EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — In Week 1 of a new N.F.L. season and at Game 1 of Todd Bowles’s tenure as Jets head coach, the dark cloud of violence that has been a fixture over the league descended on MetLife Stadium as if it had been waiting for just that moment.
It took all of 14 minutes for the first concussion to occur, another 25 for a star Jets player to tear up his knee, and three and a half quarters for a player to be carted off the field, motionless, as teammates, opponents, fans and many thousands of TV viewers looked on.