Jets offensive struggles continue in blowout loss to Justin Herbert, Chargers

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.Y. — The Jets have “embarrassed” several top quarterbacks in the league this year, according to coach Robert Saleh.

Although Gang Green held one of the best offenses in check, it still wasn’t enough to come away with the victory on Monday Night Football.

The Chargers (4-4) defeated the Jets (4-4) 27-6 on a cool, 50-degree night at MetLife Stadium on a night Darrelle Revis was honored at halftime.

Everything that could have gone wrong for the Jets did during the first 13 minutes of the game. Los Angeles first scored on an 87-yard punt return touchdown by rookie wide receiver Derius Davis less than two minutes into the contest. Then, two fumbles by Garrett Wilson and Zach Wilson stalled two Jets drives.

Los Angeles eventually turned one of those fumbles into its second touchdown on the night on an Austin Ekeler one-yard run. The Jets defense held the Chargers offense to just 13 points after trailing 14-0 early, but an anemic offense, which turned the ball over three times, was ultimately their downfall.

The Jets trailed 17-3 at halftime and they were trying to come back after trailing at the break for the fourth straight game. However, this time, the Jets couldn’t perform any late-game magic.

The Chargers put the game on ice after sacking Wilson for a seventh time as Khalil Mack registered a strip sack and safety Alohi Gilman recovered and took that ball to the two-yard line. That later set up Ekeler’s second touchdown. He finished with 47 yards on 14 carries.

Since he replaced Aaron Rodgers, who tore his Achilles in Week 1, Wilson has been praised for his decision-making. But on Monday, he held the ball too long, which led to three fumbles and seven sacks. It also didn’t help the Jets were featuring another change on their offensive line.

Billy Turner started at right tackle and Max Mitchell moved from right tackle to right guard after injuries to Connor McGovern (knee) and Wes Schweitzer (calf) in last weekend’s game against the Giants. Joe Tippmann also started at center for the first time this season.

Wilson finished the night completing 32 of 49 passes for 259 yards. With the lack of a passing game, the Chargers defense was prepared to slow down the run and they did for the most part. Jets running back Breece Hall rushed for 50 yards on 16 carries. And this was against a Chargers defense that came into the game ranked 31st in total defense (390.9).

The Jets hoped Monday night would be the beginning of the team’s offense, finally turning a corner, but that didn’t happen. The team made the same mental errors and mistakes they had all year.

The Jets converted 3-of-15 third-down opportunities. They entered the game ranking last in third-down conversions and red zone touchdown percentage.

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert completed 16 of 30 passes for 136 yards. Los Angeles entered the game ranked eighth in total offense (362.4) and ninth in points per game 24.9.

Penalties were also a problem for the Jets as they committed eight for 40 yards. It was a rough night for Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard had three of those along with dropping a pass. He finished with two catches for 18 yards.

The Jets’ defense had another masterful performance against another one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL. Earlier this season, the Jets defense held Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts to a combined 719 yards, three touchdowns and eight interceptions. This led to Saleh saying the Jets have “embarrassed all of them.”

The Jets’ defense has been the team’s calling card through the first seven games. They entered the night not allowing a 300-yard passer in 25 consecutive games, the second-longest streak in the NFL (Saints, 30).

Gang Green’s defense did its part to keep the game close. They sacked Herbert five times and held the Chargers to 191 yards of total offense.

At halftime, former Jets cornerback Revis received his Hall of Fame Ring after he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 last August. He played for the Jets from 2007-2012, and 2015-16.

The Jets will travel three time zones to play the Raiders in Las Vegas on Sunday Night Football. The Chargers will return home to host the Lions.