EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Near the end of his post-game news conference, New York Jets coach Todd Bowles was asked if there were any positives from the blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills. The question comes up after almost every defeat, and he usually answers, "No, we lost." This time, Bowles was quick with a reply. It was hard to tell if it was an attempt at gallows humor or a message to his critics.
"We had one penalty," said Bowles, long criticized for his team's high penalty rate.
Oh, the irony.
On the worst day of Bowles' head-coaching career, the Jets finally cured an old bugaboo.