Week 4: Detroit Lions @ New York Jets
QB: D
Geno Smith: 17/33, 209 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 1 fumble
Geno avoided major mistakes for a full half, but his throws were off all day. When he turned the ball over on back to back drives in the 2nd half, you just knew the game was over right then and there. His touchdown/turnover ratio is even in most games and that’s not going to cut it.
Backs: B+
Chris Johnson: 6 carries for 44 yards, 1 TD, 2 receptions for 17 yards
Chris Ivory: 17 carries for 84 yards, 2 receptions for 16 yards
Ivory was an absolute monster in the running game, though he did drop a couple of passes and commit a false start. Johnson had a nice carry late in the game that kept the Jets in it.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends: C-
Eric Decker: 4 receptions for 48 yards, 1 TD
David Nelson: 1 reception for 7 yards
Jeremy Kerley: 1 reception for 3 yards
Jace Amaro: 5 receptions for 58 yards
Greg Salas: 2 receptions for 60 yards
Decker had a productive day, but also more drops than you might expect out of him. Salas impressed, showing tremendous YAC ability. Amaro was solid. Nelson left with an injury, while Kerley and the rest of the receiving group were quiet all game long.
Offensive Line: C-
The Jets offensive line held their own at times against a ferocious Lions defensive line. But by the end of the game, they showed signs of breaking. Mangold sailed a snap over Geno’s head when he wasn’t ready for it. The line committed multiple false start penalties… at home.
Defensive Line: B+
The big guys up front did a nice job of disrupting the Lions offense, but they eventually ran out of gas.
Linebackers: C
An adequate, but certainly not an impressive game out of the linebackers. They were put in a tough position, being called to line up on guys like Reggie Bush. The middle of the Jets defense was targeted far too often.
Secondary: F
Poor tackling, poor communication… poor talent.
Special Teams: B+
With the exception of 1 sub-par punt at the end of the 1st half, punter Ryan Quigley kept the Jets in the game with some tremendous bombs launched from within the Jets endzone.
Coaching: C-
After the Jets drew within 7 in the 3rd quarter, the Lions offense marched right back down the field on the Jets defense, taking the wind out of their sails. Marty’s offensive gameplan was far too conservative, and let to numerous 3 and outs, especially in the 1st half.
