The Jets (4-6) will remain in the division and host the AFC East-leading Dolphins (7-3) in the NFL’s inaugural Black Friday game, five days after taking a beating at Buffalo.
The Jets have lost three straight games, outscoring their opponents 75-25, after having a 4-3 start. Tim Boyle took over at quarterback on Monday for head coach Robert Saleh, who switched starting quarterbacks while Aaron Rodgers keeps making progress in his ongoing recuperation.
“No Test Without Testimony”
Team captain C.J. Mosley addressed accountability early in the week in anticipation of a crucial meeting with the division leaders.
“I won’t lie to you, this one hurt, especially for me,” Mosley said after the team’s 26-point loss in Western New York last Sunday. All we need to do is acknowledge where we are. I have to be aware of the situation I’m in. I proudly display the Captain on my chest. That was a difficult pill for me to swallow because it had been a while since our defense was compromised in such a way.
I signed up for this challenge, as did many of us, even though I didn’t wake up particularly hungry, didn’t feel particularly hungry, or sleep well.”
Mosley and the defense are in for a fight against what appears to be the best offense in the NFL. The ‘Fins lead the league in red-zone efficiency (73.5%), passing (291 yards per game), scoring (30.5 points per game), and rush offense (143 yards per game) as well. With a defense ranked third in offensive touchdowns allowed (17), fourth in yards per play (4.7), and fifth in red-zone efficiency (41.4%), the Jets counter.
“This is a big test for us and there is no testimony without a test, as I have said before,” Mosley stated. As a result, we must defend ourselves in the same arrogant manner that we always have. When we suffer setbacks like this, we must remain humble and take responsibility for our actions. We must ensure that we are mentally prepared and prepared to play on Friday because there is another team that can score a lot of points.
Saleh believes in the mentality of a team that has suffered numerous injuries along the offensive line and will start its third quarterback against Miami. Trevor Siemian will backup Boyle.
Zach Wilson will suit up as the team’s backup quarterback after making 10 appearances.
Saleh remarked, “I think our group has a lot of confidence.” “On offense, it is very, very young. Its youth has rapidly increased on the attacking end of the court.”
The Jets will take the field alongside the Dolphins in Week 11 with the theme “Recapturing the Juice and Energy.” Although the team hasn’t had much to cheer about lately, Saleh wants his group to enjoy what they do. “The overarching message — and I will speak for all 32 teams – you have to have fun getting out there and playing and embracing the opportunity to be an NFL player, to have a chance to fulfill our dreams when we were little,” the third-year head coach said.
“Therefore, even in the locker room, we get to get up, go to meetings, practice, and play in front of hundreds of thousands of people—whether it’s on TV or in the stands—regardless of how difficult things get, how much you feel like the world is against you, or how much your body aches. Basically, we just need to bring back the enthusiasm and vigor that, at least in this building, our group is known for. In general, there’s still a lot of energy and enthusiasm.”
The Dolphins are a team that has a lot of bounce, so the Jets will need to stay sharp. Although Miami hasn’t won the division since 2008, it leads the Bills by 1.5 games. The next four games for the ‘Fins are against teams with records below.500, two of which are against the Jets (the teams meet in South Florida on December 17). Boyle, who will likely start behind the Jets’ eighth different starting lineup due to LT Mekhi Becton’s ankle injury, will be making his fourth career start against a defense that is improving thanks to Jalen Ramsey’s return to the lineup. Ramsey has three interceptions and three touchdowns in five games.
Boyle told reporters he wants to have a “dangerous” mindset. “I think my priority this week is going to be getting the ball out on time, not trying to take sacks,” he said. “So, I believe that the key is to just get the ball into the hands of our playmakers, let them enjoy themselves, and maintain our pace. I want to score some points by getting into the red zone.”
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