Grading the Jets
Tight end Dustin Keller had two touchdown catches Sunday night as the Jets gave Miami's defense all it could handle. (Sept. 26, 2010) Credit: MCT
OFFENSE
For the second straight week, the Jets gave the opposing defense all it could handle. They rolled up 402 yards, averaging 7.1 yards per play on their 57 offensive snaps. Mark Sanchez was in a zone, throwing for 256 yards and three touchdowns without an interception for the second consecutive game. Dustin Keller was a huge factor with his two first-half touchdowns and Braylon Edwards played an integral role once he entered in the second quarter, catching a 67-yard touchdown and making some key blocks to help spring LaDainian Tomlinson.
Grade: A
DEFENSE
Perhaps they got worn down by the sticky conditions, but they yielded a whopping 436 yards and 24 first downs. There were a few communication breakdowns in the secondary, which led to Chad Henne throwing for 363 yards and two scores. They also couldn't contain Brandon Marshall, who had 10 receptions for 166 yards and a touchdown. But as much as they hemorrhaged yards in the South Florida humidity, they got it done at the end of the game when Drew Coleman corralled Henne's pass intended for Anthony Fasano in the end zone.
Grade: C-
SPECIAL TEAMS
Eric Smith's blocked punt late in the third quarter was a momentum shifter and the Jets cashed it in with a modest drive that resulted in a 30-yard Nick Folk field goal for a four-point lead. Folk missed for the first time in seven tries, though it was hardly his fault since the Jets elected to try a 61-yard attempt at the end of the first half. Steve Weatherford remains steady and averaged 42 yards per punt, dropping a pair inside the 20. Brad Smith averaged 37.5 yards per kickoff return and had a 54-yarder.
Grade: B+
COACHING
All week, Rex Ryan was coy about the amount of playing time Edwards would see following his DWI arrest early Tuesday. The Jets made it clear they weren't going to start Edwards, but he would play. Edwards was benched for a quarter - debate their decision all you want - and his touchdown gave the Jets the lead for good in the third quarter. Ryan made a nice call by challenging Jason Allen's near interception at the Jets' 23-yard line with 9:01 left in the fourth; the play was overturned. Burning two timeouts within a 44-second span in the second quarter was a head-scratcher, though.
Grade: B
