If there was ever any doubt about Adam Gase leaving a mark in the New York Jets history books, he has already accomplished something that none of his predecessors ever could. Gase has become the first head coach in the NFL history to lose to two teams with a record of 0-7 or worse in the same season. Let that sink in…
If that accomplishment wasn’t enough, Gase is also the first Jets head coach since Rich Kotite not to have a winning season in his first year with the Gang Green. The Jets fell to 4-8, ending their three game winning streak that some fans thought could have been the start of a playoff run. Instead, if they lose next week to Miami, the Jets might soon find themselves at the bottom of the AFC East.
The 0-11 Bengals had the worst defense against the run going into this game, yet Gase’s Jets ran only 10 times in the first half and had 27 passing attempts. Gase’s Jets gained only 62 rushing yards against the team that had been giving up over 160 yards on the ground per game. The so-called offensive guru, who skipped Thanksgiving dinner to prepare a game plan against arguably the worst team in the league, once again failed to deliver.
The Jets were unprepared, undisciplined (10 penalties for 105 yards) and looked like they did not belong. Darnold and Co. managed to score only two field goals against the team that had been giving up almost 25 points per game. After scoring on the game’s opening possession, the Gang Green went 3 and out on the next two drives before scoring another field goal at the end of the first half.
Cincinnati gifted the Jets a pretty good field position when they missed a field goal on their first second half drive. The ensuing Jets possession was among the worst we’ve seen this season. The Jets ran on the first two downs, gaining one yard total. Then, on 3rd and 9 they were flagged for a false start, followed by an offensive holding that nullified Le’Veon Bell’s longest run of the season. Two plays later the Jets punted on 4th and 20.
If the previous possession wasn’t bad enough, the Jets did even worse on the next one. Starting on their own 2-yard line, Adam Gase’s team managed to commit two penalties, giving another two points to the Bengals.
The game was pretty much over at that point. The Jets went 3 and out on the next two possessions and then turned it over on downs twice when they had no choice but go for it on 4th downs.
Gase’s previous team, the Miami Dolphins, is next. Can Gase also get swept by his former team? You can bet that Jets’ former signal caller, Ryan Fitzpatrick, will be fired up for this one. Just like he was in Week 9 when previously winless Miami surprised everyone and beat the Jets, 26-18.