After the New York Jets game that saw a first half avalanche against the Cleveland Browns, many were speaking to this team looking as they have in recent memory. For years, the New York Jets have been considered the laughing stock in many aspects of the NFL. However, with some much needed stability appearing to be in the horizon, for the first time in a while, some are expecting for an actual turnaround to be one offseason away.
New York Jets Postgame Comments
New York Jets running back Breece Hall had a poignant message for anyone claiming that the loss last night was an indication of ‘The same old Jets’.
I’ll just tell everybody to get their laughs out now because it’s not going to be like that for the near future. We’re going to be a lot better, so I’m excited to see what we do.
His statements come after what what looking to be a promising start, not just for the New York Jets, but for Hall individually as well. After a shallow crossing route, Hall turned the short completion into a 21 yard touchdown reception, tying the game up 7-7 in the first quarter. While undermanned, it looked like a needed bright spot for an offense that desperately needed to get something going.
From there, the first half was something that the New York Jets are hoping to quickly forget.
New York Jets First Half Letdown
The real story is defensively. Who knows for certain why, but a unit that, coming into the season, was looking to make a statement as one of the NFL’s best, looked completely overwhelmed. Whether, it is that they are overrated, or that the prospect of having to pitch a shutout week after week got to them, it did not look good for the New York Jets defense.
The Cleveland Browns were able to get anything that they wanted, getting 34 points on the scoreboard in the first half. Both by sustaining long drives, and explosive big plays, it was a hard watch for the New York Jets.
However, as the second half was then played out, the bleeding stopped and only two field goals a piece added to the scoring.
New York Jets Place For Optimism
The reason why Hall is likely so confident that the bad times are about to end, is twofold.
This New York Jets defense has some nice pieces on it, and it would be unfair to judge player performances too harshly, considering the multitude of terrible positions that the offense has put them in this year.
But the actual reason for hope is that the New York Jets have had the single worse quarterback room this season. With Aaron Rodgers shortly going down in the infancy of his Jets career, Zach Wilson being told to not play, and Trevor Siemian attempting to salvage his playing time, it’s a hard point to argue.
However, for players like Hall and others, the apparent guaranteed comeback of Rodgers gives the optimism of the Jets only being only a quarterback away. With how Joe Flacco looked at his age, coming out of a brief retirement, will Rodgers be able to have the same affect for his squad next year?