Week 16: Cleveland Browns @ New York Jets
Quarterback: B+
Smith: 20/36, 214 yards, 2 TD, 10 rushes for 48 yards, 1 TD
Geno Smith delivered one of the best games of his season thusfar. After more than a quarter of disappointing play, he showed up to lead 2 drives to tie the game at the end of the 1st half. From there, he continued to be efficient if not flashy, and he didn’t have a turnover. Games like this are flashes of what Jets fans hope that Geno can become: a quarterback that runs enough to be considered a dual threat, but not so much that it takes away from what he gives you in the passing game, and not so much that it exposes him to injuries.
Backs: A
Ivory: 20 rushes for 109 yards
Powell: 7 rushes for 54 yards, 4 receptions for 26 yards
Ivory continues to step it up in the 2nd half of the season, making general manager John Idzik quite happy with his acquisition. Ivory is like a poor man’s Marshawn Lynch, and for a team starved for offensive playmakers, that is a great blessing. Powell had an effective game.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends: B
Kerley: 5 receptions for 70 yards, 1 rush for 8 yards
Nelson: 4 receptions for 33 yards, 2 TD
Winslow: 3 receptions for 35 yards
Cumberland: 2 receptions for 30 yards
Holmes: 2 receptions for 20 yards
Kerley is the only wide receiver on the team that is a sure thing for 2014, and you can only wonder how this season might have played out differently had he remained healthy all season. Nelson has been a pleasent surprise, and has risen from scrapheap pickup to competent back-end receiver.
Offensive Line: A
When he wasn’t being pushed late (or flopping) out of bounds, Geno Smith was kept out of harm’s way all day. The line did a great job blocking for the run, as well.
Defensive Line: A
It was a tremendous day for a defensive line that just continues to improve, and is showing itself to be amongst the best in the league.
Linebackers: B-
Calvin Pace had his 10th sack of the season, but this unit struggled at times against the run, and failed to contain Browns QB Jason Campbell when plays broke down.
Secondary: C+
It was an up and down day for the secondary, but both Ed Reed and Dee Milliner notched picks and Campbell was held to less than 200 yards passing.
Special Teams: D
Nick Folk missed his second field goal of the season. Hey, he’s entitled to miss one every now and then. Josh Bush failed to convert on a fake punt. Special teams also broke down in kick coverage, allowing a kick to be returned to midfield.
Coaching: B
The Jets were slow to get out of the gates as the 1st quarter of play was dreadful to watch. But the team showed that they were ready, willing and able to give their all in defense of Rex’s job and adjustments made late in the 2nd quarter turned the game around for good.
