In the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023, in Las Vegas, linebacker Divine Deablo (5) of the Las Vegas Raiders tackles quarterback Zach Wilson (2) of the New York Jets. (Photo by David Becker/AP)
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NJ’S FLORHAM PARK (AP) — For the past few weeks, Nathaniel Hackett has been attempting to tackle the main issue facing the New York Jets.
The hunt for a solution is still ongoing.
The Jets have yet to score a touchdown in any of their 36 offensive possessions, 11 quarters, and one overtime period. Additionally, it is costing New York chances at winning.
The Jets’ troubled offensive coordinator, Hackett, stated, “I think that you have to identify all the different things that you want to correct and you have to kind of prioritize and then you just got to attack each one individually.” “There are times when we truly enjoy something, but overall it’s not good enough, so we just need to keep working hard.”
An offense-only meeting was held as part of that problem-solving process. Both quarterback Zach Wilson and wide receiver Garrett Wilson stated that it was an opportunity for the players to discuss ideas, let off steam, and work through issues.
I adore it, Hackett exclaimed. “I mean, getting those guys together is the whole point. The coaches are no longer in the field once they cross those lines. To try to prepare them as much as we can, we work all week. We can discuss and discuss and discuss in great detail, but if they don’t take it in and feel it as a group, then it makes no difference what you call or do.
Therefore, I believe that in order for them to bond, they must come together and realize that once these issues are resolved, we will have the chance to move the ball and score more points.
This season, that has mostly been a pointless endeavor.
New York has only scored eight touchdowns on offense in its last nine games coming into its game on Sunday against AFC East rival Buffalo. Zach Wilson completed the final one with a short pass to running back Breece Hall, who took it 50 yards for a touchdown.
Wilson almost had one last Sunday in New York’s 16-12 loss at Las Vegas when he reached over the goal line, but stepped out out bounds at the 3. Hall appeared to run it in on the next play, but it was negated by a holding penalty. The Jets, as they have so often this season, settled for a field goal.
When Antonio Pierce prepares his Las Vegas Raiders for their Week 11 road game against the Miami Dolphins this Sunday, he was forthright about what lies ahead for his team.
During his midweek media availability, the interim head coach stated, “Yeah, we’re getting our track shoes on.”
With 285 points and 3,918 yards total, Mike McDaniel’s Dolphins have the best offense in the league in terms of both scoring points and accumulating yards. That ranks first among the 32 teams, as McDaniel’s well-planned offense has scored 17 touchdowns on the ground and 20 passing touchdowns, which leads the league. This offense is just as explosive and adaptable, which is why the visiting Raiders are worried about a lot of things.
“That’s the kind of game it’s going to be — explosive, well-coached,” Pierce noted. “They put a good team together across the board, even on the defensive side of the ball. We’re going to have our hands full. Obviously, we are going to have to play our best football, but this is an extreme challenge for our team and we’re looking forward to it.”
Although Pierce’s ability to guide Las Vegas was put to the test by the two New York teams that visited Allegiant Stadium in the previous weeks, the Miami game will serve as a true gauge of just how much better the Silver & Black are under Pierce’s tutelage. Are the Raiders getting closer to playing with elite teams (Miami leads the AFC East with a 6-3 record overall) or are they still a long way from forcing the best teams to sweat?
After Sunday’s trip to the East Coast, we’ll find out.
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