Grading the Jets vs. Vikings

OFFENSE C

Although they compiled 328 yards, it was a struggle Monday night, especially on third downs. The Jets converted only 5 of 17 chances, leading to many drives stalling out. Mark Sanchez, despite establishing a career high for passing attempts in the first half with 29, wasn't sharp with his accuracy and missed wide-open receivers more often than normal. LaDainian Tomlinson was the Jets' leading rusher for the fifth consecutive week, running for 94 yards on 20 carries. Shonn Greene scored his first touchdown of the season on a 23-yard run, finishing with 57 yards on 10 carries. The Jets became the first team in 52 games to rush for at least 150 yards against the Vikings, halting the second-longest streak in NFL history. Braylon Edwards had a nice game with five receptions for 70 yards.

DEFENSE B

They got after Brett Favre, sacking him four times, hitting him eight times and picking him off once. The Jets also held the Vikings to a mere 51 first-half yards and three first downs before Minnesota started gashing their secondary beginning in the third quarter. But despite yielding 20 points and 285 yards in the second half, the Jets made the big play when they had to. Dwight Lowery's 26-yard interception return with 1:30 left sealed things for a defense that still hasn't quite played like the top-ranked unit from a year ago.

SPECIAL TEAMS A

Seems like we've heard the last of the "Why didn't the Jets re-sign Jay Feely?" questions - for one more week, anyway. Nick Folk nailed all five field-goal attempts and was an unsung hero for the Jets, even banging a long of 53 yards in those dreary conditions. Brad Smith turned in another one of his impressive kickoff returns, running one back 86 yards to set up a field goal after the Vikings cut the Jets' lead to 12-7 in the third quarter. Steve Weatherford dropped four of seven punts inside the 20-yard line and averaged 43.1 net yards per punt.

COACHING B

Perhaps it's just a nitpick and use of good old hindsight, but the staff should've thought long and hard about sitting cornerback Darrelle Revis after the pregame deluge and subsequent rain during the game. Last thing you want is for Revis to aggravate his strained hamstring, which might've happened. Also, the time management near the end nearly cost the Jets the game. Sanchez knows it would have been wise for him to wait until one second was left on the 40-second play clock, and Ryan admitted he should've made that clear to Sanchez. Either way, the Jets need to learn quickly from that lesson.