New York Jets’ Week 14 Report Card

Dec 8, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets coach Rex Ryan reacts during the game against the Oakland Raiders at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Big win for the Jets yesterday, staying in the playoff race, at least for the time being. Let’s get right to the grades for this week. Needless to say, they are a bit better than what we had to report last week.

QUARTERBACK: B+ Yesterday was a great comeback game for Geno Smith. 16-25 for 219 yards and one touchdown is the efficient outing we have been waiting for from this young man. Other than the one interception, he made good decisions, and was accurate with his throws. He used his legs to the tune of five carries for 50 yards and one touchdown as well.

His touchdown that came in the drive after his INT showed a lot. He didn’t get down, he fought back and played a terrific game. The only thing preventing the “A” was the one interception. Hey, I have to give him something to work for, can’t let him rest on his laurels.

RUNNING BACKS: B- Isn’t it fun to watch Chris Ivory work? I said it in the off-season, he runs like he is mad at the turf. He ran like an angry man yesterday, to the tune of 18 carries for 76 yards and one touchdown, from 15 yards out. Bilal Powell was not so lucky, running it eight times for 14 yards, 11 of them coming on one play. But Ivory’s performance was good enough to bring the grade to a “B”.

WIDE RECEIVERS AND TIGHT ENDS: B- It’s great to actually have receivers on the field. Santonio Holmes and Jeremy Kerley actually being active was already a plus. And, they both played well. Kerley made a beautiful catch on his touchdown pass, pulling down the jump ball in front of multiple defenders. Santonio Holmes looked healthy and up to his old tricks. Kellen Winslow posted 61 yards on three catches, showing us what he can do when he is feeling healthy. Nobody had a “great” game, so I kept the grade to a “B”, but make no mistake, it was a step up for this group this week.

OFFENSIVE LINE: A- Got to give the big guys up front a big grade for their performance this week. Geno was sacked only once, giving him pretty much a clean game. He had sufficient time to play an efficient game that we outlined earlier. The running game averaged 4.5 yards per carry, led by Chris Ivory’s 18 carries for 76 yards. All in all a great afternoon for the line.

Dec 17, 2012; Nashville, TN, USA; New York Jets players and coaches observe a moment of silence in honor of the shooting victims of Sandy Hook elementary school before the game against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field. From left: quarterback Mark Sanchez (6), coach Rex Ryan and defensive backs coach Dennis Thurman and cornerback Ellis Lankster (26). Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

It wasn’t a great afternoon for Rex and DT’s defense however:

DEFENSIVE LINE: D+ Surprisingly enough, these guys just didn’t look good yesterday. They were not in Oakland quarterback Matt McGloin’s face at all, all day long. Nobody recorded a sack. The Raiders were able to average over five yards per carry on the ground, and that goes in big part against this normally stout group. It didn’t cost them the game, since the offense played well, but that doesn’t take away the fact that they played poorly. Did Mo Wilkerson come to this one?

LINEBACKERS: C- Taking the numbers in a vacuum, we can basically say the same thing about the linebackers that we said above regarding the defensive line. Demario Davis made a couple of nice plays that drew roars from the sparse crowd. Calvin Pace added a sack late in the game, bringing the grade up from a “D” to a “C”. But the defense was not its normal self, that’s for sure.

DEFENSIVE BACKS: D Despite Ed Reed’s 62nd career interception, and Dawan Landry’s team leading seven tackles, the group did not look good. Matt McGloin did complete 18 of 31 passes for a game high 245 yards passing. They were beaten for a long play once again, when Rod Streater took a Matt McGloin pass 48 yards for a score.

SPECIAL TEAMS: A Nick the Folk Hero kicked three more field goals, with a 51 yarder as the long. We have already talked today about the great blocked punt by Antonio Allen, designed by special teams coach Ben Kotwica. It was a great design, Allen came through untouched for the block. It was nice to see this unit make a big play.