Jets’ grades: Defense can’t save conservative offense
New York Jets quarterback Bryce Petty (9) hands off the ball to New York Jets running back Matt Forte (22) during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. Credit: AP / Bill Kostroun
OFFENSE: C-
Save for Bryce Petty directing an impressive 99-yard, second-quarter scoring drive, the offense failed to get into the end zone. Petty (19-for-32 passing, 163 yards) completed 9 of 13 passes for 98 yards and a touchdown in the first half. But his late-game pick killed any hope of a comeback against the Rams. The Jets outgained the Rams 193-148 in the first two quarters but fell flat after halftime. Running back Bilal Powell had seven catches, more than the total for Brandon Marshall (four receptions, 15 yards) and Quincy Enunwa (one catch, 7 yards). Powell’s 4-yard score on a perfectly executed hook-and-ladder play that began with a Petty pass to Marshall gave the Jets a second-quarter lead. Powell also had four carries for 37 yards and Matt Forte rushed 20 times for 98 yards. Rookie Robby Anderson had only three catches, but his 52-yard catch was critical to the Jets’ lone scoring drive.
DEFENSE: B
The Jets kept the Rams out of the end zone and still managed to lose. The Rams targeted Darrelle Revis from the start and Kenny Britt finished with 109 yards on seven catches, though he didn’t score. Neither did Todd Gurley, who rushed for 64 yards on 21 carries. Rams quarterback Case Keenum (17-for-30, 165 yards) dinked and dunked his way down the field, but Bowles’ defense held its own in the red zone and allowed only three field goals. The Jets also sacked Keenum three times (Steve McLendon: 1.5; Lorenzo Mauldin, David Harris and Darron Lee each 0.5).
SPECIAL TEAMS: F
Days after the coaching staff expressed faith in Jalin Marshall, the rookie return man muffed a second-quarter punt for minus-6 yards. He was replaced by Nick Marshall on the next punt but later resumed his duties. Nick Folk missed the PAT on Powell’s touchdown. C.J. Spiller had three kickoff returns for a total of 59 yards (19.7 average) and punter Lachlan Edwards had a net average of 38 yards.
COACHING: D
Give Chan Gailey credit for drawing up the pretty hook-and-ladder, but he was far too conservative as the game wore on — and it cost them. Petty’s arm is his best weapon, but Gailey took the ball out of the second-year QB’s hands by playing not to lose. Case in point: With the Jets up 6-3 with the ball on their own 38 in the second quarter, Gailey called a Forte run up the middle on third-and-10. The home crowd booed after Forte’s run yielded 2 yards and the Jets were forced to punt. There also were no adjustments made to get Brandon Marshall more involved. Todd Bowles made the right call in choosing Petty to start over an unhealthy Ryan Fitzpatrick. But silly penalties continue to crop up (i.e., a 12 men on the field).
