Grading the Jets: Zach Wilson mistakes obscure some good play

Offense: D

The Jets needed to get their passing game going, and Zach Wilson got it going early with a 54-yard pass to set up a field goal. After not throwing a touchdown (or an interception) in the previous three games, Wilson hit Tyler Conklin for an 8-yard score three minutes into the second quarter. The Jets were up, 10-3. Then Wilson began to create more questions about whether he can be a franchise quarterback, throwing three INTs. His completion percentage wasn’t good: .488, 20-for-41. Wilson did throw for 355 yards and hit Conklin again for a 9-yard TD late in the game. Wilson faced a lot of pressure from the New England pass rush but was sacked just twice. Garrett Wilson caught six passes for 115 yards, including that 54-yarder. Denzel Mims had an impressive 63-yard catch-and-run play to set up Conklin’s second score. So 117 of Zach Wilson’s passing yards came on two plays. Breece Hall went down for the season with a torn ACL the previous Sunday at Denver, and the running game didn’t look all that inspiring without him. Michael Carter led the Jets with just 26 yards on seven carries. They finished with only 51 yards on 15 carries — just 3.4 per try. 

Defense: B

The defensive line had its good moments, sacking Mac Jones six times. The sacks came from six players — Michael Clemons, Carl Lawson, Jacob Martin, John Franklin-Myers, Nathan Shepherd and Quinnen Williams. Bryce Huff also forced a fluttering interception grabbed by Michael Carter II. But Franklin-Myers made a killer of a mistake that was a turning point. The Jets led 10-3 when Jones threw a ball that was also picked off by Carter, and he sped 84 yards for a touchdown with 23 seconds left in the half. It was nullified. Franklin-Myers got called for roughing the passer. The Patriots ended up kicking a field goal to cut it to four and sped ahead quickly in the second half. The defense does get credit for holding the Patriots to just one touchdown. Nick Folk kicked five field goals.

Special teams: D

Braden Mann’s first punt went only 22 yards. The punt coverage team gave up a 32-yard return that set up a field goal that made it 19-10 Patriots late in the third. Greg Zuerlein hit a 28-yard field goal but missed a 45-yarder. Braxton Berrios averaged just 18 yards on two kickoff returns. 

Coaching: C

It seemed like this could be the game for the Jets to snap their 12-game losing streak to New England. They arrived in second place in the AFC East at 5-2, with four straight wins. The Patriots were in last at 3-4. But Bill Belichick ruled over the Jets again. The Jets’ staff still needs to get Zach Wilson to throw the ball away quicker. And they still haven’t shaped him into a franchise quarterback. Three interceptions served as a bad look in a big game for the second-year Jets QB.