New York Jets Week Six Report Card

Oct 13, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets running back Bilal Powell (29) runs with the ball during the first half of their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

We know it was a rough day yesterday from MetLife. No need to dwell on the final score, let’s just get right to the grades.

QUARTERBACK: C+ Yesterday was a step back for Geno Smith. 19-34 for 201 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions. Not only did he have two interceptions, but they were the worst kind, red zone interceptions. They weren’t the long bomb interceptions that work out like punts. The team didn’t move the ball consistently, and they gave the ball up in the red zone. I’m not calling for Simms, but we have to call it as we see it with Geno’s play.

RUNNING BACKS: C+ The Jets worked hard to establish the run early in this one. Rex Ryan admitted that the playbook was a bit more “conservative” this week. The group never really took control, early in the game, when they had a chance. Bilal Powell led the way with 30 yards, Mike Goodson with 29, and Chris Ivory with sixteen. They didn’t establish well early in the game, and by the time the second half came around, the lead expanded and the Jets had to leave the running game alone a bit.

WIDE RECEIVERS AND TIGHT ENDS: B This group suffered greatly without Santonio Holmes and Kellen Winslow. Geno Smith was lacking weapons that were getting open for him consistently. But, when they were open, they did catch the football. Clyde Gates actually led the team in receptions! I never thought that sentence would be uttered in the history of mankind. Jeff Cumberland is also becoming quite the weapon from the tight end position. Although he didn’t catch a touchdown, he did four receptions for 59 yards.

For what they had, they performed pretty well.

OFFENSIVE LINE: B+ The offensive line did not perform that badly. The running game did average over four yards per carry. Geno Smith did have time, for the most part, to make his throws. The Jets’ offensive line is improving each and every week. Brian Winters played much better than he did last week as well, proving he will be a welcome addition, as opposed to our ex, Mr. Ducasse.

Oct 13, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (96) sacks Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) during the second half at MetLife Stadium. The Steelers won the game 19-6. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

DEFENSIVE LINE: B+ This defensive line is still, well, this defensive line. They come to play each and every week, and play well. The Steelers ran for under three yards per carry on the ground and were in Ben’s face. Big Mo nearly got to Big Ben for a safety early in the game. Imagine how that might have changed the context of this game, huh? Sheldon Richardson was huge as well, posting 5.5 tackles and a forced fumble. I’m certainly not going to take them to task in a game where nothing happened on the ground.

LINEBACKERS: B These guys, as usual, were stout against the run as well. David Harris led the way with eight tackles and one sack. However, there were open lanes for Big Ben to throw all day, especially over the middle. Big Ben’s favorite target, Health Miller, was open most of the game, posting six catches for 84 yards. Antonio Brown added 86 yards on nine catches.

DEFENSIVE BACKS: D+ Now these guys were flat-out awful. Antonio Cromartie said that his knee wasn’t bothering him, but he clearly was not himself. Nobody defended well on the back-end. Anytime the opposing quarterback completes 76% of his passes, like Roethlisberger did yesterday, the defensive backfield played quite badly. Not a great day for Cromartie and friends.

SPECIAL TEAMS: B We up the grade for the special teams just a bit because Clyde Gates was actually a positive influence on it. He ran back two kickoffs and averaged over 28 yards per return. Yes, that Clyde Gates. Shocking, isn’t it? So the garde goes up to a B as the special teams unit did its job, as usual.

Where do your grades lie?