Geno Smith Redux: Weeks Seven and Eight

Oct 20, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback

(7) runs for a touchdown during the second half of their game against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

For the last few days, we have been going back and reliving the 2013 season. Specifically, we have been reliving the 2013 season for Geno Smith. As we all know, it was an up and down rookie campaign, which is to be expected. When was it up? When was it down? And we will look at the ascension of his last two games, setting up his momentum going into 2014. So far we have looked at: Weeks one and two, weeks three and four, and weeks five and six.

Let’s move ahead with another session of “Geno Smith Redux”.  Here we go…….

WEEK SIX: VS NEW ENGLAND: In an odd scheduling note in 2013, the Jets/Patriots rivalry ran its course during the first half of the season.  They played week two in New England, with New England winning a close one, and now it was time for the rematch.  Geno’s second time in the rivalry.  How did it go?

It was a big day for Chris Ivory, running it 34 times for 104 yards, but what about Geno?

Well, on the opening drive, Geno led the team on a 12 play, 80 yard scoring drive, taking up 5:17, and ending with a touchdown pass of 12 yards to Jeremy Kerley.

However the offense stalled a bit, as it did most weeks.  We all remember the Antonio Allen pick six that turned the game around.  Shortly after, Geno Smith ran for an eight yard touchdown to put the Jets ahead 24-21 in the third quarter.  Finally, late in the game, Geno led the team on a fourth quarter drive that ended with another game-winning Nick Folk field goal, final score 30-27 in favor of the Jets.

For the game, Geno was 17-33 for 233 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and one rushing touchdown.  The bottom line was that he put his team in the position to win, which is all we want from our quarterback.

WEEK SEVEN: AT CINCINNATI

In this one, the other theme of the year came back to rear its ugly head.  “One step forward, two steps back”.

This one was not a good one for Geno Smith, or the Jets as a whole.  The final was 49-9 in favor of Andy Dalton and the Bengals.  Marvin Jones caught four touchdown passes.  It was not pretty.  How did Geno do?

Well, he threw two pick sixes, one on a pass intended for Jeremy Kerley, and one intended for David Nelson.  It goes without saying, but I will say it anyway, the quarterback cannot give away 14 points.  He was sacked on four other occasions.

His final line for the game was 20-30 for 159 yards, no touchdowns.

One step forward, and two steps back.