The New York Jets are playing for pride after being eliminated from the 2025 NFL postseason at the hands of the Miami Dolphins, 34-10, in Week 14.
The Jets (3-10) look to shake off last week’s loss in Week 15 when they travel to face quarterback Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4).
New York’s rookie QB Brady Cook will get his first NFL start on Sunday as Tyrod Taylor and Justin Fields will not play because of injury. Cook had has moments last week, but struggled for most of the game filling in for an injured Taylor. The Jets will be without a few players this weekend including Linebacker Kiko Mauigoa, Cornerback Azareye’h Thomas and Tight End Mason Taylor.
Here are Jets Wire’s three keys to victory in Week 15:
Trust In Your Quarterback
With Cook getting the start, it’s important for Glenn and offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand to avoid being too conservative with their game plan just to protect their young quarterback. It’ll do nothing but kill team morale and it’ll also do very little in evaluating the wide receivers for next season. The Jets brought back a familiar face earlier this week, signing Adrian Martinez to back up Cook.
Even with inexperienced quarterbacks like Cook and Martinez, the Jets should continue to be aggressive on offense when necessary. They have absolutely nothing to lose at this stage of the season. Have trust in your quarterback to lead the team. The rest of the players will follow.
Stop The Run
Over the past two weeks, the rushing defense has been a disaster. They’ve allowed five rushing touchdowns and close to 400 yards on the ground over their past two games against the Falcons and Dolphins combined. While Harrison Phillips and Jowon Briggs have improved the defensive line, this unit is starting to feel how much of an impact Quinnen Williams had on game days.
Travis Etienne Jr. is still the primary back for the Jaguars, but Bhayshul Tuten has become a solid red-zone threat on the ground in his rookie season. For a Jets defense that struggles to get after the quarterback and force turnovers, it’ll be on the run defense to bounce back after two miserable games against a Jaguars team that averages over 121 yards per game.
Play Like You Care
After being eliminated from the postseason with last week’s loss to the Dolphins, it’s fair to wonder if the players will put forth any effort in the last four games of the season. Another lost year wears on the veterans such as Breece Hall, Quincy Williams etc. and they may not want to risk any injury at this point of the year when they’ll be free agents in 2026.
But, there are plenty of players who need to show the coaching staff they deserve to be part of the future. John Metchie III has had some bad drops over his past two games, including one that would have been Cook’s first career touchdown pass. With Taylor out against Jacksonville, this could be a prime spot for Jeremy Ruckert to build on his improved play as a weapon for the offense.
Just because they won’t be in the playoffs this year doesn’t mean the Jets should automatically mail it in. They showed plenty of fight over their last four games before hitting a wall in their loss to Miami. The team as a whole may not have anything to play for, but the players (and some coaches) definitely have something to play for with jobs on the line for next season.