Monday Morning Quarterback: The 2014 New York Jets

Normally, we take the time to review the Jets game from the week that past. Since there was no game yesterday as the Jets were on their annual bye week, the “Monday Morning Quarterback is going to take a different look. This morning, we are going to look at the team to date, with ten games played so far.

The best way to describe the Jets so far would be to call them an “enigma”. Here is the definition to give you a frame of reference:

a puzzling or inexplicable occurrence or situation.

If you give this season some thought, this would be the EXACT way to describe our New York Jets. Obviously, we cannot describe the team as “good”. No 2-8 team can be described that way. There are no moral victories in the NFL, and as coach Parcells says, “You are what your record says you are.” The Jets are not a great team, or even a good team right now. They are a 2-8 team, playing out the string.

But, the team has had its moments. Even the Jets offense has show signs of actually being competent. There have been two different times that the Jets offense has posted over 400 yards. Yes, once was against the Oakland Raiders that have actually been worse than we have. The top performance, however, was against New England. We actually posted 423 yards against New England, in what was maybe their best performance all year, and before Percy Harvin was acquired. Explain that.

Coming out of the Raiders game, the Jets scored on their first three possessions against the Green Bay game. Remember that? Before the season took its turn down the bowl, the Jets looked like they could score, at will, on anyone. They went down the field on Green Bay at the end to tie it, even though it was negated by the Sheldon Richardson timeout snafu.

They have also produced their fair share of “ducks” as well. They put up a wonderful goose egg against the Chargers. Nobody can forget that series of interceptions against the Buffalo Bills. The Jets offense had some difficulty keeping the football. Chris Ivory and company have looked like world beaters on the ground at times, yet at other times have looked pathetic.

The biggest problem, not looking at a specific position, has been the Jets inability to finish drives. They have been able to move the ball, for the most part, between the twenties. But whether it has been giving up turnovers, exchanging field goals for touchdowns, or not scoring at all, the Jets can’t finish drives. It has been the most preemptive factor in keeping the Jets from winning games in 2014. But they have shown potential, as Mike Nash said earlier this week, they are not that far off.

Sep 14, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; New York Jets defensive end

Muhammad Wilkerson

(96) fights with Green Bay Packers offensive tackle

David Bakhtiari

(69) and defensive tackle

Damon Harrison

(94) tries to get between them in the third quarter at Lambeau Field. Wilkerson was ejected from the game. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

The Jets defense has to come under great scrutiny as well. Look at the run defense for a minute. The Jets have spent the season ranked in the top ten in the league against the run. The stat comes with good reason, holding five different teams, including the Patriots and Steelers, to under 70 yards rushing. The Jets have a good core on defense, that in Rex Ryan’s mold, can stop the run.

But that hasn’t even been consistent. The Chargers ran the ball all over the Jets for almost 200 yards. When does THAT happen against a Rex Ryan team? Never. The Broncos ran for 138 yards, and that isn’t even their strong suit. The Jets have not been able to even stop the run on a consistent basis.

We don’t have to talk about the Jets pass defense. It stinks. It was bad in 2013, and it stinks now. The Jets defensive backs, due to injuries and to below level talent, they have not been able to stop anybody very often. Everyone has been able to throw the ball all over the field.