The 2025 NFL season has been quite literally a historically bad one for the New York Jets. Aaron Glenn has become the first head coach in franchise history to go 0-5 in his first season, a depth to which even Adam Gase’s ineptitude never plunged. But that’s not all, as the Jets have set another record for futility never matched since 1933, by starting a season 0-5 and not creating a single turnover on defense.
For a team that was supposed to be led by its stout, experienced defense as a young, unproven offense found its footing, that hurts. It’s a double-whammy for Glenn, too, as the defense is supposed to be his bread and butter. In short, it’s been entirely downhill for the Jets ever since their epic season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Week 6 presents yet another opportunity to finally earn a tally in the ‘Win’ column, this time against the Denver Broncos at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. The Jets are heavy underdogs in this one, but if the New York Giants’ thrilling win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night proved anything, it’s that the NFL truly is an ‘any given Sunday’ league.
If the Jets are to get a win, here’s the keys they’ll have to hit.
Take the ball away
Until the Jets actually get a takeaway, this is going to remain a key. I’m not even asking for them to win the turnover battle, just take the ball away once! It is so hard to win in this league if your defense isn’t getting extra chances for your offense, as the Jets have proven five times this year already.
On a somewhat optimistic note, it feels like there’s a dam about to break when it comes to the Jets. Eventually they’re going to force a turnover, and I have a feeling that as soon as that happens, we’re going to see the takeaways come in bunches. Hopefully that starts on Sunday.
Justin Fields must be better
Similar to the first key, I’m keeping the bar low. I’m not going to say that Fields has to be elite on Sunday to beat the Broncos; he just has to be better than second-year quarterback Bo Nix. For a quarterback in his fifth season, I don’t feel like that’s asking for a whole lot.
This means that Fields can’t wait until garbage time to start moving the ball and putting points on the board. The Jets need him to guide them into the endzone early and often in this one, which will finally let them lean on a strong run game like they’ve been wanting to do all year.
Jermaine Johnson
Glenn confirmed on Friday that Jermaine Johnson is set to return in Week 6, just when the Jets need him most. He’s been out with injury since Week 2 and the defense has sorely missed him. To illustrate the point, Denver’s Nik Bonitto has as many sacks by himself as the entire Jets’ defense through five games.
Jermaine Johnson and Kene Nwangwu will play Sunday, Aaron Glenn tells reporters in London.
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) October 10, 2025
A boost for the maligned defense.
The end of musical kick returners. #Jets
Johnson’s return should bring a massive boost to the rest of the defensive line, especially for Will McDonald IV. If these two can keep Nix under constant pressure, the Jets should see no shortage of takeaway opportunities, which will set Justin Fields and the offense up nicely for success.
Final Prediction: Jets lose 17-27
As I said in my Week 5 keys to victory, I can’t pick the Jets to win a game until they finally win a game. I’d love to be proven wrong, but as things stand now I just can’t justify picking the Jets over the well-coached Broncos, especially not after the way they fought back to beat the previously undefeated Philadelphia Eagles last week.