Jets grades vs. Dolphins in Week 14
OFFENSE: F
The Jets never reached the end zone but backup QB Brady Cook threw two interceptions in it. They didn’t have a drive that lasted more than three plays until late in the third quarter. Cook did complete 14 of 30 passes for 163 yards but had several dropped and took six sacks (a few of them on scrambles back to the line of scrimmage). Their second-longest gain of the game was a 19-yard run on a fake punt.
DEFENSE: F
The Dolphins nearly had two running backs with 100 rushing yards: Jaylen Wright finished with 107 and De’Von Achane had 92 on just seven carries before leaving in the second quarter with a rib injury. The 239 rushing yards allowed was a season-high and the tackling was the worst it’s been all year. The Jets had three opportunities for takeaways but dropped two would-be interceptions. Tua Tagovailoa completed 13 of 21 passes for 127 yards and that was all he needed.
SPECIAL TEAMS: B+
Isaiah Williams did it again, returning a punt 78 yards for the Jets’ only touchdown. It was his second special teams score of the season. The fake punt almost blew up when upback Malachi Moore took the direct snap and pitched it at the feet of Isaiah Davis, but the running back made a nice recovery to pick up the ball and the first down. Austin McNamara was strong but could have been even better as both of his touchbacks had a chance to be downed inside the 5. Nick Folk kicked a 31-yard field goal.
COACHING: F
Aaron Glenn gave this grade to himself. “This is on me,” he said. The Jets defense looked unprepared, allowing a four-play, 69-yard touchdown drive to start the game, and never recovered. The offensive staff needed to do more to help rookie quarterback Cook settle into the game. Glenn did a nice job working the clock at the end of the half to force the Dolphins to punt, a play that he knew gave the Jets their best chance to score, but Wiliams’ return only got to the 47.
Tom Rock began covering sports for Newsday in 1996 and became its NFL columnist in 2022. He previously was Newsday's Giants beat writer beginning in 2008.
