With the way the Jets have played defense under Rex Ryan, you have to assume New York has the edge in that phase of the game regardless of whom they play. That was far from the case on Sunday when Mark Sanchez and company lost to the Green Bay Packers, 9-0.
Green Bay’s defense was dominant at the New Meadowlands on Sunday. The Packers’ D was able to force three turnovers on a day when their offense scored no touchdowns, but protected the football. Green Bay also benefited from a Jets offense that couldn’t do anything from the opening kickoff through the final whistle.
When New York tried throw it, the Packers defensive backs were there to make a play on the ball. Mark Sanchez threw two interceptions and looked flustered for the better part of the game. When Rex Ryan decided to go away from Sanchez and into the wildcat, Brad Smith lost a fumble. Ryan even opted to try a fake punt early in the game deep in his own territory and came up short. The Jets defense bailed the offense out by holding the Packers to a field goal, but it didn’t matter on a day when New York couldn’t put a point in the board.
Sunday’s game in New Jersey was a perfect example of how a defense can only take a team so far. Nine points should never be enough to win a game, but New York’s offense allowed it to be.
