The New York Jets are 0-4 following a 27-21 loss to the Miami Dolphins, a defeat that left star running back Breece Hall bemoaning self-inflicted wounds.
New York’s opening two drives set the tone for a maddening evening for the Jets, who fumbled on each of those series, which reached the six-yard line and the 36-yard line of the Dolphins before they surrendered possession.
The Jets drove for a field goal on their next possession but then fumbled the kick-off to start the second half, setting up the Dolphins with a short field, which they used to their advantage to take a 17-3 lead.
New York trailed 24-10 with five minutes remaining in the third quarter after the two sides exchanged touchdown drives, and the Jets’ next series was derailed by penalties as Garrett Wilson had a touchdown wiped off for offensive pass interference before an unnecessary roughness penalty pushed them back to the Miami 36.
The Jets were forced to settle for a field goal and their next touchdown drive, capped by a touchdown pass from Justin Fields to Wilson, ended with under two minutes left in the game, New York having previously punted on another penalty strewn series and then allowed a long Miami field goal drive.
In total, the Jets were penalised 13 times for 106 yards, with that ill-discipline and the three turnovers leaving Hall with a familiar feeling.
“It’s just a tale of three out of our four losses. Teams will shoot themselves in the foot and we come back and shoot ourselves in the head,” Hall told reporters.
“You can’t win offensively if we’re not converting on third down, if we’re not getting us to third and manageables, we’re in second-and-25s, second-and-20, first-and-15. Getting stupid dumb penalties and stuff, that’s been the frustrating thing because we’re moving the ball up and down the field at will how we want to.
“We’ll come down and get to the strike zone and then ‘boom, 15-yard penalty, 10-yard penalty’ and teams will just sit back in zone [coverage] and they’re willing to give up that three and not give up that seven.
“That was the frustrating part, turnovers and then making mistakes with fumbles and crazy penalties, it’s just frustrating.”
The Jets host the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday as they continue to search for their first win under new head coach Aaron Glenn.
