Among the myriad of problems the Jets had Sunday was their inability to get any pressure on Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler. The Jets barely pressured Cutler and it showed with his 357 yards passing. This has been a recurring problem in recent weeks. The Jets got Kerry Collins once in Tennessee and Matt Cassel was able to run all over them in Foxborough.
Eric Mangini wrote off the lack of sacks to playing against good offensive lines recently. He’s right. The Titans and Broncos have given up the least amount of sacks in the NFL. But that excuse goes out the window this week. The 49ers are dreadful at pass protection. Their 43 sacks allowed leaves them 30th in the league.
It’s time for Shaun Ellis, Bryan Thomas and Calvin Pace to get in the backfield and disrupt inexperienced QB Shaun Hill.
Pressure up front might also aid the Jets sickly secondary. The Jets pass defense has been dismal but it isn’t completely on the defensive backs. Cutler had all day to throw and Jets linebackers clearly cannot cover tight ends.
Brett Favre and the offense showed it could win games with its display against St. Louis, New England and Tennessee. A strong defensive effort Sunday would go a long way toward restoring the Jets confidence. They need sacks, turnovers and a dominating performance at Candlestick Park to make people believe this team is for real again.