Colts vs. Jets: The good, the bad and the ugly

A winning formula is beginning to take ahold in MetLife.  This week’s 42-34 home victory over a desperate dangerous Indianapolis Colts team returns the New York Jets to .500 (3-3) — and back to NFL relevance.

In many ways, this game was more about Joe Namath‘s fiery halftime speech — 50 years since 1968’s Super Bowl champs defeated Johnny Unitas‘ Colts, then based in Baltimore — exhorting all New York Jets fans to jump on this Sam Darnold bandwagon.  The rabid fanbase waived their white 50th-anniversary towels with abandon and exited the Meadowlands parking lot with smiles on their collective faces.  Gang Green supporters have good reason to swallow this Kool-Aid.

Give it up for preseason replacement kicker Jason Myers.  The former Jaguars booter straight outta Poughkeepsie’s Marist, set a team record, 7/7 on FGs, including four high-pressure second-half boots.  The offense performed so solidly that Lach Edwards only punted once (43 yards, no return).

Head coach Todd Bowles has certainly been frustrating and erratic, but these recent games may have saved his job with the Jets.  But with three victories thus far, he probably needs to win at least four of the final ten games to merit a return.

This week’s home match-up against the Kirk Cousins-led Minnesota Vikings will speak volumes about the franchise moving forward.  Here’s the good, the bad and the ugly about the Jets with three months remaining in their 2018 slate.

3. The Good

This team’s future will be built on the back of Sam Darnold.  The poised 21-year-old (24/30, 280 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT) improves week by week, and never makes the same mistake twice.  Two particular scoring drives — to end the first half and to start the second — demonstrated profound NFL ability.  Watching Josh McCown constantly coaching up the kid is another thing of beauty.

Jets #10 all-time leading rusher Bilal Powell and Dude Wipes spokesman Isaiah Crowell combined for 99 yards on the ground.  For the first game this season, neither back coughed up a costly fumble.

The tight end corps is nicely rounding into shape.  Most impressive in this game were nice plays featuring the return of Monmouth product Neal Sterling (2-13), and the evolution of rookie stud Chris Herndon (2-56) with his first NFL six-pointer, a lovely 32-yarder to open the second half.

The Colts game featured some nice WR play between Jermaine Kearse (9 nabs, 94 yards), Robby Anderson (3-39), and Terrelle Pryor (5-57, one TD).  But worry about Quincy Enunwa‘s right ankle, his second-quarter departure after a reception/fumble, felt all too much like last year’s season-ending neck during at the Green and White Scrimmage.  And don’t be surprised if Pryor misses the Viking’s face-off with pulled groin muscles.

Next: 2. The Bad

2. The Bad

It was great to see defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers‘ return to the sidelines, back from dealing with his undisclosed life-threatening illness.  The players responded enthusiastically to his return.  But his unit did not respond in kind, with the same blown assignments and communication lapses.

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Injuries to key secondary players surely played a role — with veteran star CBs Trumaine Johnson and Buster Skrine in street clothes, and safety Marcus Maye at half speed.  But Andrew Luck shredded Gang Green’s back-end for 301 passing yards and four TDs on 23 completions.  Fill-ins Darryl Roberts and Parry Nickerson looked lost at times.

Luck’s three INTs were his own player’s faults, tipping/dropping passes, and running sloppy routes. Having said that, the Jets beleaguered LBs deserve much credit for an inspired effort, their finest all-around game of the season with INTs by Darron Lee and Avery Williamson, and at least two head-rattling hits by former Ivy League star Brandon Copeland.

The defensive line forced no sacks, and it was disconcerting to witness yet another stat-less performance by perennially double-teamed Leonard Williams.  But nose tackles Steve McLendon and Mike Pennel both had their names announced after devastating tackles.

Next: 1. The Ugly

1. The Ugly

It’s nice to dream big, but playoff success is not likely in the picture for this .500 team.  Expect GM Mike Maccagnan to address roster weaknesses in the upcoming weeks as well as over the offseason.  Don’t be surprised if he poaches one or two Oakland Raiders, now that Jon Gruden‘s underwhelming squad might just pack it in.

Yes, the offensive line is slowly coming to form, in both the passing and rushing game.  But pricey free agent center Spencer Long makes making too many rudimentary mistakes.  And how often does “sixth lineman” Eric Tomlinson get flagged for some inane infraction calling back another big Darnold play?  How often do we have to hear, “Holding, number 83, offense?”

The Jets defense seemed like they had packed it in after their offense took a 30-13 third-quarter lead.  Once again, the issues seemed schematic, which reflects negatively on the coaching staff.  Other than Jamal Adams, are there any other every-down inspirational contributors to this unit?

This week’s opponent. Minnesota (3-2-1), will make for a formidable matchup.  Unlike Luck, Kirk Cousins has offensive weapons, robust protection, and a powerful defense.  A Gang Green victory would be more than satisfying.  But realistically, Jets fans should hope that their team can just keep this game close.