Team Grades: Jets Come Up Just Short Against Pats As Disappointing Season Winds Down
By Danny Cox
The New York Jets have been through a lot this season and going into the game against the New England Patriots with a 3-11 record is not where any team wants to be. Ending week 16 with a 3-12 record after a 17-16 loss isn't anywhere any team wants to be either, but it was a good fight.
It was just a sloppy game for both teams with some turnovers, hardly any yards by either offense, and a game that just had to happen. The Patriots are heading to the playoffs, and the Jets are heading into the offseason with a lot of likely changes coming their way.
Coaching
Rex Ryan is said to be on his way out of New York, and it's hard to tell what he may have had in store for this week, but it almost worked. Not much was going right on offense, but still, there was an even mix of run and pass to the point that it worked out well for the Jets.
Defensively, the Jets applied pressure to Tom Brady and were able to keep the Patriots' running game in check. The offense simply couldn't put enough points on the board and finish out drives. Everything was in place, but there was just too much of a talent mismatch.
Grade: B
Offense
Geno Smith had a decent game as he completed 17-of-27 attempts and one touchdown, but he had just 210 yards passing and was sacked twice. He also threw an interception that killed a drive dead. Chris Ivory and Chris Johnson could get next to nothing going as they had just 83 yards combined in 21 carries.
There was a good plan in place, but nothing was executed well for more than a couple of plays at a time.
Grade: C+
Defense
Holding the New England Patriots' explosive offense to just 231 total yards is impressive for anyone and any team in the NFL. Brady was hounded all day and it caused him to throw an interception and led to him being sacked four times for a loss of 36 total yards.
The Patriots had short fields for their two touchdown drives (36 and 38 yards), so the defense did a good job all day. When the opposing offense, especially one with Tom Brady at the helm, has to go less than 40 yards to score? Well, then it's hard to keep them out of the end zone.
Grade: B+
Special Teams
Nick Folk hit three of four field goal attempts with a long of 37 yards, but his most important kick of the day was the miss halfway through the fourth quarter. There's no telling if the Jets would have held on to win, but after his 52-yard attempt was tipped by New England's Vince Wolfork, the Patriots ran out the final five-plus minutes.
Ryan Quigley had a decent day of punting as he pinned the Pats inside their own 20 once and even had a long of 57 yards.
The return game, kickoff and punt, did much of nothing to help the Jets get decent field position.
Grade: B-
For more Jets news and updates, visit Jets Central.
Danny Cox knows a little something about the NFL, whether it means letting you know what penalty will come from the flag just thrown on the field or quickly spouting off who the Chicago Bears drafted in the first round of the 1987 draft (Jim Harbaugh). He plans on bringing you the best news, previews, recaps, and anything else that may come along with the exciting world of the National Football League. Danny is a freelance writer covering all things NFL. His work can be found on Examiner.com.
