NY Jets: This could be the end for Gang Green

By Matthew Ordazzo | Nov 2, 2015

This could be the start of the end for the NY Jets as Oakland handed the Jets their worst defeat of the season

To say the Oakland Raiders laid the smack down on the NY Jets on Sunday is a complete understatement. The Raiders wiped the turf with the Jets’ defense in route to their 34-20 victory. What could have gone wrong for Gotham absolutely went wrong.

The Jets entered the black hole with an already weaker offensive line with center Nick Mangold being ruled inactive. Despite a late surge during the fourth quarter to try to close the gap, the Jets’ offense and defense seemed to have thrown in the towel once Ryan Fitzpatrick left the game in the first quarter.

Fitzpatrick tore ligaments in his left thumb and was ruled as doubtful to return, Geno Smith took over at the helm in an attempt to possibly win his starting job back. Well, a new and improved Smith was not what the world witnessed, what everyone saw was the 2014 version that led the Jets to their worst regular season record since the days of Rich Kotite being the skipper for New York.

The Jets dropped to 4-3 and also dropped their second game in a row. While there are many concerns as to whether this is the start of the end for Gotham, the remainder of their schedule is in their favor. This is the NFL, injuries will happen and teams will endure tough losses such as this one. This doesn’t mean this is the end for the Jets, yes, major key players were injured by a hard-hitting Raiders’ defense, but like I said, every team faces obstacles such as the Jets have.

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One positive contribution, and yes I said positive, was Kenbrell Thompkins. Thompkins first career game as a Jet came this Sunday as he faced the Raiders, a team that cut him prior to being signed by the Jets.

Thompkins recorded six receptions for 41 yards during the Jets 34-20 loss. Nothing jaw-dropping, but the young buck refused to admit defeat as he tried to prove the Raiders made a mistake by cutting ties with him.

Now, the bad. Besides Fitzpatrick’s injury, Smith entered the game as it was his 31st game of his young three-year career and he recorded his 35th career interception. The Raiders also managed over 250 total yards versus the Jets mere 118 after the first half. Brandon Marshall also left the game for a short period of time with an apparent ankle injury.

Oakland had a field day Sunday afternoon, quarterback Derek Carr had arguably one of his best performances recording over 300 passing yards with four touchdowns. The Jets’ defense seemed to have forgotten how to tackle as Antonio Cromartie, Marcus Williams and Demario Davis all missed tackles on wide out Michael Crabtree as he hauled in a 36-yard touchdown reception.

Nov 1, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) prepares to throw a pass against the New York Jets in the fourth quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Jets 34-20. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

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Those same players were later burned on a 49-yard reception by Andre Holmes that led Oakland to a 21-3 lead over the Jets in the first half. The second half wasn’t anything better, the Jets’ defense continued to get torched by the Raiders’ offense, Smith attempted a valiant comeback by throwing two touchdowns to wide out Eric Decker and tight end Kellen Davis.

Smith would later leave the game for a few snaps with an apparent rib injury but later returned in time for the Jets to ultimately admit defeat on a final failed fourth down conversion.

Ultimately, the Jets have a lot of discuss this week. With the return for both Fitzpatrick and Smith being unknown, Gotham has already begun shopping around the league for free agent quarterbacks. Matt Flynn could be a possibility, so can Ryan Mallet.

Hopefully, Fitzpatrick will be able to compete next week, an MRI is scheduled for his thumb. Until then, keep your heads up Jets Nation, we’ve been through much worse, this is not the end of the season for us.

The Jets will look to redeem their loss with a victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars this upcoming Sunday. Otherwise, this could be the beginning of the end for their hopes to make the NFL Playoffs or even have a bounce back season due to everything catching up to them from injuries and flat out inconsistency.