Three takeaways from Jets' Week 16 loss to L.A. Rams
Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson looks to get past Los Angeles Rams safety Jaylen McCollough during the second half at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. Credit: Lee S. Weissman
1. Garrett Wilson wasn’t involved much and wasn’t happy
The Jets ran 63 offensive plays and Wilson was targeted only seven times, with four coming late in their 19-9 loss to the Rams on Sunday. This is a problem, and it could continue to push him away from wanting to remain with the Jets long term.
Wilson’s frustration with losing and how this season has gone is evident. He was noncommittal when asked about his future as a Jet during the week.
Wilson hates losing and believes he can impact winning. He is the Jets’ leading receiver and is closing in on 1,000 yards for the third straight season after catching six passes for 54 yards Sunday.
“I’m someone who prides myself on winning and playing my part to help the team win,” he said. “Any time we don’t win and I’m not that involved, it’s tough. I’m not going to sit here and say I haven’t been involved. I just think I got more to give.”
The acquisition of Davante Adams has taken some targets away from Wilson. Adams was targeted 13 times Sunday, nearly twice as much as Wilson.
2. The Jets don’t run it enough
Rodgers scoffed at the notion that on cold days you run the ball more than you pass. “Maybe if it was snowing,” he said.
The Jets called only 19 designed runs and Rodgers dropped back 44 times. By contrast, the Rams had 28 designed runs to 19 passes. The Jets’ run defense certainly lends itself to that, as Kyren Williams averaged 5.3 yards on his 23 carries. The Jets could have tried to establish Breece Hall more, but they’ve been more of a passing offense. Hall ran 14 times for 52 yards and hasn’t had a 20-carry game all season.
Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich indicated there were more called runs, but Rodgers changes things because of what he sees from the defense. He said he didn’t really check out of runs and “threw run solutions.”
3. Being aggressive is good, but sometimes just take the points
The Jets (4-11) are playing out the string, so you can’t fault Ulbrich for being aggressive. But he pushed it by becoming Dan Campbell all of a sudden and going for it on fourth down five times. The Jets’ inability to convert cost them. It was surprising that they went for it on fourth-and-1 from their own 33 in the second quarter with a 6-0 lead. Hall was stuffed, and three plays later, the Rams tied it at 6.
Coming out of the half, Ulbrich went for it on fourth-and-4 from the 13 when a field goal would have put the Jets up 12-6. Rodgers’ pass to Adams in the end zone was batted away.
“Hindsight is always 20/20,” Ulbrich said. “I really felt that we were so efficient and doing such a good job on third and fourth down that it was the right thing to do at that point. We had some momentum. I felt like their defense was on their heels a little bit and fatigued after a long drive. I thought we could finish the drive. I was looking for a touchdown.”
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
