Jets Struggle with Third-Down Conversions, Matching 30-Year Low

The Jets had a disappointing performance on third downs in Sunday’s loss to the Bills, failing to convert on any of their 11 attempts. This poor showing contributes to their ongoing struggles on third downs this season, as they have only managed to convert 30 out of 131 attempts after ten games.

According to Pro Football Reference data dating back to 1991, the Jets’ 22.9% conversion rate on third downs is the lowest for any team over that time period. The 2005 49ers and 2002 Cowboys both converted 24% of their third downs, making that the benchmark that the Jets will have to reach in order to avoid having the worst third down conversion rate in history by the end of the season.

Despite Zach Wilson being the quarterback for most of those third down tries, head coach Robert Saleh made a change during Sunday’s game. Tim Boyle relieved Wilson in the third quarter and Saleh stated after the game that they will make a decision on Monday about who will start against the Dolphins in the NFL’s inaugural Black Friday game.