New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan has admitted that quarterback Geno Smith may have been roughed up by the Buffalo Bills defense on Sunday.
Smith completed just eight of 23 passes for 103 yards during the Jets' 37-14 loss, committing four turnovers including three interceptions to get a quarterback rating of just 10.1 - the lowest for a Jets starter since 2009.
The rookie was hit early in the match by defensive end Marcell Dareus, and Ryan has acknowledged that that may have contributed to his poor performance.
"We've got to get him dialled-in better. Normally, the strength of Geno is his pocket presence and pocket awareness," Ryan told reporters.
"Whether it was because he was taking hits, I feel he never had the feel he normally does.
"The fact that he got hit, and hit hard a few times, might have had something to do with it."
Smith has made just one touchdown pass in the last five games, throwing eight interceptions in the same period.
