New York Jets Report Card: Week 2
New York Jets @ Indianapolis Colts
Quarterback: B
Fitzpatrick: 22/34, 244, 2 TD/1 INT
I’m sticking with a solid “B” for Fitzpatrick for the 2nd straight week. Fitz struggles with the deep ball, just as advertised. Several of those deep throws were questionable as they went into double or triple coverage. Nevertheless, his sole interception wasn’t really his fault and even on those deep throws that I’m criticizing, he still excelled at placing the ball where a man in a white jersey had the best shot at it. For the first time in a long time, we’re seeing solid, professional veteran quarterback play and it’s refreshing.
Running Backs: B-
Ivory: 14/57/0, 2 receptions for 3 yards
Powell: 12/38/0, 4 receptions for 16 yards, 1 fumble
It was a down night for the backs, who didn’t get enough help from the offensive line. But even a hobbled Ivory is capable of impressing from time to time, and indeed he did with some good footwork and vision. Powell shines as a blocking back.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends: A-
Marshall: 7/101/1
Decker: 8/97/1
Enunwa: 1/27/0
Decker was targeted early and often. He played a great game, but left with a knee injury. Marshall has been simply spectacular to watch. Right now, he’s playing physically and with maximum effort. This combination of talent and hard work is tough to find anywhere in the league.
Offensive Line: B
The Colts were concerned about the Jets power running game and devoted resources to stopping it. They did. But the Jets offensive line held up fantastically against a Colts pass rush that looked feistier than it did against the Bills last season, especially with the return of Mathis.
Defensive Line: A
The secondary will take most of the credit for this win, but they couldn’t have done it without the big boys up front. They didn’t post a sack all night, but the pressure was relentless.
Linebackers: B
The Colts posted 3.9 yards per carry, but that doesn’t tell the whole tale. Apart from a small handful of drives, Indy’s running game was ineffective. More importantly, what of our fear that opposing Tight Ends would shred our linebackers in coverage? Colts Tight Ends didn’t make a single reception. David Harris forced a fumble off of Andrew Luck.
Secondary: A
Moncrief caught 7 passes for 122 yards and a TD and Cromartie got burned for a TD again. You know what? It doesn’t matter. Revis, Gilchrist and Pryor each tallied a pick, Skrine pressured Luck leading to Pryor’s pick and Revis also recovered two fumbles. The Jets secondary had its hands in 5 turnovers. I’ll take that any day.
Special Teams: C-
The Jets return team didn’t get much of a chance, netting 0 yards on kick and punt returns. Nick Folk missed a field goal, but was 2/3 otherwise with a long of 46 and 2/2 on those new PATs that make some of us so nervous.
Coaching: B
Gailey’s playcalling after Davis left with an injury was too conservative for my liking, but the offense still did its thing and the defensive gameplan had Luck flustered all night.