Jets lose punting battle in Week 10 against Los Angeles Rams

Week 10 was nothing short of upsetting, as the New York Jets scored a mere 6 points against the Los Angeles Rams. This was the third time this season that the Jets have scored less than 10 points.

With Week 10 finally in the books, New York Jets fans can look forward to the much-needed bye week. Coming into this game, the Jets announced that second-year quarterback Bryce Petty would get the start. Petty would be replacing injured Ryan Fitzpatrick; a move that many supporters have wanted for multiple weeks. This could’ve possibly given the Jets the momentum swing that they so desperately needed.

It wasn’t.

At first, Petty looked great. Backed up at their own 1-yard line, Petty and the Jets marched down the field to score a touchdown. Seeing this team create that type of drive was shocking, as well as scoring in the red zone. Petty’s elusiveness and ability to launch the deep ball showed. A connection with Robby Anderson for 52 yards set New York up at Los Angeles‘ 46.

This was followed by a couple dump passes here and there, until Matt Forte decided to tear up the Rams defense. He broke off a 28-yard rush to the Rams’ 5 yard-line. The Jets would cap off the drive with a hook-and-ladder play to Brandon Marshall, who pitched it to Bilal Powell for a touchdown.

That was pretty much as exciting as this game would get… ugh.

The Jets would miss the ensuing extra point, giving them a 6-3 advantage. Los Angeles was successful on field goal attempts in the 3rd and 4th quarters to win the game 9-6. Both teams combined for 15 punts; 8 for the Jets, 7 for the Rams. It was a battle of the kicker’s boots at MetLife Stadium.

Does this snooze-fest of a season have to go on? Unfortunately, yes.

Offensive coordinator Chan Gailey served up some exciting play calls on the lone touchdown drive, especially with the hook-and-ladder. Besides this, the play-calling was horrendous. For example, on their drive following the touchdown, the Jets faced a 3rd-and-10 from their own 38. Now, if you’re 3-6, and you have a quarterback who is on a high coming off his first career touchdown drive, I’d think you’d throw the ball. Not the Jets. Instead, they ran a draw play to Forte for 2 yards, leading to their second punt of the half. As you could imagine, boos from the frustrated crowd would arise.

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Defensively, Gang Green played spectacularly. I’m sure any other team in the NFL that gives up 9 points would win this game, but this is the Jets we are talking about. The defensive line was finally effective, tallying 3 sacks, 7 tackles for losses, and 8 quarterback hits. After a couple of big plays for Los Angeles, they found themselves at New York’s 1 yard-line. The defense would stand strong, only allowing a field goal.

It was the dreadful play of Darrelle Revis, though, that took the spotlight away from the Jets’ defense. Rams receiver Kenny Britt would light up Revis in the first half, catching 5 balls for 98 yards. In the second half, Britt would only have 2 catches for 11 yards. Regardless, Britt will also be getting his room keys to the Revis Island resort in the mail shortly.

What have we learned?

In a game that had a 78-yard punt by the Rams’ Johnny Hekker seal play-of-the-game status, the quality of both franchises was displayed. Both are horrendous, looking for a name for themselves while playing next-to-mediocre football.

Must Read: Rams vs Jets: A few takeaways in what we learned in Week 10

We’ve learned that the Jets are the NFL’s laughingstock. We’ve accepted just how messed up it is to cheer for this team, week in and week out, even though hearts are shattered constantly. But, most of all, we have learned how blessed we are to see a bye week. A week without Jets football used to have a sense of emptiness with it, but now it is a dream fulfilled.

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