New York Jets: Week 16 Report Card

Dec 21, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback

Geno Smith

(7) drops back to pass against the New England Patriots during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Let’s get right to the report card grades from yesterday’s Jets game. The Jets lost to the Patriots by the score of 17-16. Let’s go…

QUARTERBACK: C+ Don’t get me wrong, the embattled Jets signal-caller played better yesterday. He went 17-27 for 210 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Geno was much better. But, the interception, along with the sack deep in Patriots territory, were deadly. As we talked about earlier in the Monday Morning Quarterback, these two plays killed the Jets.

Combine that with the Jets inefficiency in the red zone, and the grade comes down to a “C”.

Dec 21, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets running back

Chris Ivory

(33) runs against the New England Patriots during the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

RUNNING BACKS: C- The Jets running game never got much going. Although they totaled 116 net yards, if you take out each running back’s longest run, two 16 yard runs and a 14 yard run, the total comes down to 70 yards. Chris Ivory topped the group with 11 rushes for 53 yards, just under five yards per carry. The Jets just didn’t sustain it.

Dec 21, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets tight end

Jeff Cumberland

(85) runs with the ball against the New England Patriots during the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

WIDE RECEIVERS AND TIGHT ENDS: B Other than a Jace Amaro drop, the Jets receivers played a pretty good game yesterday afternoon. The surprising performance of the day was from Jeff Cumberland, with three receptions for 43 yards and a 20 yard touchdown reception. Jeremy Kerley led the team with three catches for 54 yards.

Dec 21, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets center

Nick Mangold

(74) wears an NYPD cap during the coin toss before a game against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

OFFENSIVE LINE: C The Jets offensive line put in an average performance yesterday. It was rough to see Nick Mangold go, but the respect he was shown by both teams is a testament to the type of player and person that he is. It’s not often an opponent, especially THAT opponent, shows that type of respect.

But as far as the play was concerned, eh! The running game averaged 3.6 yards per carry, and Geno Smith was sacked twice. It wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t great either.

Dec 21, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New England Patriots quarterback

Tom Brady

(12) is sacked by New York Jets defensive end

Sheldon Richardson

(91) in the first half during the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

DEFENSIVE LINE: B+ The Jets defense was terrific yesterday, for the most part. They only allowed 231 yards of offense, 85 of those on the ground. Tom Brady was running for his life for a good portion of the game. The Jets just couldn’t get him off of the field late.

Dec 21, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) is sacked by New York Jets corner back

Antonio Allen

(39) and New York Jets linebacker

Demario Davis

(56) during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

LINEBACKERS: A- The Jets linebackers reach the level of an “A” for a couple of reasons. The first was their influence in the pass rush. David Harris accounted for 1/2 sack, Demario Davis accounted for 1/2 sack, and Calvin Pace put up a full sack. David Harris led the way for the Jets with 10 tackles, six solo. Demario Davis added nine tackles, five solo.

The second reason is the performance of Rob Gronkowski. Although he did score a touchdown, he only posted 31 receiving yards, which obviously is a low number for him. The linebackers deserve a portion of the credit for that.

Dec 21, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) runs against New York Jets cornerback

Marcus Williams

(22) in the second half during the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

DEFENSIVE BACKS: B As I said, the Jets have something in Marcus Williams. He put up an excellent performance for the Jets, and played a part in holding Rob Gronkowski to under 35 receiving yards.

The grade comes down a bit because Danny Amendola and Brandon LaFell gave the Jets fits, with 63 and 64 yards respectively.

Dec 7, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Jets kicker

Nick Folk

(2) kicks a 44 yard field goal to tie the game with the Minnesota Vikings as kicker

Ryan Quigley

(4) holds the ball in the fourth quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 30-24. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

SPECIAL TEAMS: C+ Nick Folk had a rare miss, when Vince Wilfork was able to get through for the block. I didn’t think Nick would have made it anyway, as he wasn’t confident pre-play. During the break, he was waving off the Jets coaching staff, indicating that he didn’t feel he could make the kick from that distance.

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