The Detroit Lions are staring down the New York Jets in Week 3, and both teams are sitting at a shaky 1-1 record. Detroit’s fresh off an embarrassing performance and a tough loss on national television. They need this win badly to wash that bad taste out of their mouths, especially after letting one slip away. New York? They’re reeling from an overtime loss to the Green Bay Packers where they straight-up fumbled a win at home. This game isn’t just about getting back to .500; it’s about momentum.
Aaron Glenn’s Jets: A Look Back at a Rough Start
Jets head coach Aaron Glenn, who used to be Dan Campbell’s defensive coordinator, is really feeling the heat. His head-coaching debut in 2025 was a brutal 3-14 season, landing them dead last in the AFC East. It was not pretty, with their overall DVOA ranking 32nd in the league (30th on offense, 31st on defense). The offense was a mess, ranking 29th in points scored and seeing a revolving door at quarterback, which never helps. Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor, and Brady Cook all got starts, combining for a paltry 2,385 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. Fields was the best of that bunch, throwing for seven touchdowns and only one interception, but even he got benched by Glenn after a 2-7 start. Taylor and Cook? They managed just one win between them.
On the ground, Breece Hall was a bright spot for the Jets last year, rushing for 1,065 yards and averaging 4.4 yards per carry, tying with Fields for the most rushing touchdowns with four. He was their most consistent unit, even if they didn’t find the end zone often. Star receiver Garrett Wilson still managed to be their top pass-catcher despite playing in only seven games, hauling in 36 catches for 395 yards and four touchdowns. Rookie tight end Mason Taylor also flashed potential with 44 catches, 369 yards, and a touchdown. But man, the defense was where it all truly fell apart.
The Defense That Never Took the Ball Away
This is where it gets wild for the Jets. Their defense in 2025 was an absolute laughing stock. They recorded the fewest takeaways in the entire NFL, with just four, and every single one of those was a fumble. Get this: the New York Jets became the first team in NFL history to go a full season without recording a single interception. You read that right. ZERO interceptions. It’s hard to imagine a more stunning stat for a professional defense. It’s clear Glenn is looking to improve on that, but after such an awful 2025, he’s got his work cut out for him.
With both the Lions and Jets desperate to bounce back and get their season on track, this Week 3 matchup is all about seizing momentum. Will Glenn’s defense show any signs of life, or will Detroit be able to exploit a unit that made all the wrong kind of history last year?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pride of Detroit.
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