10 biggest surprise NFL teams thus far on the season
By Andrew Garda
New York Jets: 2-0
The New York Jets were supposed to beat the Cleveland Browns, and once they got over some early jitters, they did so. But they weren’t supposed to beat the Indianapolis Colts, especially a Colts team that had lost a surprising game to the Buffalo Bills.
Win they did, though, as the defense hammered at Andrew Luck until he fell apart and turned the ball over four times.
What’s surprising about this Jets team is not the defense though, it’s the offense. While it remains a bit inconsistent (particularly when it comes to offensive coordinator Chan Gailey’s play-calling tendencies), it has been effective and managed to put some solid points on the board over the first two games.
They face the winless Philadelphia Eagles this weekend and should be able to continue their winning ways against a reeling Eagles team. Defensively, they are on fire, generating five-plus turnovers a game in the first two games – something not done since the 1992 Pittsburgh Steelers, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
They need to keep carrying the offense right now, because of things like the injuries to Eric Decker and Chris Ivory and some odd play calling from Gailey.
When the Jets started throwing the ball against Indianapolis, they moved it well. However, if the defense had grown tired or made mistakes, things could have gone sideways for the Jets.
Ultimately, that’s the Achilles Heel that New York needs to avoid getting torn. They have to find a way to be better offensively, to play to their strengths, and neither get cute, nor conservative.
Gailey is a solid coordinator, so that should be what happens. Ultimately though, if it doesn’t, the Jets have a real problem.
Next: Seattle Seahawks: 0-2