Jets' defense sinks to new low in 48-20 loss to Jaguars

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. —   An abysmal performance by coordinator Steve Wilks’ group   led to the Jets’ humiliating 48-20 loss to the Jaguars on Sunday at EverBank Stadium.

The Jets (3-11) allowed Jacksonville (10-4) to score on eight of its first nine possessions, and the embattled Wilks had no answers. This was the most points the Jets have given up in a game since 2021. The Jaguars scored their most points since 2007.

“We can’t lose games like that,” Aaron Glenn said. “It is unacceptable.”

Trevor Lawrence threw a career-high five touchdown passes and ran for another TD. He was 20-for-32 for 330 yards and rushed for a team-high 51 yards. The Jets had no pass rush and finished with two quarterback hits and no sacks.

“It’s really hard to explain,” Glenn said. “That’s part of the reason I’m somewhat [angry] at that. We got to get better at that.”

When he was asked if he will take over the defensive play-calling duties, he said he wouldn’t. But the Jets have allowed 82 points the past two games and lost by 52. They   gave up 31 in the first half  Sunday and trailed by 21 at the break.

“We just don’t go out there and show up,” linebacker Jamien Sherwood said.

Quincy Williams and Jermaine Johnson declined to speak to the media after the game. Sherwood said losing this way “hurts” and that it’s up to the players to change things.

“The men who step out on that field, they have to be willing to play, they have to be willing to fight no matter what the score looks like,” Sherwood said. “You have to have pride about the name that’s on the front of your jersey and you’re also playing for the name on the back of your jersey.”

The Jets, who were officially eliminated from playoff contention for the 15th consecutive year last Sunday, still have no interceptions this season. It’s the longest streak to start a season and matched the longest over two years.

This was Jets quarterback Brady Cook’s first NFL start, as Tyrod Taylor (groin) and Justin Fields (knee) were unable to play. Cook, an undrafted rookie, made some nice throws but also threw his third end-zone interception in two games.

“Miscommunication,” Cook said. “I need to put the ball out of the end zone. Throw it away, put the ball out of the end zone, move on, play for the next down.”

Cook completed 22 of 33 passes for 176 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. With three games remaining, Glenn could decide to stick with him as his starter and Adrian Martinez as the backup.

“When you give up that many points, that’s tough,” Glenn said. “It doesn’t allow our quarterback to actually get in a groove, doesn’t allow our offense to get in the groove . . . I thought Brady did some good things, but again, he was in a bad situation. We had to probably get the ball up in the air more than we wanted to.”

Isaiah Davis had a rushing touchdown and Adonai Mitchell a receiving touchdown for the Jets. Breece Hall never got untracked, totaling 37 yards on 14 touches.

Jaguars running back Travis Etienne caught three touchdown passes and finished with 103 scrimmage yards.

The Jets’ first defensive series of the game was a sign of what was to come. Wilks’ unit put up no resistance as the Jaguars went 72 yards on nine plays and never faced a third down. Brian Thomas Jr. caught a 4-yard touchdown pass to make it 7-0.

The offense started even worse. Hall was tackled for a 3-yard loss on first down. The Jets went for it on fourth-and-1 from their 44, but Hall was brought down for a 6-yard loss. Five plays later, Lawrence ran 15 yards for a touchdown.

On the Jets’ next drive, Cook completed all four of his passes for 39 yards and his first NFL touchdown, a 9-yard pass to Mitchell.

Another Jacksonville series, another touchdown. The Jaguars went up 21-7 on Lawrence’s 16-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open Bhayshul Tuten.

After the defense finally got a stop, Isaiah Williams had a 49-yard return for a touchdown that was called back because of an illegal block by Tre Brown. The Jets settled for a 41-yard field goal by Nick Folk.

Jacksonville took a 24-10 lead on Cam Little’s 33-yard field goal with 1:33 left in the half, and the Jets gave the ball right back. Cook was picked off at the Jets’ 47 and Lawrence threw his third touchdown pass of the half, a 20-yarder to Etienne with 21 seconds to go.

“I’m not putting all the blame on players,” Glenn said. “There’s a lot of blame that goes around when you give up that many points as a team. It’s not good.”

By Al Iannazzone

al.iannazzone@newsday.comAl_Iannazzone

Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.