The Jets first win was a massive loss: Here’s all the reasons why
The New York Jets’ 23-20 win over the Los Angeles Rams in Los Angeles sent shock waves through the NFL. Not only was it the Jets’ first win of the season, but they also beat arguably the best defense in the league. The broadcasters dubbed the game as the biggest upset of the season.
The Jets outplayed Los Angeles, and it stunned them throughout the first half. The Rams came back to make the game close in the second half and cut their deficit to three, but offensive penalties kept them from taking the lead late in the game. The win managed to snap an impressive streak for the Rams. While at home, The Rams had not allowed a team to score a touchdown in the second half all season.
The football gods blessed the Jets this week. However, “God giveth and God taketh away,” and they were probably the bigger losers from the game.
What was at stake?
There was a lot at stake in the game. For the Los Angeles Rams, it was their playoff spot and their short reign over the NFC West. They were first in their division and third in the playoffs before the game. After the loss, they dropped two spots and are no longer divisional champs. However, they can still win the division in week 16 if they can beat the Seattle Seahawks.
The New York Jets had something more significant at stake. While not exclusively at stake last night, the Jets’ opportunities to avoid a winless season were dwindling away. Only five teams have ever gone winless in a season.
The Jets lost their No. 1 overall pick in next year’s draft to the Jacksonville Jaguars. It was a joke all season that the Jets were tanking for the project No. 1 pick Trevor Lawrence, the quarterback for the Clemson Tigers.
How did the Jets lose the No. 1 pick?
The Jets lost their hold on the No. 1 overall pick with a win. They now tie with the Jacksonville Jaguars with a 1-13 record. According to ESPN, if both teams lose both of their final games, the Jaguars win the tiebreaker for the pick based on their strength of schedule.
The Jaguars have played a slightly weaker schedule. Through 15 weeks, the Jets are 1-9 against teams .500 or above compared to the Jaguars 1-8. It really means the Jaguars have played one less team above .500. Even with a weaker schedule, the Jets still have the worst point differential. The Jets sit at -207 & the Jaguars at -148.
What’s wrong with No. 2 overall?
There is nothing wrong with picking No. 2 overall when you went 1-16 the previous season. However, the Jets need a quarterback even if Sam Darnold looked great against the Rams.
Their best option is Trevor Lawrence from the Clemson Tigers. He was the project 2021 No. 1 overall pick last season as a sophomore. He’s averaged 3,232.2 yards & 26 touchdowns per season in three seasons and has missed games this season. He is a superstar talent in a league of his own compared to other quarterback prospects.
The Jets have been in a long hunt for their next franchise quarterback. They thought they got one in Sam Darnold when they drafted him third in 2018. However, he hasn’t panned out. Darnold wasn’t as dominant in college as Lawrence. He only played two seasons and averaged more yards per season, but only 11 touchdowns per season.
The Jaguars are also in need of a franchise quarterback. They currently have Gardner Minshew & Mike Glennon, but they are more like Band-Aids than permanent fixes. It’s also likely Jacksonville will take Lawrence if awarded the No. 1 pick.
However, there is a chance Lawrence goes to neither team. He is a junior, so he doesn’t have to declare for the draft and stay at Clemson for an additional season. There are pros and cons to declaring early. In his case, a pro is he wouldn’t go to either team, but a con is he risks getting injured. Depending on the severity of the injury, it could drop his draft position or end his hopes of going to the NFL.
