The New York Jets took on the Jacksonville Jaguars in a Week 8 matchup that made Adam Gase look awful and Gardner Minshew elite.
While this game might not speak volumes to the early playoff bubble (as it was never once competitive), it does have quite the impact on the Jets’ future. After the game, multiple reports came out saying star running back Le’Veon Bell and star safety Jamal Adams were on the trade block, along with wide receiver Robby Anderson.
However, I think not enough attention has been brought to Adam Gase and his decisions this year. If there is any head coach in the NFL who should be on the hot seat, it is Gase and his head-scratching choices.
On the contrary, the Jaguars find their situation one to be envied by fans across the league. After above-average performances by Gardner Minshew, a quarterback debate has already begun. Nick Foles was sidelined with a broken clavicle in Week 1 and is reported to come back at the earliest Week 11. Jacksonville stated earlier this week that Minshew would not be traded and that no sudden decisions would be made. All of this attention brings reason to suspect a late-season change could be in order, depending on the team’s position in their division.
Early in the first quarter, Minshew connected with wide receiver Keelan Cole for a six-yard pass, resulting in a touchdown, after a four-play, 77-yard drive by the Jaguars’ offense. Josh Lambo missed the extra point, making it 6-0. After just five more minutes of play, the Jets found the scoreboard. In a drive totaling 12 plays and 93 yards, Ryan Griffin caught a 24-yard touchdown pass from Sam Darnold. The Jets were up 7-6 as time was close to expiring in the first quarter. However, with just one minute left, Chris Conley busted a 70-yard touchdown pass, quickly setting a new tone to the game to make it 13-7 in favor of the Jags.
After a series of ghost-related jokes among the Jacksonville faithful, including their mascot Jaxon, who seen was dressed in a Charlie Brown-like ghost costume, the Jags went up 22-7. All of the points came off the back of kicker Josh Lambo, who had earlier missed an extra point but now found his rhythm.
Entering the final quarter, the Jets had not had an offensive drive resulting in a score since the first quarter, mainly due to the three interceptions by Sam Darnold. However, Ryan Griffin had found his way back onto the stat sheet with another touchdown pass to bring the score within seven, with 13 minutes left in the fourth. Another false hope for Jets fan as the Jaguars closed the game was an eight-yard pass to D.J. Chark to put the score to 29-15 with the Jaguars on top.
While the Jets stuck around, it would be over the top to say they were competitive. The Jaguars had an efficient offense and a shutdown defense even without cornerback Jalen Ramsey, while the Jets had a lackluster offense and a depressing defense of “what if’s.”
