The New York Jets lit up the scoreboard in Week 1, dropping 32 points on the Pittsburgh Steelers behind Justin Fields and an explosive offense that produced 11 big plays. It was the kind of performance Jets fans have been waiting for — fast, dynamic, and aggressive.
But for all the offensive fireworks, the defense struggled mightily. Aaron Rodgers carved them up for four touchdown passes, exposing coverage issues and discipline lapses that could haunt the team moving forward. Penalties, blown assignments, and a costly special teams turnover swung momentum in a game the Jets ultimately lost 34-32.
That sets the stage for this week’s divisional showdown against the Buffalo Bills. The question is simple: Was Week 1’s offensive surge a fluke, or are the Jets for real?
Offense: A New Identity Emerging?
Coordinator Tanner Engstrand’s goal is clear — he wants the Jets to hit at least eight explosive plays per game. In the opener, they had 11, proving the philosophy can work. Fields’ ability to extend plays with his legs and attack downfield gives this team a dynamic look they’ve lacked in years past.
If the Jets can replicate that success against a tough Bills defense, it may silence doubts about whether the Week 1 outburst was just a one-off.
Defense: Fixing What Went Wrong
The defense must respond after Rodgers lit them up. Miscommunication, penalties, and weak run fits were costly against Pittsburgh. Against Josh Allen, that margin for error shrinks even further. Without significant improvement, Buffalo has the firepower to exploit the same weaknesses.
Injuries to Watch
The Jets enter Week 2 banged up, particularly in the secondary:
- Sauce Gardner (groin) – Limited in practice; if not 100%, the Bills could attack deep.
- Michael Carter II (shoulder) – Nickel corner’s absence would leave a major hole in coverage.
- Josh Reynolds (hamstring) – Depth at wide receiver tested if he’s sidelined.
- Mason Taylor (ankle) – TE’s versatility on offense may be limited.
- Kene Nwangwu (hamstring) – Return duties uncertain.
- Jay Tufele (illness) – Defensive line depth hit if unavailable.
Buffalo has its own injury concerns, but for the Jets, keeping key defenders healthy is critical if they want to avoid another shootout.
The Verdict
The Bills game is the ultimate litmus test. If the Jets put up points again and show defensive improvement, they’ll prove they belong in the AFC East conversation. If not, Week 1’s fireworks may be remembered as fool’s gold.