New York Jets: Plenty of blame to go around

When it comes to the New York Jets and their first loss of the season, it’s not hard to find all the blame that should hit the team. A quick glance around Twitter, a brief look at the early headlines, or a quick read of the comments sections around the web and we quickly learn Jet fans are spreading the blame around. The Jets 24 -17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles was a game that shocked more than a few Jet fans.

The Jets who entered the game 2-0, were favored to win this contest, and the home crowd smelled blood with a struggling Eagles team coming to town. The crowd turned out for the “White Out” and did their part, but the players failed to execute.

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Granted, the Jets were without Chris Ivory, Eric Decker and Chris Owusu on offense, but this loss can’t be put on that alone. The Jets played poorly on Sunday, and there was plenty of blame to go around.

Brandon Marshall drew double coverage all day with the absence of Decker, but still managed ten receptions for 108 yards and a touchdown. He also pulled off his self described “worst play in NFL history.” Being tackled, Marshall either attempted to lateral the ball, or fumble the ball backwards at the very least.

Now, I’m not blaming Marshall for the loss, but this guy is in his tenth season, he knows better. The turnover gave the Eagles a touchdown on the ensuing drive. It was a bone head move, Marshall needs to clean it up.

Ryan Fitzpatrick had a dismal day for the Jets. Finishing 35/58 for 283 yards and a touchdown doesn’t appear bad on the surface, but factor in the three interceptions and it wasn’t pretty. Fitzpatrick couldn’t string anything together to get the Jets’ offense going and he missed wide open receivers on several occasions.

As a result, calls have already begun in some circles of Jet fans for a return to Geno Smith. I don’t think the Jets can bench Fitzpatrick over one poor game, but ultimately that decision will come down to the Jets’ coaching staff. It’s one game, let’s not start a quarterback controversy! All the blame for this loss can’t be put on the quarterback, there is plenty to go around.

The offensive line deserves its fair share of the blame as well. While they only allowed one sack of Fitzpatrick, they struggled in pass protection against the Eagles’ defensive line. Fitzpatrick was hit five times and nearly sacked on a number of occasions. The absence of Chris Ivory in the running game could easily explain the Jets’ running game sputtering to only 47 yards on 16 carries, but it’s wasn’t that simple.

The Jets’ offensive line lacked the explosiveness off the line that we’ve seen the past two weeks. The holes weren’t there for Bilal Powell or Zac Stacy. The offensive line is a work in progress I understand, a bunch of new faces playing together for the first time, but it needs to get better than what it was on Sunday. If the injury is serious to right guard Willie Colon, the Jets will need to rely on Brian Winters going ahead. Work needs to be done here, there is average talent on this line, but they need to develop as a unit going through the season.

Sep 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets running back Bilal Powell (29) is taken down by Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Vinny Curry (75) during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the New York Jets 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Steven Ryan-USA TODAY Sports

The Jets’ defensive front struggled as well in this game. Poor tackling at the point of attack in the run game, coupled with lack of pressure on Sam Bradford made it a long day for the big guys up front. The often quick pace of the Eagles’ offense, along with the Jets offensive turnovers kept the front off balance and winded at times.

To their credit, they fared much better in the second half, but by that time it was too late. They allowed the Jets to close the gap late in the game, but only managed one sack on the day. These guys didn’t bring the heat, and displayed some poor tackling techniques, they need to get better.

The Jets’ linebackers were exposed in coverage throughout the day. Chip Kelly’s offensive line gave Bradford a clean pocket to throw from and he absolutely took advantage of the linebacker corps. This linebackers corps is a group of hard hitting players and excellent tacklers, but their weakness is in coverage.

Running their wide receivers on intermediate to deep routes, the Eagles cleared out the the underneath of the Jets’ defense easily for their running backs to take advantage of mismatches with the linebackers corps. Had it not been for drops by Darren Sproles and Ryan Mathews along the sidelines, the Jets’ linebackers would have given up another two scores as a result of the poor coverage.

Sep 27, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Darren Sproles (43) returns a punt for a touchdown past New York Jets running back Bilal Powell (29) during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Jets have struggled covering running backs out of the backfield and tight ends for several years now, and the weakness was exposed again. The Jets will need to improve here dramatically, or this may become a recurring problem.

Sproles’ 89-yard punt return spoiled the Jets’ special teams day. While it is true that Sproles is always a threat in the return game, this type of return just can’t be allowed to happen. Sproles had a big day making all would be tacklers look foolish, but this was his biggest highlight. The Jets were just simply awful in tackling on the play.

Sproles is illusive undoubtedly, but the missed tackles on this play verged on embarrassing. Special teams have been fairly good for the Jets this season as I’m sure they’d like to play that one over. Hats off to Ryan Quigley who should make the highlight reel for his efforts to keep the Jets in this one by pinning the Eagles deep.

It may be easy to pin this game on Fitzpatrick, or on any of the above groups, but the simple fact is, as a team the Jets didn’t play well on Sunday. It’s one game, their is no need for fans to panic. Even in the loss, this team showed heart, they tried to rally a comeback in the second half, they never laid down. Todd Bowles and his coaching staff will undoubtedly be hard at work getting things cleaned up before the big game against the Miami Dolphins next week in London.

That’s how I saw this one. A tough loss after being 2-0, but there is a lot of football yet to be played. How did you see the game? Think I’m being too tough with my criticisms? We here at The Jet Press value your opinions and I enjoy discussing my views with readers. Please leave us a comment below and Let’s Talk Jet Football!!

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