Jets Collapse Again in Week 15 Blowout Loss to Jaguars: Breaking Down the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Another week, another gut punch for the New York Jets. This time, it came in the form of a 48-20 drubbing at the hands of the Jacksonville Jaguars - a game that was out of reach almost as soon as it started. The loss drops the Jets to 3-11, and while the scoreboard tells one story, the film tells an even harsher truth: this team is battered, short-handed, and running on fumes.
With a trip to New Orleans on deck in Week 16, the Jets are staring down the barrel of a lost season. But there are still things to evaluate - especially with a potential top draft pick looming. Let’s dive into the Week 15 performance and hand out the grades.
Passing Offense: C-
Brady Cook’s stat line won’t win any awards, but context matters here. The rookie quarterback - undrafted and thrust into action due to injuries to both Tyrod Taylor and Justin Fields - was playing behind a patchwork offense and still managed to flash some potential.
Cook threw his first NFL touchdown, a milestone moment, and got a classy assist from AD Mitchell, who made sure he kept the ball. But the positives were overshadowed by three interceptions, including another red-zone turnover - his second in as many weeks. That’s the kind of mistake that kills drives and morale, especially when your team is already reeling.
There’s no question Cook is raw. That’s expected.
But he’s also shown just enough to warrant a longer look. With the Jets out of contention, giving Cook these final three games could be a valuable investment in figuring out whether he’s worth developing.
Rushing Offense: C-
Another frustrating outing on the ground. Breece Hall, once viewed as a cornerstone of the Jets’ offense, was bottled up again - just 23 rushing yards on the day and averaging under two yards per carry. That’s not going to cut it, especially when your rookie quarterback needs help.
Isaiah Davis provided a spark with 58 yards and a touchdown, and even Cook chipped in 39 yards on the ground. When your quarterback is out-rushing your lead back, though, it’s a sign something’s off.
Whether it’s the blocking, the play-calling, or Hall simply hitting a wall, the Jets need more from their run game - both to support the passing attack and to help evaluate what pieces are worth keeping around.
Passing Defense: F
This was a complete breakdown. Yes, the Jets were missing key starters, including Sauce Gardner, who was traded to Indianapolis. But even with a depleted secondary, giving up 330 yards and five touchdowns to Trevor Lawrence - a quarterback who’s been inconsistent this season - is inexcusable.
There was no pressure up front, no resistance in coverage, and no answers anywhere on the field. Will McDonald and Jermaine Johnson were quiet again, and the Jets didn’t register a single sack. That’s a recipe for disaster, and it played out exactly as expected.
If the defense can’t at least slow teams down, it’s hard to evaluate anything else. Cook and the offense never had a chance to keep up.
Rushing Defense: D
While Travis Etienne Jr. did most of his damage through the air with three receiving touchdowns, the Jets still couldn’t contain Jacksonville’s run game when it mattered. Lawrence led the Jaguars in rushing with 51 yards and a touchdown - a score that could’ve been avoided if the Jets' front seven had shown any urgency.
There were flashes of resistance, but not nearly enough. The lack of discipline and effort was glaring, especially on scramble plays where Lawrence was allowed to extend drives with his legs.
Special Teams: A
One bright spot? Special teams continues to deliver.
Isaiah Williams nearly broke a punt return for a touchdown, only to have it wiped out by a questionable penalty on Isaiah Davis. That call took points off the board, but it doesn’t erase the fact that this unit consistently puts the Jets in better field position than the offense or defense can maintain.
Nick Folk, still going strong in his 18th NFL season, drilled two field goals - including a 51-yarder - and remains one of the few veterans holding down his role with consistency.
Coaching: Incomplete
It’s hard to fairly judge the coaching staff when the roster is this depleted. The Jets were without their starting quarterback, top wideout, starting tight end, two starting corners, and a linebacker. That’s not just a few injuries - that’s a full-blown crisis.
Still, the lack of energy and focus is hard to ignore. The Jets looked checked out after the first quarter, and that reflects on head coach Glenn.
Injuries are part of the game, but motivation and effort have to come from the top. The body language said it all - this team looked like it had already moved on from 2025.
The defense’s collapse over the past two weeks ultimately cost Steve Wilks his job as defensive coordinator. That’s a tough but not surprising move, given how thoroughly the unit has unraveled.
What’s Next?
Three games remain in Glenn’s first season at the helm, and the Jets are at a crossroads. Do they lean into the tank and position themselves for a top draft pick - potentially Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza? Or do they try to build some momentum and culture with a couple of late-season wins?
Either way, the next few weeks will be about evaluation - of players, coaches, and the overall direction of the franchise. The trip to New Orleans in Week 16 won’t be easy, especially against a Saints team that’s finding its stride. But it’s another opportunity for young players like Cook to show what they’ve got.
The season may be lost, but the search for answers is just getting started.