Have to start better, have to finish better.
That’s usually a recipe for failure in the NFL, and those are key reasons why the Jets are 0-3 to start the 2025 season heading into the Monday night clash with the also-winless Dolphins in Miami.
But cornerback Sauce Gardner believes the Jets are “extremely close,” or at least they were in tight losses to the Steelers and the Buccaneers wrapped around a clunker in Week 2 against the Bills.
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tRY IT NOW“It’s so easy to just look at our record and get down,” Gardner said after practice Friday in Florham Park. “The reality is, we’re a field goal and a stop away from being 2-1.
“In this building, mentally we’re here. Mentally, we’re still very confident. And we know what we’re capable of doing.”
First-year coordinator Steve Wilks’ defense has had its moments over the first three games, but the Jets have dropped all three, including a drive for the game-winning field goal Sunday in the final 1:49 after the Jets had taken a lead on a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown by Will McDonald IV.
Wilks said the emphasis ahead of Monday night’s game is clear.
“One of the things we have to do defensively — as you’ve seen we’ve done a lot of great things throughout these first three weeks — but we gotta find a way to finish,” Wilks said. “That’s the key thing for us on defense.
“One touchdown, holding those guys to five field goals, it doesn’t really mean anything when you can’t finish in the end. That’s where we are right now, and that’s our challenge this week.”
The Jets, who will be without starting linebacker Quincy Williams (shoulder) for at least the next four weeks, rank 22nd in yards allowed per game (340.3) during their winless start.
“There’s a lot that comes into play, and that starts with me,” Wilks said. “Putting guys in position to be successful, and then, most importantly, just making the plays when given the opportunity.”
Offensively, the Jets appear as if they should be getting back starting quarterback Justin Fields, who has been listed as a full participant in practice the past two days after missing last week’s game with a concussion.
“We all in this locker room feel like we’re close, and there’s a few plays that we’re leaving on the field here and there that have us in this hole at 0-3,” receiver Garrett Wilson said. “The reality of this is, that’s what we are. We’re 0-3, but we’ve gotta find a way to get over that hump this week, find a way to get on the board.”
One way, Wilson stressed, is to get the ball into the end zone early in the game instead of settling for early field goals, to avoid having to attempt to play catch-up.
“It’s been not terrible, but still not what we want,” Wilson said. “We need to find a way to get seven on that first drive. We don’t want to be a second-half team … because sometimes you put yourself in too big a hole.”
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The Dolphins also are 0-3 but their offense always is a threat with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, the speedy receiving tandem of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle and running back De’Von Achane.
“We’re very aware that they have, like, an Olympic track team over there, [they are] very fast,” Gardner said. “That’s why I get paid the big bucks.”
Gardner and Wilson, who both signed nine-figure contract extensions in the offseason, also liked seeing first-year coach Aaron Glenn celebrating on the sideline after McDonald’s go-ahead play, even though the coach took some criticism for it after the Jets were unable to close out the Bucs.
“I thought it was hilarious, man,” Wilson said of Glenn. “We’re gonna get on the board and start doing what we’re supposed to do, start winning games and we’re going to see that a little bit more, not just from [Glenn]. That was cool to see that.
“We just want to make sure that when he does do it, we’re gonna finish the game so he doesn’t have to deal with some of the B.S. that comes with this. But to see our coach being himself and having fun … that’s stuff you love to play for.”