Jets’ Fast Start Exposes Familiar Flaws: Is Justin Fields Enough to Keep This Team Alive?

Week 1 looked like a turning point. Justin Fields and the offense exploded for 394 total yards and 32 points, ripping off big plays and showing real rhythm under new offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand. The Jets looked dangerous, explosive, and even fun.

But then Week 2 happened.

The Buffalo Bills came into MetLife and reminded everyone that one good week doesn’t mean anything in this league. Buffalo controlled the game from start to finish, winning 30–10. Fields was knocked out with a head injury in the third quarter, and the Jets’ defense gave up nearly 200 rushing yards while forcing zero turnovers. It wasn’t just a loss—it was a total deflation.

So which version of the Jets is real?

A Tale of Two Games

Let’s start with what worked.

In Week 1, the Jets had 11 explosive plays—passes over 16 yards and runs over 12—which was one of the highest totals in the NFL that week. The offense looked unpredictable and aggressive. Breece Hall averaged over six yards per carry. Fields added 60 yards on the ground and looked comfortable in Engstrand’s scheme.

But Week 2 flipped that script.

Buffalo’s defense shut everything down. The Jets managed just 154 total yards—fewer than half their Week 1 total. Fields turned the ball over, the offensive line gave up pressure, and the running game vanished. Once the Jets fell behind, it was clear they had no plan B.

Worse than the offense, though, was the defense.

Through two games, the Jets rank near the bottom of the league in defensive EPA per play—a stat that measures how much teams are scoring per snap against them. They’re also allowing opponents to convert 56% of their third downs. For context: that’s roughly what the Chiefs were converting on offense last year. Not good.

Pressure Mounts on Fields

It’s clear this team will only go as far as Justin Fields can take them. When he plays clean, the offense has firepower. But if he’s under pressure or forced to play from behind, things get shaky fast.

In Week 2, the Jets were outscored 17–0 after halftime. Fields’ turnover came at a critical moment, and the offense couldn’t recover. His EPA per dropback cratered, and without a defense to give them short fields or momentum, everything stalled.

If the Jets want to stay competitive, they need more than flashes from their quarterback. They need consistent execution—and some help from the defense.

What Happens Now?

This team has potential. Fields is better than any QB the Jets have had since Pennington. The play-calling is creative. There are weapons.

But the defense is the red flag. If they can’t stop the run, can’t get off the field on third down, and can’t generate turnovers, it won’t matter how many 50-yard bombs Fields throws. They’ll be playing from behind every week.

And that’s a recipe for another disappointing season.

So what do you think? Can the Jets course-correct before the season slips away? Is Justin Fields really the guy, or just another quarterback caught in the Jets’ never-ending rebuild.