Jets vs. Patriots: 3 Things We Learned from the Jets' 30-21 Loss to the Pats

The Jets have been a frustrating team through five weeks of the 2011 NFL season. Their offensive line has been atrocious, their quarterback makes more mistakes than a third-year player should and their defense hasn't been as tenacious as they have been the past couple of years.

Heading into their game with New England, much of the talk from pundits centered around the wretched Patriots defense up against the impotent Jets offense. Whichever squad broke through would be destined to win the game.

In the end, the Patriots' woeful defense did enough to stop the Jets' offense from winning the game. The Patriots prevailed despite some miscues on offense and a generally good Jets defensive showing.

We know without any doubt that the Jets' offense is in shambles. But what else did we learn from the Jets' loss today?

The Jets Are Not an Elite Team in the AFC

The brash Jets and their blustery coach Rex Ryan love to trump themselves up. This rough 2-3 start to the season should quiet their talk for a short while, at least.

Sure, they've made it to two AFC Championship games in the past two years. And yes, they have a top-notch defense that features two excellent lock-down cornerbacks. But despite these advantages, they can't consistently work through adversity to beat good teams.

The Jets' defense is fantastic, but they can't always compensate for a woeful offense. Plaxico Burress drops key third-down passes. Mark Sanchez overthrows receivers. The offensive line allows too much pressure.

Elite teams in the pass-happy NFL of 2011 have effective offenses. The Jets' offense has been anything but effective through this season's first five games.

Despite Loss, They Showed Toughness in the 4th Quarter That Will Serve Them Well

Despite not having been able to get much done offensively in the first three quarters, the Jets' offense showed poise and resilience in driving down for a score in the middle of the fourth quarter.

Granted, the Patriots' defense is atrocious, but the Jets made the plays they needed to in order to move the ball. The offensive line stepped up to give Sanchez the time he needed to sling the football. Santonio Holmes is an amazing weapon, and he alone can inspire hope for the future for Jets fans.

In addition, Shonn Greene performed better than he has of late, with one touchdown and 83 yards.

While they are certainly still a struggling squad, that fourth-quarter touchdown drive was enough to show that the Jets' offense can become effective if they limit turnovers and give Sanchez enough time in the pocket. 

The Jets' Defense Is Still Good, but They Need to Be Better Against the Run

The Jets' run defense allowed well over 100 yards and two touchdowns to Patriots running back Ben-Jarvis Green-Ellis. In the Pats game-sealing fourth-quarter drive, Green-Ellis salted the game away with hard running directly into the teeth of the Jets' defense.

The Jets need to tighten up across their front and tackle better.

They also allowed too many plays in the middle of their defense to Patriots receivers and tight ends. The linebackers have to read and cover crossing patterns much better for the Jets to make a playoff run this year.

It does say something about the power of the Patriots' offense that even when they have an "off" day, they still can put up 30 points. But it also says something about the Jets' defense—that they couldn't get key stops when they needed them.

It will be an uphill climb from here on out for the Jets. They are now looking up at the Buffalo Bills at 4-1 and the Patriots at 4-1 in the AFC East. While stranger things have happened in the NFL, it looks like a rough go for the Jets.

They need to tighten up their run defense, get better efficiency from their offense and start to enforce their will when rushing the quarterback.

If they can't do that, they may find themselves without a chair and outside of the playoff picture at the end of the season.