New York Jets Report Card: Week 9
Jacksonville Jaguars @ New York Jets
Quarterback: B+
Fitzpatrick: 21/34, 272 yards, 2 TD, 4 rushes for 0 yards
Fitzpatrick had his first full game as a Jet without an interception. He under-threw some passes as per usual, but he showed great poise battling against an injury to his off-hand, some injuries up front to his offensive line and a highly ineffective running game.
Running Backs: D
Ivory: 23/26/2, 3 receptions for 22 yards
Stacy: 1/3/0, 1 reception for 16 yards
Ivory struggled mightily, posting just a touch over 1 yard per rush. He did find the end zone twice, though, and contributed a bit in the passing game. At this point, the Jets would probably consider resting him on a short week against Buffalo were it not for the lack of other viable options.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends: B
Marshall: 4/44/1
Decker: 6/79/1
Thompkins: 4/45/0
Cumberland: 1/44/0
Kerley: 2/22/0
The Jets are still looking for a 3rd option behind Marshall and Decker. Kerley could be that guy, but they need to get him more involved. Decker and Marshall, meanwhile, remain a formidable 2 man show. Marshall stuck the dagger into the Jags twice: once with a late touchdown and again by recovering an important fumble.
Offensive Line: D+
Mangold left early and that threw the offense into a tailspin. They never did manage to establish the running game but Johnson settled in at center enough to allow Fitzpatrick to lead a few drives.
Defensive Line: B
Very solid bounce back effort from the defensive line. They controlled the line of scrimmage, allowing the linebackers to make plays.
Linebackers: B+
The Jaguars netted 98 yards on the ground, but much of that came on one big run by Yeldon which was followed by a turnover shortly thereafter. Rookie Lorenzo Mauldin contributed 2 sacks and if he becomes a mainstay for the Jets, this may be looked at as his breakout game. Calvin Pace forced and recovered a fumble, it was arguably the first big play for the long-tenured outside linebacker.
Secondary: C+
Blake Bortles threw for a whopping 381 yards as Antonio Cromartie was toasted and Revis had an up and down game. Marcus Williams came down with two picks.
Special Teams:D+
Kellen Davis contributed to the win by recovering a fumble on a punt return, but overall, the special teams was dreadful once again. The Jets do not have a proper kick returner or punt returner, they’re weak in coverage and their punting is poor. To make matters worse, kicker Nick Folk (the only bright spot for the Jets on special teams) suffered an injury and punter Ryan Quigley was forced to assume kicking duties.
Coaching: C
The Jets scheming needs to improve to stop QB scrambles on broken down plays. Bowles’ conservative play-calling once again cost the Jets as they didn’t try to push the ball down the field at the end of the 1st half. Instead, they went 3 and out and Jacksonville scored a touchdown before the half, flipping the momentum considerably. This was the 3rd straight week in which the Jets threw up the white flag at the end of a half.