NY Jets studs and duds following loss to Ravens in Week 1

The NY Jets were defeated by the Baltimore Ravens 24-9 in their season opener. Although it was a bad performance, some players held their own. Let’s look at some of the studs and duds from the rough loss.

DJ Reed, CB, NY Jets - STUD

D.J. Reed played extremely well in his first game with the Jets. Reed had an acrobatic interception that would set up the only touchdown of the day for the Jets.

The fifth-year cornerback did not allow a reception in 29 coverage snaps and 5 targets as the nearest defender per NextGenStats. PFF tagged him with allowing zero receptions on six total targets.

Sauce Gardner, CB, NY Jets - STUD

The fourth overall pick played up to his draft slot in his NFL debut. Sauce Gardner had his best play in the second quarter with an impressive pass break-up on a would-be Mark Andrews touchdown.

Gardner allowed two receptions for 19 yards in 29 coverage snaps and four targets as the nearest defender per NextGenStats. PFF had him allowing just one catch for eight yards on three targets.

Joe Flacco, QB, NY Jets - DUD

Joe Flacco went 37-of-59 for 307 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. It was a lackluster day for the veteran quarterback, who was not getting too much help from the rest of the offense but struggled nonetheless.

It will be interesting to see if Mike White is under center in Week 2 or at any point before Wilson returns.

Offensive Line - DUD

After injuries to Mekhi Becton and eventually Duane Brown, the Jets' reworked offensive line struggled to contain the Ravens' pass rush. Flacco was sacked three times on the day and was under constant pressure.

The Jets have to hope that this offensive line can get on the same page before Duane Brown’s return from the injured reserve.

Lamarcus Joyner, S, NY Jets - DUD

Lamarcus Joyner struggled in coverage, including an unnecessary pass interference on Demarcus Robinson for 32 yards that would set up the Ravens to score. Joyner would also get beat over the top by Rashod Bateman for a 55-yard touchdown.

The Jets' corners were good, but they must get more help from the back end to stop those "explosive" plays Robert Saleh talks about.

Greg Zuerlein, K, NY Jets - DUD

Although I recently wrote about how the Jets could have found the answer to their kicking problem, that might not be the case. Greg Zuerlein had the chance to tie the game early in the second quarter but missed a 45-yard field goal and killed a lot of the momentum the Jets had going.

Zuerlein would make another 45-yard attempt later in the game but missed the lone extra point he attempted.

Braden Mann, P, NY Jets - DUD

Braden Mann had six punts for 253 yards, for an average of 42.2 yards — one of which was a 20-yard boot at the start of the second half that would set up a touchdown for the Ravens to make it a 17-3 game.

The Jets held their own in the first half, and you can even make the argument that they were the better team. The second half was a different story, however, and the team has a lot to clean up before next Sunday.