New York Jets: Week 13 Report Card

Dec 1, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback

(7) drops back to pass against the Miami Dolphins during the third quarter of a game at MetLife Stadium. The Dolphins defeated the Jets 16-13. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Jets fell to the Miami Dolphins last night by the score of 16-13, dropping their record to 2-10. Let’s get right to the report card grades:

QUARTERBACK: I That “I” stands for “Incomplete”, for anyone that didn’t realize it. Why does Geno Smith receive that grade? Because the Jets coaching staff allowed him to do absolutely nothing. He threw the ball eight times prior to the final drive. The rest of the game, he was a handoff machine.

How can he get a grade based on that? It’s not his fault, there just isn’t enough there to give him a grade.

Dec 1, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets running back

(33) runs the ball during the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

RUNNING BACKS: A By far, the biggest bright spot for the Jets was the running game. With Chris Johnson leading the way with 105 yards, the Jets ran the ball for 277 yards. They were over 200 in the first half. The Jets ran the ball early, and we all know they ran it often. Until the Dolphins defense adjusted, they were quite successful running it.

Dec 1, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver

(87) can not hold onto a catch during the first quarter against Miami Dolphins defensive back

(41) at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

WIDE RECEIVERS AND TIGHT ENDS: D The receivers didn’t have much of a chance to get involved last night, but when they did, they weren’t always so helpful to their embattled quarterback. Eric Decker dropped two passes that he should have caught. The Jets paid him a lot of money to Decker to catch the football, he needs to do that. When they had the ball in their hands, the Jets receivers didn’t make a play after the catch, for example. Not a banner night.

Oct 5, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; New York Jets center

(74) during the second quarter on the bench against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

OFFENSIVE LINE: C The Jets ran the ball for over five yards per carry, and the offensive line has to get a lot of credit for that. I really don’t mark them down for problems in the run game in the second half, as they don’t call the plays, they just execute them. It’s not the offensive line’s fault that the Jets coaches continued to call run plays even when the entire Dolphins defense was in the box.

The line gets the lower grade because the stats don’t tell the story. Geno Smith was sacked only twice, but he was hurried and hit quite often. In his limited opportunities to throw, the Jets signal caller never had the chance to get comfortable in the pocket, thanks to the Dolphins pass rush.

Dec 1, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback

(17) is sacked by New York Jets defensive end

(93) at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

DEFENSIVE LINE: C The Jets defensive line had its moments, including the first career sack for Kenrick Ellis. However, they definitely missed Muhammad Wilkerson big time. The Dolphins didn’t run it much, but they did run it for over four yards per carry. But worse, when Ryan Tannehill needed to complete passes, the Jets pass rush was nowhere to be found, and that was a problem. The line has to get to the quarterback to help the secondary, and they just don’t.

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It would have been nice to hear Quinton Coples‘ name called last night, wouldn’t it?

Dec 1, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) scrambles during the second half as New York Jets outside linebacker

(97) chases him at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

LINEBACKERS: C+ It’s hard to go terribly crazy when the Jets defense allows only 16 points. An NFL offense should be able to score 20 points and win a game like that. However, what we have is the Jets offense, not an NFL offense. The linebackers didn’t make a play when they needed one. Calvin Pace dropping the automatic interception as the picture of the Jets season in a nutshell. David Harris played well, bringing the grade up to the “C+”.

Nov 24, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Buffalo Bills running back

(26) scores a touchdown as New York Jets defensive back

(22) pursues during the second half at Ford Field. Bills beat the Jets 38-3. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

DEFENSIVE BACKS: C The Jets secondary wasn’t particularly awful in the fact that they didn’t allow a play over their heads. That was in part, however, on the fact that the Dolphins never really took a shot down the field. Mike Wallace has had some big ones against the Jets in the past, to hold him to 69 yards and no touchdowns is an accomplishment. However, they couldn’t get a stop when they needed one late, and that too is the story of the Jets season.

Dec 1, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets kicker

(2) reacts after missing a field goal against the Miami Dolphins during the fourth quarter of a game at MetLife Stadium. The Dolphins defeated the Jets 16-13. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

SPECIAL TEAMS: F This was the worst performance by the Jets special teams that I can remember in quite some time. Ryan Quigley had yet another punt blocked. Nick Folk missed a hard to believe two field goals. When the “Folk Hero” has a bad night, you know that it is a bad night for the Jets.