Another week and another embarrassing performance for the New York Jets. Now officially eliminated from playoff contention, the Jets lost their fifth in a row and their sixth out of seven. And for all of hype surrounding Mike White’s return, the QB just wasn’t himself, doing his best Zach Wilson impersonation as he missed one open receiver after another.
Things got off to an ominous start as the Seahawks watched rookie running back Kenneth Walker rip off a sixty-yard run on his first carry of the game as Seattle needed just four plays to find the end zone on a drive that was capped by a Geno Smit touchdown pass to tight end Colby Parkinson. Matched up against the 5′ 8” Lamarcus Joyner, the 6′ 7” Parkinson made it look easy.
White would then come out and throw his first of two interceptions on the day as he heaved up a prayer to Denzel Mims under duress. Double covered, Mims would watch as Qunadre Diggs came away with the pick.
The two teams would trade field goals to make it 10-3 before the Seahawks struck again as Smith hit practice squad call up DK DJ Dallas for a touchdown from 7 yards out. At 17-3, with White having his worst game of the season, you felt like the game was over. And for all intents and purposes, it was.
The Jets would manage just one more field goal the rest of the way as the Seahawks walked away with the 23-6 victory. Curiously, the Jets abandoned a run game that was working well and continued to rely on the ailing White, who was medically cleared but obviously not himself.
Running backs Ty Johnson and Bam Knight finished the game with 16 carries for 73 yards (4.5 YPC) while White finished up 23-46 through the air. This game is another forgettable moment for offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur whose offense has been productive when he has had anyone other than Zach Wilson under center, but some of the decision making has been frustrating at times.
Lots of decisions for Robert Saleh and the Jets moving forward as Gang Green has only their week 17 meeting with the Miami Dolphins. It’s a chance to play spoiler or move up in draft position. Neither of which are where the Jets hoped to be.