FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- New York Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson, mired in his longest sack drought since 2012, agrees with his critics.

Asked to assess his performance through five games, Wilkerson said Thursday, "Sh---y."

Come again?

"Sh---y," he said matter-of-factly.

Wilkerson has come under fire for the first time in his career. He's coming off a 12-sack season and his first Pro Bowl selection, which helped him land a five-year, $86 million contract in July. He opened the season with 1.5 sacks against the Cincinnati Bengals, but he has gone four straight games without a sack.

"I'm not about to make excuses," Wilkerson said. "We all have to play better."

Indeed, the Jets have managed only five sacks since exploding with seven sacks in the opener. At the same time, the pass defense has struggled. They've allowed eight touchdown passes in the last two games, and now they go on the road to face Carson Palmer, Larry Fitzgerald and the Arizona Cardinals on Monday night.

"It's getting thrown over our heads, we have to pressure, we have to get sacks, we have to play better defense," Wilkerson said.

"Everything is hand in hand," he continued. "The DBs have to play better coverage, we have to get after the quarterback more. We've got a lot of talented guys up front. People are going to scheme us up and block us different ways. Like I said, it works hand in hand."

Defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers said the defensive line, which includes three former first-round picks, has performed better than any other position group on defense. The Jets are No. 2 in rushing defense (68.4 yards per game), but Wilkerson, Richardson and Leonard Williams have combined for only seven sacks, including five by Williams.

Richardson said opponents have adjusted after their seven-sack onslaught of Andy Dalton in Week 1.

"The Bengals are a vertical team and hold the ball a little longer, so you get more time to get to the quarterback," he said. "That's the reason guys are getting the ball out quick. They noticed that and I'm pretty sure offensive coordinators don't want to give up seven sacks in a game. ... They've been hitting us with quick stuff and they've been successful doing it."

Palmer is known as a vertical passer, so the Jets should have opportunities to sack him.

"If we can't get to him," Rodgers said, "it's going to be a long day for us."