With a new regime in place, the Jets thought they could count on their defense to win games.

But arguably, Gang Green’s defense is the primary reason for their 0-5 start.

The Jets’ defense has been one of the worst units in the NFL this season. After their latest 37-22 loss to the Cowboys, Jets defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, who has been under fire, says his number one emphasis this week has been consistency.

“We do a lot of great things, it’s just being consistent throughout the game,” Wilks said. “And number one is tackling. We got to do a great job and that starts with me creating those scenarios and going through tackling circles and drills, so therefore when we get in those opportunities in the game that we can execute, and again just third down.

“We’ve done a great job in creating, which we talk about all the time, negative plays on first and second down and getting these guys behind the sticks, which we have, and then now we’ve got to execute and get off the field on third-and-long.”

Wilks has been criticized because he and coach Aaron Glenn inherited a Jets defense that finished in the top five in yards allowed each of the previous three seasons. They also returned eight starters from last year’s defense, including linebacker and captain Jamien Sherwood, who signed a three-year, $45 million contract extension last March. They have gone from a team that gave up 313.8 yards per game last year to one of the worst starts in team history.

Gang Green is allowing 31.4 points per game, which is the fourth-most after five games in team history, according to ESPN Research. Only the Ravens have given up more points this season (35.4). In addition, the Jets are 22nd in yards allowed (347.4) and have struggled to stop the run, allowing an average of 140.4 yards on the ground, which is the sixth most in the NFL.

The Jets are also the only team that hasn’t recorded a takeaway this season. They are the first team in NFL history to have zero takeaways in its first five games.

“I wouldn’t say it’s hard, but it has to be a conscious thing,” Sherwood said. “It just can’t be to go in there and make the tackle. You have to go in there with the mindset that I’m going to go in there, make the tackle and punch the ball out.

“When the ball goes up in the air, I’m going to be the one who brings the ball down. Again, it’s a mindset. Having it on your mind 24/7 and going out there and doing it. We watched some film on some other teams, and they are consently going after the ball, they are consistently attacking, getting ready to punch it out, and being aggressive when the ball is in the air, and we gotta have the same mindset as them.

Penalties and missed tackles have also been a significant issue for the Jets. They are sixth in the league in penalties after leading the league in that category the previous two seasons.  The Jets are also tied for the most missed tackles, according to Pro Football Focus (49).

The lack of a pass rush has also plagued the Jets through five games. After registering four sacks in their Week 1 loss to the Steelers, the Jets have just seven on the season, which is the third fewest in the NFL.

During Sunday’s game against the Cowboys, the Jets faced an offensive line missing four starters. But they were only able to register a single sack on a play in which Dak Prescott gave up inbounds to keep the clock running.

Jermaine Johnson, returning from injury, couldn’t hurt the Jets’ pass rush. He has missed the last three weeks because of an ankle injury he suffered against the Bills in Week 2.

Johnson practiced on Thursday, and Glenn is optimistic that he will play against the Broncos.

“Jermaine is a Pro Bowl caliber player,” Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams said. “Having him on the field is going to be unbelievable. The guys that are already on the field are unbelievable, also.

“We can all take a step forward and do things the right way to not only help this defense win but also get better.”