Jets' Offensive Coordinator Highlights Two Areas That Need Improvement

Gang Green ranks as NFL's least-efficient team in pair of important categories

Nathaniel Hackett didn't mince words when speaking about the New York Jets' offensive shortcomings.

"We sucked in the red zone, and we sucked on third down," said Hackett on Thursday in Florham Park.

Addressing reporters ahead of Sunday's non-conference contest against the New York Giants, the Jets' offensive coordinator briefly reflected on the six-game stretch that preceded the bye week. 

"There's been a lot of opportunities there for us, and we just got to capitalize on them," said Hackett in his first season with Gang Green. 

Hackett was forced to pivot when future Hall-of-Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers was lost to injury four offensive snaps into the season opener and the results have been ugly at times.

Averaging only 1.2 touchdowns per outing, the Jets' offense ranks last amongst all NFL teams in third down conversion rate (25.0) and red zone touchdown percentage (29.41). 

"I think the biggest one has been the self-inflicted wounds, and it's not just one person," said Hackett.

Gang Green (3-3) has managed to win its past two games in spite of serious troubles in both third down and red zone situations. The Jets have scored only one touchdown over their last nine trips into the red zone and have converted 5 of 23 third down attempts over the past eight quarters of competition. 

"I think we are close, but I think it just comes down to eliminating the negative plays," said starting quarterback Zach Wilson after the team settled for four Greg Zuerlein field goals in the win over Philadelphia.

The Jets were stopped short of the end zone on their first three red zone possessions in a 20-14 victory over the Eagles. They finally cashed in on a late 8-yard run by Breece Hall after an interception return set the offense up with a 1st-and-Goal to go.

"I feel like we are hitting the red zone and putting ourselves too far back behind the sticks to have a shot at it. That starts with me," said Wilson. "The communication, getting everybody on the same page and everybody kind of taking a deep breath and just doing our assignments."

Veteran center Connor McGovern, who has started 54 of a possible 56 games over three-plus seasons with the Jets, had a similar take on how to solve the offensive woes.

"As an offense, we need to do all the little things, the little details. It's only one small detail away, but in professional football, every inch matters," said McGovern. 

The Jets have had 17 possessions inside the opponent's 20-yard line this season, but only five of those opportunities ended with touchdowns. 

"Find a way to just be better in that situation because it definitely needs to improve," said Wilson.

Gang Green's Week 8 opponent has allowed at least one red zone TD in each of its seven games thus far. In all, opposing teams have totaled 14 touchdowns over 24 trips into the red zone against the Giants.

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