Derailed in Dallas

Aaron Rodgers or not, Jets Head Coach Robert Saleh knew that going into Dallas in Week 2 was going to be a difficult task and a 30-10 loss to the Cowboys proved it. However, the Jets showed their fans there is hope for 2023.

 

The matchup of two of the NFL’s best defenses did not disappoint, the difference at AT&T Stadium was the Cowboys (2-0) ability to maintain possession over the Jets (1-1) by a 2-1 margin. The Jets 46 plays to the Cowboys 83 and the time of possession 42:15 to 17:45 was too much for any team to overcome.

 

The Jets inability to run the ball was a major factor as the first play of the game set the tone as DE
Demarcus Lawrence stuffed RB Breece Hall for a two-yard loss, quite the opposite of the 26-yard burst
last week against the Bills.

Hall managed only four carries for nine yards and Dalvin Cook four carries for seven yards and for Gang
Green to be successful the running must produce more. QB Zach Wilson was 12-27 for 170 yards and did connect with WR Garrett Wilson on a 68 yard strike which closed the gap to 10-7 in the second qty. The first and only TD the Dallas D has allowed in two games. Wilson finished with two catches for 83 yards and TE Tyler Conklin led the way with five catches for 50 yards.

The Jets defense was able to hold its own in the second half as the Cowboys managed only four field
goals. Dak Prescott found Ceedee Lamb 11 times for 143 yards and overall Prescott was 31-38 for 255
and two td’s, both to his TE’s Luke Shoonmaker and Jake Ferguson. Gang Green was able to hold RB
Tony Pollard to only 72 yards on 25 carries for an average of 2.9 yards per carry, far below his career
average of 5.0

Cowboys LB Micah Parsons was playing faster than anyone on the field and he was the main reason the
Jets struggled. Parsons was credited with two sacks and a force fumble, but it was his constant pressure
against the pass and run that forced Wilson into three interceptions.

The Jets cannot make mistakes playing against elite teams and the Chiefs and Eagles will be two of those
teams on their schedule in the next four weeks. The Jets return to METLIFE to face division rival New
England in Week 3. Zach Wilson is 0-4 lifetime versus the Patriots with two touchdowns and seven
interceptions and an overall passer rating of 50.6. This week will be crucial for the Jets as they need to
stay undefeated in conference play and stay on track for their goal of reaching the playoffs in 2023.