3 takeaways from Jets vs. Jaguars in NFL Week 15
New York Jets safety Malachi Moore (27) tackles Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Quintin Morris (80) after a catch during the second half of an NFL football game on Dec. 14, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. Credit: AP/John Raoux
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jets were steamrolled by the Jaguars. Here are three takeaways from their 48-20 loss:
1. The defense was deplorable
This was the second straight game in which the defense didn’t show up from the beginning. The Jets gave up 31 points in the first half. This is on defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, head coach Aaron Glenn and all of the players.
They showed no fight or pride in this game. The Jets allowed the Jaguars to score on eight of their first nine possessions, and six of them were touchdowns.
Glenn, the former defensive coordinator for the Lions, should be considering taking the play-calling duties away from Wilks. He said he isn’t, though.
“I brought Wilks in for a reason,” Glenn said. “I want him to run his system. We have three games left. All right, three games left for all guys to go out there and play. And I will tell you this: Right now it’s not about the X’s-and-O’s across the board. It’s about the character of the men on this team. That’s what I’m evaluating.”
2. The defense didn’t show up in the locker room, either
After this kind of performance, the veterans and leaders on the defense need to speak and be held accountable. Some didn’t.
Edge rusher Jermaine Johnson, who was part of a front that applied little pressure on Trevor Lawrence, said “not today” when approached at his locker.
The Jets had no sacks and only two quarterback hits. Johnson finished with two tackles.
Quincy Williams, who usually stands up and speaks to reporters, also declined to speak.
“I have nothing positive to say, so I’m not doing any media,” he said. “But I appreciate y’all.”
Williams had four tackles, including one for a loss, but he had a rough day in pass coverage. He was the closest defender on all three of running back Travis Etienne’s touchdown catches.
“I’m not about to sit here and single one person out,” Glenn said. “I think there was a number of guys that had some issues. Also, we got to look at ourselves as coaches, too. Did we put them in the right position to go out there and make plays?”
3. Brady Cook had a blast — to a point
After making his NFL debut last week, Cook got his first start on Sunday.
“It was a blast,” he said. “It was fun. It’s a game I love. I was honored to take the field as a New York Jet.”
Evaluating his performance is difficult because the undrafted rookie has had to play from behind in both games and without some of the Jets’ best playmakers.
The Jets trailed the Dolphins 21-0 last week when Cook came in for the injured Tyrod Taylor. On Sunday, it was 14-0 before the Jets recorded their first first down.
Also, the Jets were missing their two leading pass-catchers, Garrett Wilson and Mason Taylor. The Jaguars loaded up to stop Breece Hall, and they did.
“We felt ready to win,” Cook said. “We all did. I did. It’s disappointing.”
Cook had some memorable moments and forgettable ones. He threw an interception in the end zone for the third time in two games. The Jets’ initial first down came on a nice throw by Cook on the move. On that same drive, he threw his first touchdown pass, a 9-yarder to Adonai Mitchell.
“Incredible moment. Incredible moment,” Cook said. “That’s a moment I won’t forget.”
Mitchell took the ball from the official, brought it to the sideline and gave it to Cook.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
