Turnovers continue to define the Jets in 2016
By Danielle McCartan
The New York Jets have major problems across their entire team. None more alarming than their points off of turnover ratio, which ranks dead last in the NFL.
At this point in time, the New York Jets are ranked 32nd in the NFL in points-off turnover-ratio. They are ranked last in the league. A defining characteristic in which over the past four games, the Jets have coughed up 37 points off turnovers while scoring only a measly 3.
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The principle turnover machine is quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. After throwing six interceptions against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 3, he completed three passes to the Seattle Seahawks’ defense in Week 4. Many Jets fans are ready to call quarterback Geno Smith, to save the season, but wide receiver Brandon Marshall is not.
He adamantly told reporters, via the Media Relations Department of the Jets: “I am going down in the boat with Ryan Fitzpatrick. Okay? You got it? So can you not ask me any more questions about that? I am going down in the boat with #14.”
When one looks at the final box score, one can conclude that the Seahawks and the Jets played somewhat equally. On paper, in many categories, including those listed below, it looks like it was a close game:
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- First downs: Seahawks 21, Jets 20
- Total net yards: Seahawks 354, Jets 305
- Third down efficiency: Seahawks 30%, Jets 46%
- Penalties: Seahawks 7 for 71 yds, Jets 7 for 60 yds
- Time of possession: Seahawks 30:45, Jets 29:15
The glaring differential is in the turnover category: Seahawks 0, Jets 3. Against the Seahawks, they capitalized on two Fitzpatrick interceptions to the tune of 10 points.
The final score of the game was 27-17. If those ten turnover points were kept off the scoreboard, it could have lessened the blow of another miserable loss.
Charone Peake‘s 42-yard fumble-recovery touchdown would have tied the score at 17. Most likely, it would have forced the game into overtime and, at that point, anything could have happened.
In the post-game press conference via the Media Relations Department, head coach Todd Bowles remarked: “We beat ourselves two weeks in a row”. The Pittsburgh Steelers are tied for 16th place in the NFL with four total takeaways to the Jets’ two. If there is any defense against whom for the Jets’ offense to rally, it will be the Steelers.
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General Bowles has a message for Jets Nation, again, courtesy of the Media Relations Department: “sometimes you need to fight more than one battle to win a war. We fought two battles two weeks in a row and we lost, but the season is not over. We’re 1-3, but we have to grind. We have to get better and we’re going to do that next week. We’re going to get better”.