The New York Jets lost to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday 27-23. That, in itself, is not all that strange -- the Jets are 3-6, after all.
What was strange about the game is that New York's star defensive ends Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson were benched during the first quarter. The reason? According to the New York Daily News, both Wilkerson and Richardson were late to a team meeting earlier in the week.
Apparently, this was not an isolated incident of lateness, either. NJ.com reported that "[It happens] all the time," and that they often miss meetings altogether. Wilkerson was previously fined and benched for the first quarter of a game against the Giants in 2015 for being late to team meetings.
Wilkerson, Richardson and Jets coach Todd Bowles all declined to comment on the benching, other than Bowles saying it was a "coach's decision." Wilkerson left without speaking to the media after the game, while Richardson merely said "that was the starting lineup and that's where I was."
Next up for the Jets is a home date with the Rams, followed by a bye week and back-to-back home games against the Patriots and Colts. At 3-6 and several games behind even a wild-card spot, there does not appear to be much hope for the Jets to salvage their season. The least they can do is get everything in order with the strength of their defense before the year is out.
