Grading the Jets
Jets head coach Rex Ryan celebrates a penalty call against the Denver Broncos. (Oct. 17, 2010) Credit: Getty Images
OFFENSE: C
A lot of mistakes, but the offense got in the end zone when it mattered most. Several players and even Rex Ryan indicated that might not have happened last year. Overall, the Jets had 319 total yards on 62 plays. Mark Sanchez connected on 17 of 30 attempts for 198 yards with a TD and two INTs. LaDainian Tomlinson ran for two scores and was the leading rusher - as he's been each game this season - though with a modest 55 yards. Dustin Keller was the leading receiver with 75 yards on three receptions.
DEFENSE: C
Still plenty of work to be done if the Jets are going to be the league's top-ranked defense again this season. They allowed 346 yards and 21 first downs, though the Broncos boasted the NFL's second-best passing attack heading into the game. Darrelle Revis surely didn't look like his normal self. Drew Coleman had played well in recent weeks in Revis' absence, but looked bad in coverage and was beaten a lot. They also let Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton scramble for a few key first downs.
SPECIAL TEAMS: B-
Nick Folk nailed a 56-yard field goal midway through the third quarter to tie it at 10, breaking the franchise's previous mark for the longest make. Three others had previously drilled a total of four field goals from 55 yards out. Punter Steve Weatherford had one 54-yarder and posted a solid net average of 42.2, with one of his five punts inside the 20. But the Jets got caught napping on the Broncos' onside kick after they tied it at 7 early in the second quarter.
COACHING: C
Playing Revis was risky and the Jets are lucky it didn't come back to bite them. Ryan said Revis was only about 90 percent. But give Ryan credit for the decision to put Antonio Cromartie on wide receiver Brandon Lloyd, who was targeted 10 times and came down with four fairly insignificant receptions for 74 yards.
