Jets' Week 3 grades: Mostly bad marks in loss to Bengals
Head coach Robert Saleh of the Jets looks on against the Cincinnati Bengals at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Sep. 25, 2022. Credit: Jim McIsaac
OFFENSE: This was a disappointing effort, especially after last week’s production. Joe Flacco (four TD passes last week) didn’t lead a single touchdown drive. He also coughed up the football four times (two interceptions, two fumbles). The offensive line didn’t protect Flacco well. Left tackle George Fant struggled and eventually left with a knee issue. His replacement, Conor McDermott, struggled as well. Flacco was sacked four times and was drilled a couple of times from his blind side. The run game didn’t produce much. The Jets only averaged 3.8 yards on 20 carries. Veteran receiver Corey Davis was flagged for a killer unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in the end zone which hurt the Jets’ chances to get a touchdown.
GRADE: F
DEFENSE: The Jets couldn’t stop the Bengals early and they still haven’t fixed their issue of allowing explosive plays. Joe Burrow threw for 163 yards and two touchdowns in the first quarter. The Bengals had allowed 13 sacks in the first two games. The Jets got to Burrow three times but it had little effect on the game. The defense allowed a 56-yard catch-and-run touchdown to Tyler Boyd, who should have been wrapped up by safety Jordan Whitehead. Instead, Boyd bounced off of Whitehead and went the distance. A lack of discipline killed the Jets on defense as well. They committed two unnecessary roughness penalties on back-to-back first-half drives. Cincinnati ended both series with points.
GRADE: F
SPECIAL TEAMS: Greg Zuerlein accounted for all 12 points with field goals of 50, 40, 52 and 43 yards. Braden Mann averaged 48.7 yards on his three punts. The return game didn’t produce much: 30 yards total on one kick and one punt return. The Jets covered well, allowing 11.5 yards on two punts.
GRADE: A-
COACHING: The players need to execute, but the Jets have holes that need fixing. They couldn’t get any pressure on Burrow against an offensive line that had been a sieve and they’re still not eliminating the big plays, as they talk about all the time. It’s also not a good look when one of your star players (Quinnen Williams) and defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton are screaming at each other and need guys to get in the middle of them. Offensively, the Jets are putting themselves in bad positions and forced to throw all the time. They need to establish the run and get the tight end involved much earlier.
GRADE: F
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
