The Jets wrapped up their 2018 season in fitting fashion, getting their doors blown off by New England Patriots by a final score of 38-3. The team is expected to close the book on the Todd Bowles era after a 4-12 season, his worst with the Jets. How’d the Jets grade out in their final contest? Let’s take a look.
Quarterback: B
Sam Darnold started off cold, completing just one of his first six pass attempts. He would heat up after that, going 15-22 the rest of the way. Robby Anderson and Chris Herndon both dropped TD passes from Darnold that would have made the game, and Darnold’s stat line, much better. Running back Trenton Cannon also dropped a Darnold bomb down the right sideline that would have been a big gainer.
Running Backs: D
Once again there was very little running room for the backs to work with and it was reflected in the box score as Jets backs combined for just 76 yards on 22 carries. Eli McGuire also chipped in 24 yards on two receptions.
Wide Receivers: C-
Robby Anderson had a pair of drops, one of which was a killer in the end zone. One bright spot was the play of undrafted rookie free agent Deontay Burnett. After spending much of the year on the inactive list, Burnett got some run and hauled in five balls for 73 yards. Barnett’s play can only make one wonder how much he could have helped the Jets offense over the course of the season had he been given a legitimate opportunity.
Tight Ends: D
A dropped TD for Chris Herndon was the biggest play of the day for the tight ends as Herndon and Jordan Leggett combined for just 2 receptions for fifteen yards. Yuck.
Offensive Line: F
This group needs several upgrades this offseason if the offense is ever going to have an impact. Running backs simply have no room to work with behind this group, and the pass blocking, while rated 12th in the NFL by pro football focus, could use some work as well.
Defensive Line: D
The defensive line held Sony Michel to just 3.6 yards per carry, but didn’t do enough to put pressure on Tom Brady to force any early throws. Leonard Williams had the team’s only sack, his fifth of the year.
Linebackers: D
No pressure from the ‘backers and the Patriots turned several short completions in to big gains. The Jets have a big decision to make in the case of Darron Lee.
Secondary: F
The secondary was torched for much of the day as Buster Skrine looked to give up an a TD pass to Juian Edelman and Rashard Robinson was consistently picked on in coverage. Despite having a better free safety on the roster in Terrence Brooks, Todd Bowles opted to start Rontez Miles at safety. The lone bright spot was second-year corner Derrick Jones who looked good at times and earned praise from the play-by-play booth at times. Could be another good player who just didn’t get a shot to show what he could do.
Special Teams: C
Jason Myers accounted for the only points of the day and the Patriots kicked the ball away from Andre Johnson until the outcome was no longer in doubt.
Coaching: Moot point
No need to pile on a dead man walking. This was Todd Bowles’ final game as the head coach of the New York Jets. Despite his many failures as a coach, he conducted himself like a pro and will easily bounce back from this firing to find a job somewhere.