Jets Shutout by Chargers

The Jets lost their fourth game in a row, getting run over by Phillip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers 31-0.

The Jets couldn’t get anything going on offense for all of the first quarter. The defense couldn’t get off the field. Jets’ cornerback Phillip Adams had the defense’s first interception of the season in the second quarter, stealing a second touchdown from the Chargers, only to have Chris Johnson fumble the ball away on the very next play, and the Chargers scored a touchdown on the next series.

The defense allowed a third touchdown with 42 seconds left in the second quarter. On a Hail Mary pass, Geno Smith threw an interception. At halftime, it was 21-0.

Michael Vick started the second half to provide a “spark”…and picked up right where Geno Smith left off, with a three and out.

San Diego scored more points. The Jets didn’t even manage to get to the Chargers half of the field until the middle of the fourth quarter. Eric Decker didn’t play and everyone else was MIA, unable to get open and dropping passes or committing penalties when they do. Chris Johnson was awful, Chris Ivory’s impact was minimal. Why Bilal Powell is completely ignored is unclear.

Even the run defense, the only part of the team that isn’t usually a complete train wreck, got shellacked today. The secondary was torched routinely. Guys missed tackles. The defense allowed four 80+ yard drives.

There really aren’t words to describe how awful the Jets were today. They were shut out, they were 1-12 on third down, they were undisciplined and penalized all over the place, they didn’t get to the Charger half of the field until the fourth, the Chargers outgained the Jets 439 yards to 151 yards, and most of New York’s yards came in garbage time. It was the kind of horrific game that gives Jets fans nightmares.

Smith and Vick were a combined 12 of 31 for 60 yards with no touchdowns. Smith had the one harmless interception at the end of the first half, and Vick managed to commit two penalties that resulted in loss of down. Both were manhandled and pressured due to poor offensive line play.

At 1-4, it appears now that the roster, which nobody thought was world beating but would at least be serviceable does not appear capable of even that. Outside the defensive line, nobody on this team has stepped up in any way.

There is so much blame to go around here. There’s John Idzik, for putting the roster together. There’s Rex Ryan, for being unable to develop even one offensive player in six years in an offensive league. Most of all, there’s Woody Johnson, for hiring a general manager and forcing him to keep the coach.

While this game may have felt like rock bottom, the Jets face the Denver Broncos next week. Judging by recent results, Peyton Manning will feast on the flesh of destroy the secondary. If this wasn’t rock bottom, next week probably will be. Get excited, Jets fans. Kickoff is at 1:00 PM.

Kristine Gammer

I'm a 27 year old native New Yorker, currently writing about about my beloved New York Jets for JetNation.com, usually with dark humor and sometimes with good insight. Jets fan since childhood - thanks (for nothing?) Dad!

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