Jets' Offense Struggles in Loss to Chargers, Frustration Mounts
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - The New York Jets' offensive woes continued in a dispiriting 27-6 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday night, leaving players and coaches alike frustrated and searching for answers.
Wide receiver Garrett Wilson and running back Breece Hall, the Jets' top playmakers, expressed their disappointment after the game. "It's inexcusable, man, and it's getting to the point where it's disappointing," Wilson said. "We've got to start returning the favor to our defense."
The Jets managed only two field goals against the Chargers' 31st-ranked pass defense, snapping their three-game winning streak. They lost three fumbles, allowed eight sacks, and converted only three of 17 third downs. Their third-down success rate of 22% is the lowest in the NFL over the past 45 years.
This lackluster performance is not an isolated incident. The Jets have scored only eight offensive touchdowns for the season, tied for their third fewest in their first eight games in team history.
Quarterback Zach Wilson, who took over for the injured Aaron Rodgers, has shown some improvement in recent weeks, but he took a step backward against the Chargers. He completed 33 of 49 attempts for 263 yards, but he missed open receivers and didn't handle pressure well.
"It wasn't his best game," Jets coach Robert Saleh said. "But I'm not going to say it was his worst game either."
Despite the lack of offensive production, Wilson insists he's not the same quarterback who got benched twice last season. "I feel like I'm a different player," he said. "I feel ready to be out there and be competing, and so that's so frustrating, just not getting things done."
The Jets' offense is currently ranked 30th in points per game and 31st in total yards per game.
"If you aren't angry, I would think something is wrong," said Garrett Wilson. "This is disappointing and it definitely messes with your psyche a little bit, but it's nothing we can't handle. We're professionals. We're going to push through this and it's going to be better on the back end."