the Jets' offense alone accounted for eight penalties, second only to the Houston Texans, who had nine.
The bulk of these infractions came from false starts, a problem that appeared out of nowhere. The offense committed five false start penalties; left guard John Simpson and running back Breece Hall were each flagged twice, while left tackle Tyron Smith contributed one. This was an odd anomaly, considering the team had managed just one false start violation in the prior three weeks.
Coaching Staff Reacts
Head coach Robert Saleh pondered the cause of this sudden lapse in discipline. "We’ve got to figure it out. Whether or not we're good enough to handle or ready enough to handle all the cadence. Cadence had not been an issue all camp. Felt like our operation had been operating pretty good. Obviously today took a major step back," he said. It's an assessment that resonates as the Jets look to refine their focus and technique in the coming weeks.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers also weighed in on the unusual number of penalties. "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 Discusses Hard Count as a "Weapon"
The discussion about penalties brings into focus Rodgers’ reputation for using his hard count to manipulate defensive lines. Former NFL linebacker Luke Kuechly praised Rodgers’ use of the hard count, mentioning the rapport with former teammate Jordy Nelson. "He nailed it: 'my hard count is a weapon.' The amount of big plays, go ask Jordy Nelson. 'Hey Jordy, do you think 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.'" This nuanced strategy, however, demands a high level of discipline and synchronization, something the Jets struggled with during this game.
Former Players Emphasize Attention to Detail
Adding to the chorus of voices, former Green Bay Packers receiver Davante Adams emphasized the need for attention to detail when it comes to snap counts. "Aaron is all about the attention to detail. So, snap count, that's attention to detail. 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."
Missed Opportunities and Near Misses
The game was not only marked by penalties but also crucial missed opportunities. Greg Zuerlein had a chance to put the Jets ahead with just 51 seconds left on the clock, but he missed a 50-yard field goal attempt. The failed kick sealed the Jets' fate in a game where they could have secured a narrow victory despite their penalty woes.
As the Jets look forward, addressing these lapses will be vital in tightening their game. The talent is evident, but executing with discipline will be necessary to avoid further frustrating losses. The upcoming weeks will test whether the team can pull together and refine their focus or continue to be undone by self-inflicted wounds.