Geno Smith Redux: Weeks Nine and Eleven

Nov 3, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback

(7) walks off the field after defeating the New Orleans Saints at MetLife Stadium. The Jets won the game 26-20. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Good morning Jets’ fans. Time for another session of “Geno Smith Redux”.

We are halfway through our review of Geno Smith’s rookie season with the New York Jets. We are looking at the highs, the lows, and everything in between. In case you need to catch up, here are the previous entries:

Weeks One and TwoWeeks Three and FourWeeks Five and SixWeeks Seven and Eight

Now let’s begin the review of the second half of Geno Smith’s first season as the New York Jets’ quarterback:

WEEK NINE: VS. NEW ORLEANS:

The Jets entered this one with a 4-4 record, looking to head into the bye week on a high note.  The Saints came into town sporting a 6-1 record, and looking to continue flying high against the Jets.

Well, this was a big afternoon for the New York Jets.  Geno Smith wasn’t “great”, but he was good enough.  Chris Ivory ran for 139 yards and one touchdown on just 18 carries, showing his former team what they lost when they traded him away.

How did Geno do?  He didn’t turn the ball over once, via interception or fumble.  This was a big step up for Geno, and he kept his team in a position to win.  He didn’t throw a touchdown pass this week, but he did run for one towards the end of the second quarter that ended up being the difference in the game.  All told, Geno was 8-19 for 115 yards, ran the ball six times for 18 yards and the touchdown on the ground.

WEEK ELEVEN: AT BUFFALO:

The Jets came out of the bye week at 5-4, feeling pretty good about themselves.  They got through the “roughest” part of their schedule, and had set themselves up nicely to make a surprising run at the playoffs.  and they were facing a 3-7 Bills team that they had already beaten this season.  It should be a walk in the park, right?

Well, that’s why they play the games.

This one was a low point for Geno Smith and the Jets, as they fell behind 20-0 in the first half, and lost the game going away, 37-14.  This was also the first time Geno Smith was benched in favor of Matt Simms, handing over the reigns in the fourth quarter.  This was another week that the Jets came out flat, especially on offense.  We won’t dwell on this one, it wasn’t pretty.

Prior to being removed, Geno Smith was 8-23 for 103 yards and three interceptions.