Despite head coach Robert Saleh’s declaration that these are not the same New York Jets, the fact is that they only scored nine points in their season opener.
The Baltimore Ravens had their number, especially that of their former quarterback, Joe Flacco.
The Jets mustered only one touchdown despite Flacco’s 59 passing attempts and 309 yards.
Likewise, their offensive line allowed three sacks, while Marcus Williams had ten tackles and an interception.
Unfortunately for the Jets, their go-around with the AFC North teams continues with the Cleveland Browns in Week 2.
Like the Ravens, the Browns defeated their former quarterback, Baker Mayfield, and the Carolina Panthers in their 2022 debut.
Rookie kicker Cade York converted four field goal attempts, including the game-winner.
The Nick Chubb–Kareem Hunt tandem was also too much for the Panthers.
Meanwhile, Myles Garrett had a solid game for the Cleveland defense with four tackles and two sacks.
He will be a problem for the Jets, especially with their patchwork offensive line.
Even Saleh knows he will be a handful, as ESPN’s Rich Cimini shared.
Saleh on Myles Garrett: "The good Lord was on His A game" when He built Garrett. #Jets
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) September 16, 2022
Cimini tweeted, “Saleh on Myles Garrett: ‘The good Lord was on His A game’ when He built Garrett. #Jets.”
A Dominating Physical Specimen For Cleveland
Garrett has been the pass rusher the Browns longed for ever since they made him the first overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.
He became a Pro Bowler and Second-Team All-Pro member in his second season when he registered 44 tackles, 13.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and three passes defended.
Since then, he has become a First-Team All-Pro honoree twice and a Pro Bowl selectee two more times.
With a couple of sacks in his 2022 opener, he is already 12.5 percent into his sacks total last year.
Neutralizing Garrett is a priority for Saleh and the Jets because he can single-handedly affect the game’s outcome.
NEXT: Jets HC Robert Saleh Doubles Down On His Comments