New York Jets Mid-Season Report: The Offense

Oct 26, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback

Geno Smith

(7) throws the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

With eight weeks gone by and eight to go, it’s time to look back at the first half of the season for the New York Jets. We will break down the “Mid-Season” report into three parts, the offense, the defense, and special teams. Let’s get started with the offense, looking at everyone’s favorite position, the quarterback.

It’s a mess. There is really no other way to describe the Jets quarterback situation. Geno Smith showed flashes, most recently the New England Patriots game, which was one of his best ever. But, the last straw was last week against the Bills, when he threw three interceptions out of eight passes, the interceptions coming on consecutive drives.

Michael Vick came into the game on Sunday and did light a bit of a fire under the team. But he ultimately turned the ball over three times as well, and only completed 50% of his passes (18-36). He did lead the Jets with 69 yards rushing on Sunday. But the situation is in no way, shape, or form, settled. Geno Smith is on pace for 14 touchdowns vs 20 interceptions. We may or may not see him again, and we will see how it goes in the second half for Michael Vick.

Oct 26, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets running back

Chris Ivory

(33) scores a touchdown during the second quarter against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The Jets have been behind so much it has been hard to get the running game going at times. But, when it has gotten going, it has been quite good. The Jets are fourth in the league in rushing offense with 140 yards per game. Their 4.7 yards per carry average is good for fifth in the NFL. The problem is, it actually takes being ahead in a football game to see the running game with any regularity.

Chris Ivory continues to run like he is mad at the grass, with 475 yards, five touchdowns, and a 4.7 yards per carry average. Chris Johnson, however, is not the back that the Jets hoped he would be, only averaging four yards per carry. After some play during garbage time last week, Bilal Powell is the Jets leader in yards per carry with 4.9.

Oct 16, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New York Jets tight end

Jace Amaro

(88) reaches for a pass against New England Patriots strong safety

Patrick Chung

(23) during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

One of the Jets’ brightest spots of the season has been Jace Amaro, who leads rookie tight ends in receptions (32), and yards (285). He has dropped passes, granted, but Amaro has gotten better and better every week. Eric Decker leads the Jets in receiving yards with 363. He is only on a pace for 726 yards, but for a Jets team that is near the bottom of the league in passing, 726 yards is not a bad number at all.

Jeremy Kerley has been his consistent self, and has earned the contract extension that he received. If only the Jets had a stable quarterback situation, this group of wide receivers might look just a bit better.

You all know what I say about the offensive line. With it, goes your offense. The Jets have been no different. When the Jets have been able to run the ball, and the offensive line is playing well, the offense has looked good. When they haven’t been able to run the ball and the line looks poor, the offense looks bad, very bad.