After the Jets fell 30-14 to the Patriots, Luke Falk's assessment of his debut start as an NFL quarterback was blunt.
The second-year pro put the blame on himself after he completed 12 of 22 passes (54.5 percent) for 98 yards and an interception during Sunday's Week 3 defeat to New England (3-0) at Gilette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachussetts.
The way New York (0-3) remained winless as its offense -- unable to put points on the board while the defense scored both touchdowns via cornerback Arthur Maulet's end zone fumble recovery and safety Jamal Adams' 61-yard interception return -- searched for answers.
"Offensively, we didn't (show up)," Falk said. "Our defense and special teams did. I think, for us, on offense, there are some positive things to look at. But we've got to look at ourselves in the mirror, and it starts with me first. I just can't take sacks, put us in a bad situation. We were in third-and-18 a few times. We can't convert that way, and I've got to do a better job."
From practice squad to Jets starter, Falk's first time under center to begin an NFL game -- against the reigning Super Bowl LIII champions and longtime AFC East Division leaders -- made for a tall task.
The Patriots sacked Falk five times for 29 yards, following the trend from last Monday's 23-3 loss against the Cleveland Browns, who dropped the quarterback twice (15 yards).
But off the bench against the Browns, Falk was far more efficient, going 20 for 25 passing (80.0 percent) with 198 yards in relief of backup quarterback Trevor Siemian.
Decimated by injuries between Siemian's year-ending ankle injury from Week 2 and starter Sam Darnold's mononucleosis after Week 1, the Jets have Falk and recently signed David Fales to round out the depth at the position.
The Jets have Week 4 off before Week 5 poses the latest challenge against the Eagles, a 1 p.m. kickoff at Lincoln Financial Stadium in Philadelphia.
"We gotta look ourselves in the mirror, that starts with me first" - Luke Falk pic.twitter.com/KBHlazZxCL
- Jets Videos (@snyjets) September 22, 2019