The New York Jets host the Baltimore Ravens in NFL Week 7

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5, bottom) is sacked by New York Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson (91) late in the first quarter of NFL Week 7 action at MetLife Stadium. 10/23/16 (Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

FLORHAM PARK -- After the first week of the season, there was one clear-cut assessment of the 2016 Jets: Their defensive line was going to be unbelievable.

The unit, led by Muhammad Wilkerson and Leonard Williams, had just sacked Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton seven times ... and Sheldon Richardson was set to return the ensuing week.

Williams, Richardson and Wilkerson? All on the field at the same time? God bless the quarterback who dare attempt a five-step drop.

Fast forward three months, and things have gone a bit downhill. The Jets have 12 total sacks since Week 1. Richardson? 1.5 during the stretch. Williams? 3.5. Wilkerson? One.

Todd Bowles' assessment?

"They're playing hard," the Jets' coach said. "I'm happy with the way they're playing."

Well, uh, OK then.

In a year of disappointments (and there have been a ton), it's hard to find something more mind boggling than the disappearance of the Jets' pass rush. Sure, cornerback Darrelle Revis has been awful. Yes, quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick is the worst statistical passer in the league.

But the defensive line? Holy cow ...

Richardson, Wilkerson and Williams are considered to be among the best 3-4 defensive ends in the league. Yet, for some reason, have been invisible more times than not. The Jets' 19 team sacks rank 29th in the NFL. Just the 49ers, Browns and Raiders have less.

Be it for health concerns (Wilkerson had leg surgery this offseason), or just a drop in production (Richardson, Williams), the trio hasn't shown up in even the biggest of games.

Last week, facing the division rival Patriots and a hobbled Tom Brady, the three combined for seven total tackles and three quarterback hurries. To put that number in perspective, Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul had seven tackles, three sacks, three tackles for a loss and a forced fumble against the Browns.

Yes, yes, the Browns are the Browns. But when the Jets played Cleveland, Wilkerson, Williams and Richardson managed just six tackles, one sack and a tackle for a loss.

"The ball is coming out quicker," Bowles said. "Obviously, (Richardson and Wilkerson) get paid attention to a lot more. The double teams are there. The outside linebackers have got to win some. It's just part of it.

"We just haven't had a chance. Disrupting the quarterback sometimes is just as important as getting the sack. We just haven't gotten sacks."

Double teams may be new for Williams, who is in his second season, but Richardson and Wilkerson have been the focal point of the Jets' defense these last four years. They've dealt with double teams before. It never used to be an issue.

Entering this season, Wilkerson had 28 sacks in his last 45 games. Many of those games he faced double teams. Richardson had 13 sacks in his last 27 games entering this season. Again, he saw his fair share of double teams, too.

The idea of Wilkerson and Richardson suddenly receiving new attention this year is asinine. Both players are Pro Bowlers, and Richardson the league's Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2013. Teams have been game planning to stop them for years.

Not to mention, it's near impossible for an offense to double team three players at the same time. Maybe one or two get the extra attention, but that doesn't excuse the third from not making an impact.

The Jets clearly have an issue. Unfortunately for them, they seem to be the only ones who don't realize it.

"You expect more from them regardless of who's over there," Bowles said. "As a defensive coach, you want a great defense. We expect a lot out of each other.

"We have to keep grinding. You've got to keep harping on it. It's the same guys as last year. Everybody's got to tighten up a little bit."

Connor Hughes may be reached at chughes@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connor_J_Hughes. Find NJ.com Jets on Facebook.