TO CLOSE

The WR Jets, Jermaine Kearse, are talking about the team's 37-17 loss to the Vikings on Sunday at the MetLife stadium.
Andy Vasquez, Editor, @andy_vasquez

EAST RUTHERFORD – There was a common theme in the Jets' dressing room Sunday night after their 37-17 defeat against the Vikings.

Yes, it was a step back. But among the Jets, they believe they are close. They are certain to have learned from last season's mistakes and their three-game losing streak earlier this year.

"This game, I do not think it defines who we are as a team or what this season is going to be," said Jets wide receiver Jermaine Kearse. "We still have a lot of football. We are still in the first half of this season. "

Kearse is right. The Jets still have nine games to play and at 3-4 they are in the middle of the AFC playoff race.

However, some trends in Sunday's loss were troubling. The Jets offensive, led by quarterback Sam Darnold, was a disaster. The defense has abandoned too many big games. And the special teams had a nightmare day.

Still, the Jets were lucky enough to come back in the game until the fourth quarter, but the silly mistakes never stopped.

Many see Sunday's result as the Jets return to what they are: a deeply imperfect team. But in the locker room, games like Sunday are thought to be just another step in their growth process.

"Adversity is part of everything," said Kearse. "And how are we managing the situation, how are we managing this loss and that we will come back next week and say how conscientious we are.

"We have to be a very demanding team and I'm going to preach that this whole week and a lot of guys are on the same wavelength as to how we want to do the rest of the season."

Here is the beauty of this situation: the Jets are exactly the same place as a year ago, a match under the .500 mark after week 7.

The story continues after the gallery.

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Last year's Jets crashed, losing seven of their last nine games.

Safety Jamal Adams insisted that this year's Jets will not have that chance.

"I will not let that happen," Adams said. "That's why it's simple and clear, it's not going to happen."

Adams went even further, claiming that this Jets team had the talent to compete at the moment.

"We are close," Adams said. "This team is an excellent team. We have a list of 53 people full of talent. There is no "We are waiting for next year" or rebuild. There are not any. At the end of the day, I think this team can be special, as long as we keep doing the little things and working on them. "

The Jets say they have learned and grown up. But the coming weeks will tell the true story. It's time to check.

Here is an overview of our points to remember and the observations of Sunday's defeat against the Vikings. You can read our full account of Sam Darnold's disappointing day here.

Not so special

It was a bad day for the Jets' special teams. Andre Roberts had two fumbles, including a punt sleeve. Miraculously, the Jets did not lose the ball on any of these mistakes.

He also inexplicably let a punt pass over his head late in the third quarter after claiming a shot just around 30. The ball was shot down on the 8-yard line. Yes, it was a windy day and Roberts was a weapon for the Jets this season. But it was a bad day – despite two long punt returns (53 and 42 yards) in the second half – and Roberts had to be better.

He was not alone. Lachlan Edwards fell on a punt. The Jets also committed two personal fouls against special teams in the first three minutes of the game and scored a total of penalties for four special teams.

Aside from Roberts' long comeback, there was a good special moment for the team: Jason Myers made a 55-yard field goal. But overall, the Jets were not good enough on Sunday's special teams.

A problem

Spencer Long Center continues to struggle. Long, who had a problem with high shots off the shotgun all season, helped drive sales in the second quarter. His shot was too strong for Sam Darnold, which delayed the ball transfer to Isaiah Crowell. The exchange was dropped and the Jets lost the ball.

Long was also sentenced to a penalty at the end of the first half and had several more free kicks that were out of bounds. Long has been battling a finger injury for several weeks. Jets coach Todd Bowles understated the seriousness of Long's problems, but they cost the Jets Sunday.

Intensify

It was not so bad for the Jets. Here are some players who have excelled in defeat

* TE Chris Herndon: The rookie had a touchdown and came within inches of another on a day when virtually no other target was able to open.

* CB Darryl Roberts: He started all three home games with Trumaine Johnson and had his best game so far: he had 11 tackles (10 solo), two tackles for one loss and two defended passes.

* RB Trenton Cannon: He had his best game as a professional with four catches for 69 yards. The highlight was a 35-yard catch on a wheeled road that helped establish the first touchdown of the Jets.

injuries

The Jets are already screwed in the air and the situation deteriorated on Sunday as they may have lost two other key players due to an injury.

Offensive half Bilal Powell left with a neck injury before half-time and did not return. Safety Doug Middleton was injured in the pecs in the second quarter and did not return.

Bowles said Monday that the Jets feared that Middleton would have a ripped peck, but that he would undergo additional tests. There has been no update on the state of Powell.

Middleton is the Jets' backup safety and started for injured Marcus Maye on Sunday. The half-body is already thin and Eli McGuire is not eligible to return from the injured reserve until the 9th week.

Bowles said Monday that the Jets could add players to both safety and running in the coming days.

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