Tuesday Morning Quarterback: New York Jets vs. Miami Dolphins

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

(21) runs through a big hole against the Miami Dolphins during the second quarter of a game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Isn’t it fun to watch our beloved New York Jets find a new way to lose? We have all been doing that for a long time now, and boy, did they do that last night. As they honored Wayne Chrebet last night, the Jets jumped out to a 10-0 lead, only to stall, in typical Jets fashion, and lose the game late by a score of 16-13. Let’s talk about it.

You cannot dislike the gameplan that the Jets opened with. The Jets felt that they could run the football on this team, and they committed to it big time. It worked. The Jets ran for over 200 yards in the first half. Chris Johnson gashed the Dolphins for 85 yards, along the way to his season-high of 105 yards on just 17 carries, averaging over six yards per carry.

Marty Mornhinweg got everyone involved in the running attack. Jeremy Kerley was involved with reverses. Percy Harvin was involved. Greg Salas took one into the endzone from 20 yards out on his only run of the game, hurting his hamstring on the play. The Jets offensive line was firing on all cylinders, and opening huge holes for Chris Ivory, Bilal Powell, and Chris Johnson.

They only threw the ball six times at that point, but that was overshadowed a bit by the way the Jets were running the football.

But then came the second half.

Nov 9, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan talks with offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. The Jets defeated the Steelers 20-13. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

This is where the coaching staff fell short. Instead of making adjustments, by adding in play-action passes, for example, the Jets stayed the course. They continued to run the football, despite the fact that the Dolphins were putting nine guys in the box. Earth to the coaching staff, if you run the ball on EVERY PLAY, eventually, your opponent is going to get the hint and stop it. Hello! Most coaches in the universe realize this, but the Jets coaching staff did not.

Geno Smith only recorded eight passing attempts before the final drive! Does that make ANY sense? It doesn’t to me. It certainly isn’t the way to win in the 2014 NFL. Heck, I don’t think you could have won that day in the 1980’s either, but at least the running game was prominent. Whether the coaches just felt they were going to win this way, or they didn’t trust Geno Smith, the Jets refused to pass the football until it was too late. Guess what? It cost them dearly.

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

(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

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After going up 10-0, the Jets offense could not finish drives. That has been a problem for most of the season, and we have blamed Geno a lot. This time we can’t do that. When the quarterback isn’t given a chance to play, we cannot blame him for not being able to come through in the clutch. This one was on the coaching staff.

Oh, there were missed opportunities aplenty, all over the field. Eric Decker has to catch the football when it hits his hands. So does Calvin Pace. Even Nick Folk had it rough, missing two field goals in by far his poorest performance as the Jets kicker. But, there is one place to put the bulk of the blame this week. That is Rex Ryan and company, for making no adjustments in the second half.