5 things to watch as Jets return from bye week

The Jets soared into their bye week with momentum, riding a two-game winning streak that boosted their record to an even 3-3.

Despite the devastating loss of star quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the season opener, as well as the season-ending injury to standout offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker, the Jets have showcased their resilience by defeating top teams like the Bills and Eagles, and even coming close to a victory against the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Chiefs.

However, it’s important to note that last year during the bye week, they were also sitting pretty at 6-3 before stumbling throughout the rest of the season.

Let’s delve into the key storylines that will shape the Jets’ performance after this bye week…

Can the Jets ignite a stronger start in games?

The Jets have displayed impressive comebacks in the second half of games all season long, but their slow starts consistently put them in difficult positions. In fact, they have trailed by double-digit points in the first half of every single game so far.

The issues begin right from their opening drive, where the Jets have been forced to punt on all six occasions. Remarkably, they have only achieved two first downs during these opening drives. One of those first downs came from a powerful Breece Hall run on the very first offensive play of the season, while the other was a result of a defensive penalty in Week 6.

Gang Green has yet to score a touchdown in the first quarter, with their only brief lead occurring when they went 3-0 up against the Broncos after a muffed punt, only to squander it and fall behind on the ensuing drive.

Interestingly, Zach Wilson has averaged just 27 passing yards in the first quarter of games, compared to an impressive 52 yards in the following quarters. Can the Jets establish a stronger foundation and a larger margin for error against supposedly easier opponents in the upcoming schedule?

Will top rookie Will McDonald make a bigger impact?

While the Jets’ defense has kept them competitive, their first-round rookie McDonald has yet to make a significant impression. He has seen minimal playing time in the first six games, even being a healthy scratch once, and has only displayed glimpses of his potential since the preseason.

On any other team, McDonald might have received more opportunities, but the Jets have impressive depth on the defensive line, especially with the outstanding performances of Jermaine Johnson and Bryce Huff this season.

Fortunately, when McDonald has been on the field, he has demonstrated promise and has not seemed overwhelmed. However, he will require more chances to increase his productivity. The Jets are hopeful that after the bye week, McDonald will flourish, and they are eager to see his growth despite limited playing time potentially hindering his progress.

Can the defense sustain its current turnover rate?

One of the key factors contributing to the Jets’ downfall in the latter part of last season was their inability to generate turnovers. They entered the bye week with 14 turnovers in nine games but managed just two turnovers in the final eight games, with only one turnover occurring during their six-game losing streak to conclude the season.

However, this season has witnessed a resurgence in their ability to force turnovers, accumulating 13 turnovers in the first six games, with 10 of them coming against three of the NFL’s top teams: the Chiefs, Eagles, and Bills. Hopefully, this time will be different as the Jets’ offense has shown improvement, discouraging opponents from playing conservatively and awaiting mistakes.

It would greatly benefit the Jets if players like Sauce Gardner and DJ Reed could start intercepting passes. Despite their exceptional performances over the past season and a half, neither of them has recorded an interception in over a year.

Will the Jets be active in the trade deadline?

The trade deadline falls just two days after the Jets’ upcoming game against their crosstown rivals, the Giants. If the Jets can secure a victory and improve their record to 4-3, they might be enticed to explore opportunities to strengthen their roster before the deadline.

Adding a dynamic playmaker to their lineup or upgrading a position of weakness could potentially propel them closer to reaching the postseason.

Regardless of the outcome against the Giants, the Jets might also consider moving surplus players to acquire additional draft assets. Recent reports suggest that Carl Lawson and Dalvin Cook could be on the trading block. Such moves could save the team some money and create more playing time opportunities for McDonald and the promising rookie Israel Abanikanda.

Pending free agents striving for a strong finish

Looking ahead to 2024, the Jets face the challenge of several significant contributors becoming free agents at the end of the season. Consequently, they must evaluate whether to re-sign or find replacements for these players.

One of the notable impending free agents is Huff, alongside tackle Mekhi Becton and safety Jordan Whitehead. A strong finish from this trio could enhance their market value and attract numerous suitors if they decide to test free agency.

Ultimately, the Jets must determine the priority level for each player and their willingness to invest in retaining them. Their decisions may rely on their confidence in current rookies such as McDonald, Carter Warren, and Jarrick Bernard-Converse to assume larger roles in the following season.