HC Aaron Glenn, who said following Sunday's game that he was disappointed in the team's effort, had a different takeaway after reviewing the 42-10 loss to the Patriots.
"Effort was not the issue with that game," Glenn told reporters Monday morning. "I thought our guys played all the way to the very end."
He added: "There was nothing about them [showing] that they were throwing up the white flag and they were quitting."
Glenn instead described the NFL as "a playmakers' league" and stressed that New England was able to make critical plays, while the Jets struggled to execute. In the first quarter, QB Drake Maye was a perfect 8-of-8 passing for 113 yards and a touchdown. Maye connected with TE Austin Hooper for the first TD of the afternoon, and on the next possession, RB Rhamondre Stevenson ran for a score. found the end zone with his legs.
"Between the quarterback, their receivers, some of their defensive backs and the D-linemen -- those guys made the plays that should have been made, and we didn't," Glenn said.
The Jets attempted to respond, but QB Brady Cook was intercepted and on the ensuing play, Patriots WR Stefon Diggs made a spectacular 31-yard catch along the sideline. The Jets were outgained 177 net yards to 13 net yards in the opening stanza before New England capitalized on the turnover with a TD on the first play of the second quarter.
"What really showed up is they did some things schematically I thought that were challenging, offensively and defensively, that we really have to take a look at and try to hone in on and fix those things," Glenn said.
With a 42-3 lead in the third quarter, New England opted to keep the ball on the ground late. For Glenn, though, the way the Jets responded was a clear indication of their desire to compete.
"Our guys didn't back down from that at all," Glenn said. "I would say most of the time when that happens, that's when you have an effort issue. You saw our guys; they were running on and off the field the whole time."
He added: "Again, schematically, were there some things that were challenging? Absolutely. But our guys did not quit. They were running to the ball. They were trying to defend the pass. They were doing all those things they needed to do to win that game, and that was evident when you just go back and watch the game. And watching it twice, that really showed up."
With one final game on the horizon, Glenn hopes to see this same level of effort, along with a higher level of execution.
"We have one week left to continue to improve and that's what we're focused on," he said. "[The Bills] are a playoff team, so that gives us another chance to go out there and play against a playoff team. And I'm looking forward to that."
