The New York Jets will wrap up their 2016 season by hosting the equally-disappointing Buffalo Bills on Sunday at MetLife Stadium. One year after winning 10 games but missing out on the playoffs due in part to a pair of losses to this AFC East rival, Todd Bowles’ club has won just four times. Ironically, one of those victories was a wild 37-31 Thursday night triumph over these Bills at Orchard Park in Week 2. On Sunday, the Jets will be facing a Buffalo squad led by interim head coach Anthony Lynn. Rex Ryan was given his walking papers earlier this week.
A second chance
Meanwhile, by all indications, Bowles will be back for a third season with the Green and White. Adam London of NESN had the latest on the New York Jets decision to bring back their current sideline leaders. The club had their issues in nearly every department in 2016. It began with the uncertainty at the quarterback position and it continued with a major drop off on the defensive side of the football. As the season unfolded, the losses got uglier for this club. It’s a team that’s lost six of its last seven contests, the last three defeats by 31 (Indianapolis Colts), 21 (Miami Dolphins), and 38 points (New England Patriots), respectively. And yet Bowles will return for a third try.
To be frank, it’s the right move for this franchise.
A little continuity please
We already mentioned the Bills’ decision not to retain one-time New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan. His tenure with that team lasted 31 games. The Green and White have also gone through their share of sideline leaders. Bowles is the Jets’ fifth head coach since 2000, joining the likes of Al Groh, Herm Edwards, Eric Mangini, and Ryan.
It’s not an alarming number as in the case of the Bills or Cleveland Browns (9 head coaches since ’99). But constant changes when it comes to the main man at the helm leads to a lot of issues.
The Jets still have a lot of talent, especially on the defensive side of the ball. That is Bowles’ forte and you could see him concentrate his efforts more on that unit in 2017.
The secondary needs to be revamped as veteran cornerback Darrelle Revis has been a shell of his former self. On offense, it will be time for the club to find out if quarterback Christian Hackenberg can play. Yes, there will be some major alterations to this team a year from now. And fortunately, that won’t include the team’s current head coach.
