Jets need to eradicate defensive lapses

FLORHAM PARK, N.J.

The glass is half-full version of the 8-2 Jets' recent run of success:

With four comeback wins in the last five games, Mark Sanchez is beginning to emerge as the money quarterback the Jets envisioned when they traded up to take him fifth overall in the 2009 draft.

The glass is half-empty version? Had it not been for glaring late-game defensive collapses in all those wins, Sanchez wouldn't have been put in those situations and the Jets wouldn't have to answer legitimate questions about their defense.

Rex Ryan's version? He'll take the first one. Especially in the wake of Sanchez's staggeringly remarkable comeback Sunday in the 30-27 win over the Texans.

"The fact we came back might be better for our team in the long run," Ryan said yesterday. "The fact our young quarterback led our team down the field when it looked like it was stacked against us, I think is actually better for our team."

We'll soon find out whether the Sanchez heroics of the last four wins, which featured critical late-game throws, will actually strengthen the Jets' footing down the stretch and into the playoffs. Or whether the defensive meltdowns eventually will catch up to the Jets, to the point where even Sanchez can't bail his team out.

So Ryan can stand up for his defense all he wants, and he did plenty of that Monday, pointing out that his unit is statistically better at this point compared with the same time last year in all but one category (red-zone defense). But the fact remains that in wins over Denver, Detroit, Cleveland and Houston - teams with a combined record of 12-27 going into last night's Broncos-Chargers game - the Jets have escaped by the skin of their teeth. Or to put it more accurately, by the guts and guile of their emerging quarterback.

So yes, Ryan is correct about the benefits of Sanchez's having to bail his team out late in games. But the coach is ignoring reality if he doesn't find fault with a defense that finished first overall last year, yet is now struggling to achieve the kind of dynamic and dominant performances they showed in 2009.

"If you have a great defense, you can stop people from scoring,'' All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis said, "and that's the one thing we want to do.''

The Jets have done better than most this season in stopping offenses, allowing 17.7 points per game, fifth-best in the league. But it's the late-game breakdowns that are of greater concern, especially against below-.500 teams.

Consider: The Jets allowed Denver to go ahead late in the fourth quarter on a 50-yard field-goal drive. Against the Lions, the Jets had to rally from a 20-10 deficit in the fourth quarter to force overtime. The Browns tied the Jets with a touchdown drive late in the fourth. On Sunday, the Jets blew a 16-point lead in the fourth quarter before Sanchez won it with his touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes with 10 seconds left.

Give the Jets plenty of credit for finding a way to win in difficult circumstances. But you can't close your eyes to these continuing late defensive lapses, especially with a grueling upcoming schedule. After a Thanksgiving night game against the Bengals - whose offense is far more dangerous than their 2-8 record would suggest - the Jets face road games against the 8-2 Patriots, 7-3 Steelers and 7-3 Bears.

You want to beat those teams, then you can't suffer these defensive lapses.

Revis said it's a matter of "cleaning up the mistakes and playing confident football." Sounds simple, right? Well, perhaps a better barometer of the Jets' defensive struggles lies in what their most outspoken player isn't saying.

After Sunday's game, linebacker Bart Scott was approached by reporters, but Scott didn't want to talk. "I don't want to say anything inflammatory," he said.