Five things to know about the New York Jets

By Ross Jackson

Getting to know the New Orleans Saints’ next opponent is an exercise in where the Saints could have ended up. The New York Jets have been undergoing rebuild after rebuild for over a decade now without ever being able to find sustainable improvement or success. A large part of the reason has been because of asset management in trying to pursue a franchise quarterback. 

But the rebuilds of the Jets aren’t the only things to know about the team. The 3-11 Jets are struggling, but they have hard-nosed leadership and many changes on the way. Some of the numbers and stories about them aren’t so favorable, so the last thing New Orleans should let happen is unexpected improvement against them.

Jets head coach Aaron Glenn was the early favorite to land the Saints’ head coaching job.

Going all the way back to January, just over exactly 11 months ago, oddsmakers consistently listed Glenn as the top Saints’ option at head coach. The Saints were indeed interested and did wind up interviewing him before he landed with the Jets. New Orleans ultimately hired head coach Kellen Moore after his Super Bowl run with the Philadelphia Eagles. Now, the two will meet head-to-head in the Caesars Superdome.

The Jets fired their defensive coordinator, Steve Wilks, this week.

After surrendering 48-points to the Jacksonville Jaguars and 34 to the Miami Dolphins in back-to-back weeks, Wilks was relieved of his duties as the team began preparations to take on the Saints the following weekend. In his stead, defensive backs coach and defensive passing game coordinator Chris Harris will take over the defensive coordinator role. 

As a defensive head coach, Glenn is likely to still be on the hook for the underwhelming performances of the defense. However, he is not the defensive play-caller. That responsibility will go to Harris as he assumes the coordinator role.

Rookie quarterback Brady Cook will make his career second in Week 16.

Cook saw his first start in Week 15 against the Jaguars in which he tossed his first career touchdown pass, along with three interceptions. Former starting quarterbacks Justin Fields and Tyrod Taylor are each managing injury. Additionally, the team signed former Detroit Lions draft pick Hendon Hooker to the practice squad. 

Cook will take the helm for only the second time in his career as a starting quarterback on Sunday as he faces New Orleans. The Saints are currently 1-0 against rookie quarterbacks this year, notching their first win of the season against the New York Giants and rookie passer Jaxson Dart.

The Jets’ passing offense is the league’s worst.

Whether it’s been FIelds, Taylor or Cook under center, the passing game in New York has not been very reliable. The team currently ranks No. 32 in the NFL in passing yards per game with just 147 per game. The Jets have also averaged 4.5 net yards per attempt, ranking No. 31 in the league.

The Jets’ defense is the only in the NFL without an interception on the year.

With only three turnovers on the year, the Jets have forced fewer turnovers than any team in the league. In fact, every team has more interceptions alone than New York has takeaways. The Jets have also not recorded a single interception this season. Eventually, it’s likely that they will get one. But the Saints will hope it’s not against them.