Following the Green & White's 37-21 loss to the Cowboys in Week 5, HC Aaron Glenn stressed the importance of internal belief and getting back to work quickly as the Jets continue to search for their first win of the season.
"We're going to stay the course, we're not going to waver, we're not going to let any of the outside noise get us to have issues between each other," Glenn told reporters Monday. "Listen, the coaches and players, we're on the same page, trust me when I tell you that. And we're going to continue to work our ass off until we get this thing fixed."
The Jets got off to a quick start Sunday, scoring a field goal on the opening drive for the second consecutive week. The team then held the Cowboys to a field goal but were unable to keep Dallas out of the end zone on the ensuing possession. Trailing by 10-3 with an opportunity to tie the game before halftime, RB Breece Hall had the ball punched out of his arms and Dallas recovered at their own 9-yard line. The result was a 14-point swing that left the Jets trailing by 23-3 heading into the break.
Though the turnover proved to be a turning point in the game, the Jets were also penalized 10 times for 61 yards in Sunday's loss -- including 5 pre-snap penalties.
"Obviously disappointed in the fumble and the penalties that we've had," Glenn said. "Again, the same thing happened a week before and there's no magic wand that changes those things. The only thing that changes those things is what we emphasize, which we've always been emphasizing. And going back to work. That's the only thing that changes those things."
Glenn said the Jets were forced to abandon their brand of football after falling behind. The team currently ranks second in the NFL in total rushing yards (722), a testament to Glenn's goal of "running it just as well as we're passing it." But after rushing for 98 yards in the first half, the team only added 46 yards on the ground after halftime. QB Justin Fields attempted 14 passes before the break, but he threw 32 times in the second half.
As the game plan changed, the team was unable to find an offensive rhythm until the fourth quarter, when Fields connected with FB Andrew Beck and WR Garrett Wilson for TDs.
"We've just got to fix those things that cause you to lose games," Glenn said. "If you look across the league, I would say about 85 percent of the games that teams have lost, lost in the same fashion that we did. Turnovers and penalties. So, we've got to continue to look at it and try to clean those up."
The Jets were also unable to generate a turnover for the fifth consecutive game, and the team remains the only team in the league without a takeaway. But Glenn stressed that there are "a lot of good things that I'm proud of that happened in that game," and that there is no "here we go again" mindset -- the team aims to get back to work with a focus on limiting the self-inflicted wounds.
"The work has to be able to fix those things and that's what practice is for," he said. "The same thing when it comes to turnovers and also taking the ball away. We have to work to get those things done and nothing overcomes that. … And the thing is, I know for a fact our players are bought into what we're doing."
As the Jets travel to London for a Week 6 matchup with the Broncos (3-2), the plan for Glenn & Co. hasn't changed -- and internal belief will play an important role in securing the team's first victory.
"That's what you're here for, is to win," Glenn said. "So, I'm not changing that at all. Yes, we are here to win now. We're absolutely here. Have we done it yet? No, we haven't. I understand that. We're 0 and 5 and we own that. But I do know this -- that's not going to stop us from doing everything we can to win. So, absolutely, we are here to win now like every other coach is."
