Jordan Jenkins: Jets need to fix this situation fast
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) stiff-arms Jets outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins (48) during the first half in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020. Credit: AP/Jeffrey T. Barnes
It’s only Week 2 and the Jets already are facing a must-win.
That’s how Jordan Jenkins feels, and he’s probably not alone after his team looked ill-prepared on both sides of the ball in Sunday’s 27-17 loss to the Bills.
"We got to get everything figured out now. Otherwise it’s just going to be losses after losses after losses," Jenkins said. "You have to give yourself a chance here."
Jenkins speaks from experience. The outside linebacker is in his fifth season with the Jets, and all he’s known is losing season after losing season after losing season.
In his first news conference heading into training camp, Jenkins talked about how tired he is of losing. But the Jets didn’t play that way or show any urgency Sunday in Buffalo.
The offense was dreadful, but Jenkins was upset about the defense giving up touchdowns on three consecutive drives in the first half. He pointed out the many missed tackles and costly penalties. Of the seven third downs the Bills converted, four were on Jets penalties.
"No one wants to go out there and lose," Jenkins said. "If we want to change that, we got to go out there and put action to it. Everyone’s tired of losing. I’m tired of losing. Right now, it’s just words. Sunday, that didn’t show that we’re tired of losing. Right now, it’s word of mouth and we got to fix it."
It doesn’t get any easier. The Jets will play their home opener at MetLife Stadium on Sunday against the NFC champion 49ers, who are stinging from their Week 1 loss to Arizona.
Adam Gase said his players had better study what the 49ers do before the Jets return to practice Wednesday.
"We have to do a good job of getting ahead of it," he said. "My biggest thing the next two days is we got to do a great job of studying an unfamiliar opponent, out of conference. When we come Wednesday, that can’t be the first time that we’re looking at this. We got to put the work in. We have to find a way to really speed up the process as far as our improvement."
Two-minute drill
Gase said inside linebacker Blake Cashman could miss "a couple weeks" with the groin injury he suffered Sunday. Harvey Langi replaced Cashman. Gase didn’t rule out the Jets adding a linebacker. Avery Williamson (hamstring) missed the game and could be out again.
