Week 14 Jets Report Card

December 9, 2012; Jacksonville, FL, USA; New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) scrambles with the ball during the first half of the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports

The grades are in from yesterday’s 17-10 win over the Jaguars, so let’s get right to them:

QUARTERBACK:C+ The quarterback gets an average grade because he was just that, average. He didn’t do anything to kill the Jets, which is a nice start, but he wasn’t a major factor in the game either. He finished the day 12-19 through the air for 111 yards, no TDs or INTs. He did fumble the ball away once, adding to his turnover troubles. He made a couple of huge throws, including a late 37 yard hookup to Jeff Cumberland. He just wasn’t enough of a factor to garner a higher grade.

RUNNING BACKS:B+ The running game wore the Jaguars down yesterday. It wasn’t looking great in the first half, but to the Jets credit, they stayed with it. They didn’t have a vast change of plans and start throwing the football all over the field the way Schotty might have. Instead, they stayed with the philosophy, and it paid off, as the Jets started breaking off big chunks of yardage in the second half. Shonn Greene had 77 yards and a TD, Bilal Powell added 78 and a TD. The Jets controlled the game on the ground. Excellent job.

WIDE RECEIVERS AND TIGHT ENDS:C+ As with Sanchez, this group didn’t play particularly badly, they just weren’t asked to do very much, leaving the game primarily to the guys on the ground. They were without Dustin Keller and Clyde Gates, and Stephen Hill left the game early with a knee injury. Guys like Chaz Schilens stepped up, as well as Jeff Cumberland with a huge 37 yard reception late. They too, were just not asked to do enough to generate a higher grade than a C+.

OFFENSIVE LINE:B The fattys up front did a nice job in the running attack. They pounded and pounded, and it finally broke loose in the second half, as these guys were opening up huge holes for the backs. For the game, the Jets averaged 4 yards per carry on the ground, and credit goes to the offensive line. It only comes back to a “B” because of 3 sacks being allowed. Otherwise, nice job out of the offensive line.

Turn the page for defense and special teams.

December 9, 2012; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars fullback Montell Owens (24) is stopped by New York Jets cornerback Kyle Wilson (20) and defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (96) during the first half of the game at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports

DEFENSIVE LINE:B-

Muhammad Wilkerson is a beast. There is nothing else that needs to be said. He added another quarterback sack yesterday, along with 3 tackles and 3 QB hits. He is very quietly becoming a top defensive lineman in this league. To get the amount of pressure that he gets from the 3 technique is something that you don’t see too often. Henne had pressure in his face all day long. Rookie Quinton Coples added a sack as well. The grade isn’t an “A” because of the success that Jacksonville had on the ground. And the fact that the defense let the game get close.

LINEBACKERS:B

The linebackers got the pressure on yesterday as well, with David Harris adding a sack to go along with 8 tackles, 6 of them solo. The first turnover of the game was caused and completed by linebackers, Garrett McIntyre and Bart Scott. The linebackers were moving, and were active all over the field today. These guys also are only kept to a “B” because they couldn’t close out the game, instead letting it get to 17-10.

DEFENSIVE BACKS:B-

These guys played well, but their grade is not as high because Henne did find success early in the game. The Jaguars’ receivers were finding holes in the Jets’ zone, and guys were open. The Jags actually had two guys with 5 or more catches on the day, so the day wasn’t perfect. But, they ultimately performed well, never giving up the big play. The Jets’ defensive backs played a bit of “bend not break” style, and it worked out in the end. Ellis Lankster also added an INT late. This grade might have been a B or a B+ if they had closed the game better.

SPECIAL TEAMS:C+

This group didn’t do anything spectacular, but NO “F” TODAY! They finally didn’t screw anything up. It’s about time, isn’t it? No fumbles, and no blocked kicks, although the Jaguars did get close a couple of times. But they did well enough. Finally.