The complete meltdown of the Jets in Kansas City
By Bobby Kirschenbaum
The New York Jets suffered a complete meltdown in Week 3 action against the Kansas City Chiefs that is beyond comprehension.
Although the New York Jets arrived on time in Kansas City yesterday, it seemed as if they left their mojo in New York. Sunday’s team performance was an absolute disaster and throughout the game , there was simply no light at the end of the tunnel for the Jets. From the beginning of the game to the closing minutes, it was one of the worst games they have played in years.
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The Jets lost to the Chiefs 24-3 on the road, with the final score not really being indicative of how poorly the entire team played. Although last week the Jets scored 37 points in a win over the Buffalo Bills, this team looked like night and day in between games.
Against the Bills, starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick lead the way by throwing for 374 yards and a touchdown while winning AFC Offensive player of the Week. This past week, however, was a completely different story.
On Sunday, Fitzpatrick threw a career-high six interceptions, a Jets’ franchise high, with two of them thrown in the end zone of the second half. With one turnover after another, it became obvious that despite the score being only 24-3, there was no evidence that a comeback would be possible.
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It was not only Fitzpatrick’s poor performance but rather a team that showed no heart nor any passion for the game.
Rookie kick returner and wide receiver, Jalin Marshall, for example, fumbled a kickoff which was returned for a touchdown early on in the game.
It gave the Chiefs a momentum spark en route to victory.
That’s back-to-back games for Marshall with fumbles on special teams, a problem Todd Bowles seemed to address when he allowed Quincy Enunwa to take a return in his place.
Additionally, the wide receiver trio of Marshall, Decker and Enunwa also was non-existent in this contest.
Brandon Marshall, playing on a gimpy knee after a tackle during the Bills game in Week 2, limped throughout. Marshall was invisible after catching two passes on the opening drive. It also appeared that Eric Decker was nowhere to be found on the field, being held without a catch in the first half.
Enunwa had one reception for nine yards before halftime and was quiet in the second half as well. Running back Matt Forte was unable to carry the load for this horrendous offense and Bilal Powell contributed to the Jets’ woes with a fumble of his own.
It was not only a poor offensive performance, but the defense was no better. It appeared as if Kansas City’s offense was on the field the entire game. The Jets had two sacks but also allowed quarterback Alex Smith to toy with them throughout the game.
Sep 25, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) throws a pass against the New York Jets in the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. Chiefs won 24-3. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
It seemed like every single third down conversion was completed for a first down, and every screen pass resulted in a big gain. Tight end Travis Kelce could not be contained and running back Spencer Ware had several large gains. The short game seemed to create havoc for the Jets’ secondary.
The Jets must put this game behind them quickly, or the season will be lost.
Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick may not sleep well this week after one of the worst performances of his career, but he needs to keep his head high and show why he is the No. 1 quarterback for the Jets. It’s time to prepare for the Seattle Seahawks as the schedule doesn’t get any easier, but the team has to continue to keep pushing forward.
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There really is only one word to describe the game, and that is exactly how Marshall described it post-game via the Media Relations Department of the Jets: “Disgusting”. Hopefully, this complete meltdown in Kansas City gives the entire team a wake up call since another performance like this will end the season faster than a New York minute.