New York Jets: Week 15 Report Card

Let’s get right to the report card grades from yesterday’s Jets win over the Titans, 16-11.

QUARTERBACK: B+ For the game, Geno Smith went 16-28 for 179 yards and one touchdown. Most importantly, Geno Smith didn’t throw a single interception, or turn the ball over in any way. When he needed to throw it away, he did. Geno Smith kept the Jets in a position to win by taking care of the football. That is what the quarterback’s job is, folks. The game really isn’t that hard. Don’t turn the ball over, you win.

The Jets didn’t turn it over, and that starts with the quarterback.

RUNNING BACKS: C- Part of the problem was that the Jets didn’t run the ball as much as they should have. The Titans rush defense is terrible, but the Jets didn’t pound the ball down their throats. The Jets actually threw it more than they ran it, which was a strange game plan.

Overall, the Jets ran the ball for under four yards per carry. Chris Johnson did run it ten times for 55 yards, but if you take out the 37 yard scamper, his numbers would have been a lot worse. Without that run, the Jets would have not have even run for three yards per carry.

WIDE RECEIVERS AND TIGHT ENDS: C Eric Decker did post 100 yards for the first time as a member of the New York Jets. However, he did drop a wide open pass. Nobody else posted more than two catches. We only heard the name of Jace Amaro, as he returned to the lineup, once. Geno Smith was efficient, but nobody did much, other than Decker, down the field for the Jets.

Dec 14, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; New York Jets center

(74) leaves the field after his team defeated the Tennessee Titans 16-11 during the second half at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

OFFENSIVE LINE: C- In fact, the offensive line did not play well for the Jets yesterday. Take out the 37 yard run by Chris Johnson, and the Jets ran for 2.75 yards per carry yesterday. They allowed three sacks on Geno Smith. The line actually looked pretty bad.

More from Jets News

• NY Jets should target TE Hunter Henry in free agency
• NY Jets: Why the team should target cornerback Shaquill Griffin
• NY Jets reportedly non-tendering linebacker Harvey Langi
• NY Jets: Why the team should not cut Jamison Crowder
• NY Jets should try to sign Kenny Golladay in free agency

The only reason the Jets offensive line did not receive a “D” or lower is because of how they stood up for their quarterback. when Geno Smith got punched in the face, Nick Mangold led the boys up front in defense of their quarterback. It’s good to see the guys sticking up for Geno Smith that way.

Nov 24, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback

(18) throws a pass as New York Jets outside linebacker

(98) reaches to block it during the second half at Ford Field. Bills beat the Jets 38-3. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

DEFENSIVE LINE: B- When a unit only gives up 11 points, it is very hard to give any of them a terrible grade. But, the defensive line wasn’t great. Quinton Coples was the only Jets defender to get back for a sack. Quinton added two tackles for a loss. But, nobody else made a real impact on the game. Overall, only allowing 3.2 yards per carry on the ground is a good game, so that keeps the grade above a “C”. But, nobody, other than Coples, played a game of note.

Nov 2, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end

(87) runs the ball as New York Jets inside linebacker

(52) defends during the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 24-10. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

LINEBACKERS: C+ Again, I don’t think I can give a very low grade anywhere on a defense that only gave up 11 points. But, that being said, David Harris, you have to make the interception when the ball is right in your hands my friend. It was the picture of the Jets season in a nutshell, a missed opportunity. But the play has to be made. Other than that missed opportunity, we didn’t hear really anything from the linebackers. Nothing bad, but nothing great either.

Dec 14, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans running back

(22) rushes against New York Jets cornerback

(22) during the first half at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

DEFENSIVE BACKS: C- The lowest grade goes to these guys, and would probably have been lower if the Jets had lost. They had all kinds of trouble with both Nate Washington and Delanie Walker. Washington caught six passes for 102 yards and Walker caught four passes for 93 yards. The Jets could not come up with an answer for them, and were lucky that it did not come back to bite them in the end.

Dec 14, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; New York Jets wide receiver

(16) carries the ball against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

SPECIAL TEAMS: B Other than one missed field goal, the special teams looked just fine. Nick Folk did hit a field goal from 51 yards out. Percy Harvin stepped up and, despite being banged up, came up with a strong 33 yard kickoff return.