New York Jets

New York Jets: Brandon Marshall Breaks Down Red Zone Struggles

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The New York Jets have struggled a lot in the red zone so far this season. What can they do to fix the problem?

Through the first three weeks of the season, the New York Jets aren’t getting the job done in the red zone. So far this season, they have only scored six red zone touchdowns in 16 opportunities. The 37.5% touchdown rate in the red zone is down a lot from the 66% rate they had last season.

Due to a lot of passing in the red zone, the Jets have hurt themselves inside the 20-yard line. Wide receiver Brandon Marshall admits that he might be getting a bit too cute in the red zone trying to read what a cornerback is doing.

“There was a lot of that going on, and it starts with guys like myself and Fitz,” Marshall said to Darryl Slater of NJ.com. “We’ve just got to go out there and play ball and play fast, instead of trying to be scientists out there all the time. I’ve got to go out there and make the plays no matter what’s going on.”

One of the things that the Jets went away from was running the ball in the red zone. After a great performance against the Bills, running back Matt Forte wasn’t a huge factor in the red zone offense.

“I would say this: We definitely have to take advantage of our talent,” Marshall said to Slater. “It’s hard for coaches, man when you have three, four receivers that can make plays, and then you have a back like Matt Forte. So I don’t envy Chan Gailey’s job. It’s a difficult one, and there’s only one ball.

“We went to Kansas City and we got hit in the mouth, and now we’ll adjust and make the right calls. So whether it’s throwing the ball or running the ball, we’re going to take advantage of whatever the defense is giving us.”

Finding success in the red zone will be difficult in Week 4 against the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks once again have one of the best defenses in the NFL. Both running or throwing the ball will be challenging against their stout defense for the Jets.

Even if the Jets don’t convert on touchdowns in the red zone, they have to make sure to avoid turnovers. It is hard to win in the NFL when you lose the turnover battle. The Seahawks are a team that can capitalize on turnovers and make the Jets pay.

Finally, it will be interesting to see what type of adjustments are made this week.

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