Final Week 16 post game grades for the Jets

Dec 24, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New York Jets quarterback Bryce Petty (9) prepares for a snap against the New England Patriots in the first quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Jets were yet again embarrassed by the New England Patriots, losing 41-3 on Christmas Eve. We weren’t given the Christmas present fans wanted, which would’ve been an upset in Foxboro.

As stated in the excerpt, the New York Jets were shamed on Christmas Eve, as they were beaten to a pulp by New England. Maybe we were given an early present, though, as the Jets work towards a top-five pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. Knowing the Jets, though, they will probably draft someone along the lines of a Stephen Hill. Let’s hope not.

It was such an embarrassing game to say “yeah, I’m a Jets fan.” Every game it’s embarrassing, but this was different. The Jets are on the verge of being blown out three times in a row to division opponents. They also have done this on two primetime games and on Christmas Eve. How glorious?

The only highlights that can come from this game, are that head coach Todd Bowles was healthy after a health-scare on Friday and that receiver Devin Smith returned to action.

I want to wish everyone a happy holiday, as we now have them to look forward to, instead of Jets football.

Next: Quarterback Bryce Petty

Dec 24, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New York Jets quarterback Bryce Petty (9) looks to hand off the ball during the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Quarterback Bryce Petty: F

Bryce Petty is the ninth quarterback to play against the Patriots since 2001. He has thrown a pick in all five games he’s appeared in. In his first four drop-backs of the game, Petty was sacked twice and picked off once on two attempts.

His other attempt was about three yards short on a swing pass to Bilal Powell. Petty finished 0-3 with a pick until leaving the game in the second quarter with a left-shoulder injury.

It was tough luck for Petty, as he already sustained a rib injury last week against Miami. With one game left in the season, I wouldn’t mind seeing Christian Hackenberg. What else do we have to lose?

Next: Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick

Dec 24, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) runs off the field against the New England Patriots in the second half at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Jets 41-3. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick: F

As I said last week, this guy keeps finding his way into an NFL game! He helped the Jets reach a league-worst minus-22 turnover ratio. Over the course of this unexplainable year, Fitzpatrick has shown us every reason as to why he has been around the league and back a thousand times.

Next year should provide Fitz a new home, as his time in New York is assumed-to-be over. He will have company, though, as I expect the Jets to have a clean slate going into the 2017 season.

Next: Running back Bilal Powell

Running back Bilal Powell: C

Powell’s hot streak over the past few weeks came to a cool, as the Patriots defense held him to 15 rushes for 60 yards. But, it’s not about what the Pats’ defense did. It’s about what the Jets’ offensive line didn’t do. But, that’ll be left for a slide to come.

Powell was tied for the Jets’ leading receiver on Saturday, catching two footballs for 14 yards on three targets. He deserves the highest grade of all, though, as nobody else on this team deserves higher than a ‘D’ not only for this game but for the year.

Next: Receivers

Dec 17, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Quincy Enunwa (81) makes a diving catch against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports

Receivers: F

Quincy Enunwa has been inconsistent all year with his productivity, but one thing we’ve seen is his catching ability increase for 15 weeks. Saturday was a stall in progress, as Enunwa dropped three passes, one of which went through his hands and was intercepted by Malcolm Butler. On five targets, Enunwa had a lone catch for 30 yards.

One of the nice things to see, though, was Devin Smith return to action. He looked healthy in his very limited action and tallied a catch on three targets for 20 yards.

Brandon Marshall was surprisingly invisible, even with Fitzpatrick playing a bulk of the game. Tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins had a single catch but should’ve caught a touchdown on a ball that went off his chest. Imagine that! A tight end catching a pass is already a rarity, but a touchdown? That hasn’t happened since Kellen Davis‘ last year for one of his three catches in that almost-magical year.

Four players on New England caught as-many-or-more passes (2 or more) than Jets’ receivers did.

Next: Defensive line

Dec 11, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New York Jets defensive tackle Leonard Williams (92) celebrates with defensive end Sheldon Richardson (91) after Richardson

Defensive Line: F

One sack. Two quarterback hits and tackle-for-losses. It was more than terrible. It was classic.

The Jets were deemed to be one of the best defensive teams in football, with their defensive line highlighting this attribution. ESPN Staff Writer Rich Cimini had an excerpt from Muhammad Wilkerson in his post-game piece.

Jets DE Mo Wilkerson addressed the team in the locker rom before, imploring his teammates to play for Todd Bowles. He told them that Bowles, with a health issue, made the “sacrifice” to coach. They lost, 41-3. “The whole team should be embarrassed,” he said.

– Rich Cimini, ESPN.com

This was the fifth time this season that the Jets have lost by 15 points or more. Blame should be everywhere, but opposing quarterback play has been above-average due to the amount of time that the Jets’ defensive line is allowing them. Disgraceful.

Next: Linebackers

Dec 24, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount (29) carries the ball as New York Jets outside linebacker Darron Lee (50) defends in the second half at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Jets 41-3. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Linebackers: D

David Harris and Darron Lee were amongst the top-five tacklers yet again this week, combining for 15. Other than that, it was ugly. Along with the helpless play from the defensive line, the Jets were bullied by power back LeGarrette Blount and the speedy Dion Lewis. Blount added to his league-leading touchdown mark with two on 20 carries.

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Rookie linebacker Freddie Bishop was left alone on Julian Edelman towards the end of the first half, resulting in a 35-yard reception. This basically summed up the play of the second-level: confusing.

The whole defensive scheme for Saturday was strange. Only the Jets would only rush three or four, and have the rest of the defense in coverage, but it didn’t matter. Yes, it was Tom Brady, but that’s no excuse for such a poor year-long performance.

Yes, it was Tom Brady, but that’s no excuse for such a poor year-long performance.

Next: Secondary

Dec 24, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots running back James White (28) drops a pass as New York Jets strong safety Rontez Miles (45) defends during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Secondary: F

If you’re reading this, you should already know how this one’s laid out. Horrible. Rancid. Disgusting. Whatever harsh word you want to use, it can be applied to the definition of the Jets’ secondary. Here are the highlights of Week 15’s secondary:

A touchdown pass to Matt Lengel was the first catch of his career. Who better to catch your first pass AND touchdown, than Tom Brady? Better yet, against the Jets’ secondary? It was Burris in coverage, and with Lengel standing at 6’7”, 266 pounds, it was yet another mismatch. 

A holding call on Doug Middleton led to a Dion Lewis 25-yard catch with 25 seconds left, giving the Pats a 27-0 lead at halftime. 

Next: Top 10 defensive backs of all time for the Jets

Revis was playing 10 yards off on 3rd-and-1, leading to a completion to James White and a Blount touchdown.