The Jets headed into their bye week on a high, after a two-game winning streak improved their record to 3-3.
Despite the devastating injury to quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the opener and another season-ending injury to stud offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker, the Jets have proven their mettle against some of the league’s top teams by beating the Bills and Eagles, and almost beating the Super Bowl champion Chiefs.
However, they were also flying high heading into the bye week last year at 6-3, only to flounder down the stretch.
Here are the biggest stories to watch as the Jets look for better results after the bye this time around…
Can the Jets perform better early in games?
The Jets have battled well in the second half of games all year, but they don’t make things easy on themselves with their constant slow starts. The team has trailed by double-digits in the first half of all six games so far.
The problems start right from their opening drive, where the Jets have been forced to punt all six times. In fact, they’ve only had two first downs on their six opening drives. One of these was a Breece Hall run on the very first offensive snap of the season and the other was on a defensive penalty in Week 6.
Gang Green has yet to score a first-quarter touchdown and their only early lead was when they went 3-0 up on the Broncos after a muffed punt, only to then go 7-3 down on the ensuring drive.
Zach Wilson is averaging 27 passing yards in the first quarter of games but 52 in the second, third, and fourth quarters. Can they give themselves a better platform and a better margin for error against some of these supposedly easier upcoming opponents?
Are we going to see more from top rookie Will McDonald?
While the Jets’ defense has kept them in games, first-round rookie McDonald has been a disappointment. He’s barely played in the first six games, was a healthy scratch once and has only flashed a couple of times since the preseason.
On any other team, McDonald would be…
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