close
close
Skip to main content
metropolis
Robert Saleh details the league-wide offensive decline as Jets buck the NFL trend

Robert Saleh details the league-wide offensive decline as Jets buck the NFL trend

Vaseline 2 months ago

It’s only been three weeks, but the NFL’s scoring and passing numbers have dropped again.

While the New York Jets’ offensive production is up and running with Aaron Rodgers back in the driver’s seat, the same can’t be said for most teams.

Collectively, teams’ scoring average is on track to decline for the fourth straight year after hitting an all-time high (24.8 ppg) in 2020. So far in 2024, NFL teams are allowing 21.2 points per outing. However, the Jets have scored nine touchdowns in three games, a feat that took them 11 weeks to complete last season.

The passing numbers are also down, and Jets fans can relate to that, as their future Hall-of-Fame quarterback threw for just 176 yards in a Week 2 road win over the Tennessee Titans. Teams will average 201.2 passing yards per game in 2024. That number was 218.9 ypg at the end of last season and reached 240.2 ypg in 2020.

Jets fourth-year head coach Robert Saleh doesn’t foresee a sudden surge in offensive production across the league, at least not this year.

“It’s something that lasts a season,” Saleh said as he addressed reporters at Florham Park. “The defense has been two-tiered in recent years and executed bold attacks. I think the coordinators in the League are doing a very good job of staying patient.”

New York experienced that trend firsthand, falling victim to a heavy dose of the San Francisco 49ers’ rushing attack in a season-opening loss.

“Week 1 was a perfect example. I was joking with (49ers head coach) Kyle (Shanahan) the other day that I wish (RB Christian) McCaffrey was playing because then he would have thrown, but he turned around and gave it’s been blown out more than 40 times,” Saleh said. “You see a lot of teams, even New England before we played them, they’re giving it up more than 30 times.”

Like the distance, pass attempts are noticeably lower, which supports Saleh’s theory. Teams are averaging 31.1 throws per game so far this season, a decrease of 4.1 attempts per game from 2020’s numbers.

“Playcallers are very patient, get the ball to their back and run the ball and just take on the challenge of running the ball,” Saleh said.

As defenses lighten up and the field becomes littered with defensive backs, offenses seem ready to respond by opting to ground and pound. The cyclical nature of the NFL seems to be on display again.

More New York Jets news:

• Earn even more respect for the New York Jets in the NFL Power Rankings

• Two starters listed as non-participants on the Jets Week 4 injury report

• Jets’ Joe Tippmann has luxuries not found in many NFL centers

• Jets’ rookie RB forces Robert Saleh’s hand and Aaron Rodgers agrees

• Most promising sign from Aaron Rodgers’ first home win for Jets