The New York Jets hired Aaron Glenn as their head coach hoping he would change the culture within a franchise that has accumulated the most losses in the NFL over the past 10 years.
Heading into Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys, the New York team stands at 0-4, making it almost certain that Jets fans are in for a long and challenging winter to bear.
Here are five things to know about the Cowboys’ upcoming opponent, the New York Jets.
Culture change
Cowboys
The Jets hope that with the arrival of Glenn as head coach, the franchise’s dismal history over the past decade will undergo a radical transformation.
They hold the worst record in the NFL over the last 10 years, with 56 wins and 109 losses — a winning percentage of .341.
The Jets are also the team with the second-most head coaches during that span.
Before Glenn, Todd Bowles, Adam Gase and Robert Saleh all faced the chopping block.
Only the Cleveland Browns have had more head coaches in that period, with a total of seven.
Jets players firmly believe Glenn can finally instill a winning culture.
“Coach Glenn understands the standard and what it takes to win,” said Jets cornerback and Plano native Brandon Stephens during training camp.
Glenn was hired by Darren Mougey, who is in his first season as the team’s general manager.
Dreaming on Fields
Justin Fields joined the Jets carrying a suitcase full of mixed opinions.
The 26-year-old is now on his third team in three years, and many believe this is his final opportunity to prove he can be a franchise quarterback.
If he performs well during the Jets’ upcoming stretch of games, he could solidify his role. If not, the team may look to the 2026 draft for a replacement.
Fields had a strong showing in Week 1, but his Week 2 performance against Buffalo was rough: just 3 completions on 11 attempts, 27 passing yards and a lost fumble.
Analysts have noted that Fields exhibits slow processing when delivering the ball and inconsistent accuracy, issues that have persisted since his time with the Chicago Bears.
He missed Week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to a concussion sustained against the Bills.
On Monday night, Fields returned as the Jets’ starting quarterback against Miami, recording 226 yards with 20 completions on 27 attempts and one touchdown.
Fields has the backing of both the front office and head coach as he works to establish himself as a reliable NFL quarterback.
“I do believe Justin can be one of those guys,” Mougey said, comparing Fields to late bloomers like Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield.
“He’s a dynamic runner. He’s a smart player,” Glenn said while emphasizing the need for patience as Fields adjusts to the system.
Odds favor Dallas
The Cowboys are slight favorites to win Sunday’s game at MetLife Stadium.
Oddsmakers expect Dallas to win by more than 2.5 points.
According to 10,000 simulations run by Dimers’ NFL model, the Cowboys have a 55% chance of winning, with a projected score of 22–21.
From a fantasy football perspective, Fields is viewed as a high-upside quarterback thanks to his rushing ability and explosive potential.
The Jets and Cowboys have faced each other 13 times, with Dallas holding an 8–5 edge in the series.
Their most recent matchup came in the 2023 season, when the Texas squad won 30–10 at AT&T Stadium.
The last time they met at MetLife Stadium was on Oct. 13, 2019, when the Jets won 24–22.
The Cowboys have never beaten the Jets at MetLife Stadium, holding a 0–2 record there.
Facing turbulence
The Jets are struggling on both sides of the ball. They rank 21st in total offense, averaging 304 yards per game, a drop from last season’s 310-yard average.
They’re scoring 22.5 points per game (19th in the league) and have the worst third-down offense in the NFL, converting just 3.5 per game.
Defensively, the Jets rank 20th, allowing 330 yards per game.
They have major issues defending the pass, giving up 10.9 yards per attempt (29th in the league), slightly better than the Cowboys, who allow 12 yards per pass.
Discipline is also a concern. The Jets rank 26th in penalty yards allowed, averaging 9.1 yards per infraction.
The Jets’ engines
The most reliable running back for the Jets is Breece Hall, who has totaled 238 yards on 52 carries.
However, of the team’s four rushing touchdowns this season, Fields has scored three.
The top-performing receiver is Garrett Wilson, with 311 yards, 27 receptions, and three touchdowns. He’s averaging 11.5 yards per catch.
The defense is anchored by linebacker Jamien Sherwood, who has recorded 40 total tackles over four games.
The biggest threat to sack Dak Prescott is defensive end Will McDonald IV, who has two sacks. Overall, the Jets have sacked opposing quarterbacks six times in four games.
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