Ron Rivera, Commanders Know Jets Pass Defense Presents Tough Challenge

While the New York Jets have one of the worst offenses in the sport, the Washington Commanders will face a strong pass defense in Week 16.

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers will not return from his achilles injury this season, and backup Zach Wilson remains in concussion protocol. The 201 points the Jets have scored this season under offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett's tutelage are 30th in the NFL. 

So, in theory, a Week 16 matchup with the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium is as good of a time for the Washington Commanders to snap a five-game losing streak as any. 

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However, for as unwatchable as the Jets offense has been this season, coach Robert Saleh's defense has kept the team in quite a few games this season. Specifically, cornerback Sauce Gardner and the Jets passing defense have been stout, allowing just 2,629 yards through the air, the third-best mark in the NFL. 

So Commanders coach Ron Rivera acknowledged that quarterback Sam Howell and company will have a tough challenge ahead of them Sunday afternoon. 

“First, I think it starts a lot with their pass rush and then how physical they're at the line of scrimmage," Rivera said. "They've got tall long corners, guys that are very physical with their hands. You've got to be able to get off clean and get into your routes quickly, and you just can't win off the line because they come back at you. You got to win on your second release downfield when you're getting ready to make your break and you get the top end.”

While it appears that Rivera is all-but certain to be dismissed at the conclusion of this season, how Sunday's Commanders-Jets game plays out could determine the futures of some other notable parties involved in the tilt. 

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At one point this season, it appeared that the aforementioned Howell had shown enough promise to be back as the team's Week 1 starting quarterback in 2024. And perhaps he has, but he's also been picked off 15 times. Will a new regime want to start over at the most important position, especially if the Commanders end the 2023 season on a long losing streak? A strong performance Sunday could help Howell's case to get another season as the starting quarterback in Washington. 

Rodgers, ultimately, may decide on the status of Saleh for 2024. For the time being, it appears he's more likely to be in favor of Saleh returning for a fourth season with the Jets. However, an ugly loss to a Commanders team that's lost five in a row could convince Rodgers and/or owner Woody Johnson to make a change.