New York Jets: Week Eight Report Card

All right, let’s get to the Jets report card grades from yesterday’s seventh loss of the season at the hands of the Buffalo Bills:

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

(7) stands beside quarterback

(1) after being benched in the first half against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

QUARTERBACKS: D It’s not hard to come to this grade. The Jets quarterback play was lousy yesterday, and gave the team very little of a chance to win the game.

We know how bad Geno Smith was. Three consecutive interceptions took Geno to the bench and a 0.0 passer rating, the worst in Jets history. Michael Vick was a little bit better, going 18-36 for 153 yards, adding 69 yards on the ground. He did lead the Jets on two drives that kept them in the game. But, the two of them accounted for six turnovers. That is unacceptable. The quarterbacks hurt the Jets, they didn’t help them. Enough said.

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

(33) carries the ball to score a touchdown in front of Buffalo Bills outside linebacker

(53) during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

RUNNING BACKS: C Nothing special, but nothing terrible out of the Jets running backs yesterday. Chris Ivory put up two touchdowns, keeping the Jets in the game. Bilal Powell added 28 yards and one touchdown on just four carries.

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

(16) carries the ball against the Buffalo Bills in the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

WIDE RECEIVERS AND TIGHT ENDS: C See the previous page. These guys weren’t special, but weren’t bad either. There were a couple of drops, including an uncharacteristic one from Jeremy Kerley. But Jace Amaro caught five passes out of five targets, which is a great sign, as Amaro has had his share of drops this season. Eric Decker also had a decent game, considering the quarterback play, with seven catches for 40 yards.

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Percy Harvin debuted with three catches for 22 yards. But, as usual, the group had its share of difficulty getting separation, especially when Michael Vick was in there.

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: D The Jets did average over five yards per carry on the ground, but that was a very deceiving number. Most of that went to Michael Vick (eight carries, 69 yards). Other than for Bilal Powell late, the holes really weren’t there for the running backs. They also gave up four sacks and had Geno Smith/Michael Vick running for their lives. Not a good day for the Jets offensive line.

Sep 28, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets defensive end

(96) reacts after the Detroit Lions scored a touchdown at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

DEFENSIVE LINE: C+ The Bills rushed for just a little over two yards per carry, so it wasn’t all bad for these guys. Kyle Orton was sacked four times, credit the Jets defensive line with two. This will always be a group that can play, and they will only get better. But, when it counted, they couldn’t get pressure on Orton. All of his big throws were made when he had all day to throw. The Jets couldn’t get to Orton consistenly enough to change the game.

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

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

LINEBACKERS: C See the previous page, the same pretty much goes for the linebackers. There was some pass rush, and they kept the running game down. But the consistency wasn’t there, and the Bills eventually pulled away.

Oct 26, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver

(10) catches the ball to score a touchdown as New York Jets cornerback

(39) defends in the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

DEFENSIVE BACKS: F There isn’t a lot to say about this group. The Jets need help in this area. Antonio Allen has talent, but he looks lost. These guys, as Bart Scott once said, “Can’t stop a nose bleed”. Another tough day for a beleaguered group of Jets.

Oct 16, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New York Jets kicker

(2) reacts after missing a field goal at the end of the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. The New England Patriots defeated the New York Jets 27-25. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

SPECIAL TEAMS: B- To me, this was the best group on the field, despite the fact that Ryan Quigley was awful. Nick Folk helped keep the Jets in the game with a long field goal to end the first half. Percy Harvin averaged 24 yards per kickoff return, adding a little bit of electricity to the position.