The Jets (3-12) fell to the Saints (5-10) on Sunday at Caesars Superdome. Here are three takeaways from the game.

Lack of Offensive Rhythm Contributes to Second-Half Struggles
The Jets scored points on two of their first three possessions, as K Nick Folk converted FG attempts from 29 and 36 yards out.

The defense -- under the direction of interim DC Chris Harris -- also had a promising start, as the unit kept New Orleans out of the end zone in the first half. The Jets entered halftime in a tight battle -- trailing by 9-6. HC Aaron Glenn, however, stressed that the team should have taken advantage of opportunities to put more points on the board early.

"We knew what this team was," Glenn said of the Saints. "We knew at the beginning of the game that this was our chance to really try and get up on this team."

After the two first-half field goals, the Jets did not score again in the 29-6 loss. The Saints entered the contest allowing 7.5 points to opponents in the second half, the fewest by any team in the league. That dominance was on display Sunday, as the Jets punted twice in the third quarter and lost possession on two turnovers in the fourth

"We just couldn't get in a rhythm," OL John Simpson said.

Glenn added: "We knew in the second half -- if you look at the numbers -- that's who they were, a team that really explodes in the second half. They did exactly what we all knew they would do. We have to do a better job of understanding that and playing to that. It's my job to continue to help these guys to be able to understand that."

S Malachi Moore Helps Generate Second Takeaway in Two Games
The Jets have struggled to generate turnovers this season, recovering 4 fumbles without intercepting a pass through Week 16. The team, however, has now recorded a takeaway in two consecutive games.

Against Jacksonville in Week 15, Brandon Stephens forced a fumble that S Malachi Moore recovered. And in Week 16, Moore was the one who punched it out, with CB Qwan'tez Stiggers jumping on the loose ball.

"Malachi did a hell of a job," HC Aaron Glenn said. "Obviously, he got the strip, that's one thing we talked about in the team meeting, the target that we wanted to go after. And he did a really good job of identifying that and making a play."

Moore is one of three rookies currently seeing significant playing time in the secondary. Jordan Clark and Dean Clark, a pair of undrafted free agents, have taken advantage of more reps late in the season. Dean Clark made his first start on Sunday, playing 100% of the defensive snaps.

"There's a number of things that those guys have to continue to learn, but the thing is, they're fighting their butts off," Glenn said. "They're playing with effort. The communication between those guys is improving each week and it's good for those guys to be getting the reps that they're getting right now."

'Don't Let Go of the Rope'
Despite Sunday's disappointing outcome, HC Aaron Glenn said he was impressed with the level of effort the Jets played with in New Orleans.

"I asked our players to play with effort, and I thought our guys did that," he said following the game. "I thought that they went out there, they fought hard and did everything they could to keep us in this game."

Glenn reiterated this on Monday, stressing that he would like to see this same level of effort in the final two games — Sunday vs. New England and the season finale at Buffalo. In his first season as a head coach, it will be an important part of the foundation he is aiming to build.

"I will continue to say don't let go of the rope because there is a plan, there is a vision," he said. "From Day 1, we've been trying to set the foundation of what we want this team to be. … We know exactly what we're doing, and we do have a plan."

CB Brandon Stephens added: "I believe in AG and I believe in his plan. I believe in his vision for the future."