Jets report card vs. Jaguars in Week 15
Jaguars wide receiver Jakobi Meyers makes a catch against Jets cornerback Jordan Clark on Sunday. Credit: AP/Phelan M. Ebenhack
OFFENSE: C-
Undrafted rookie Brady Cook, making his first NFL start, was put in a tough situation again because of the Jets’ defensive failures. They would rather have established the run – they never did – than have to throw as much they did. Cook completed 22 of 33 passes for 176 yards and a touchdown. He also threw three interceptions. Two of them were his fault, particularly the one in the end zone. It’s the third time in two games that Cook threw an end-zone pick. Breece Hall, slowed during the week by a knee issue, wasn’t effective at all. He carried the ball 12 times for 23 yards. The Jaguars’ loaded up to stop him and they did.
DEFENSE: F
It ain’t working. So many coverage issues. So many issues overall. Coordinator Steve Wilks’ group continues to struggle getting stops and making plays. The Jaguars scored their most points in nearly 20 years. They had touchdowns on their first three possessions, matching what the Dolphins did a week ago against the Jets. The Jaguars got points on eight of their first nine drives. They finished with 438 total yards. The Jets barely touched Trevor Lawrence, who had five touchdown passes. They had no sacks and just two quarterback hits. They forced and recovered a fumble but still have no interceptions this season.
SPECIAL TEAMS: B-
Isaiah Williams almost had his third punt return touchdown of the season – and fourth return TD overall - but it was negated by an illegal block penalty on Tre Brown. That would have made the score 21-14. The Jaguars wouldn’t kick to Williams or Kene Nwangwu. They kicked it into the end zone nine times. Nick Folk made field goals of 41 and 51 yards. Austin McNamara kicked a kickoff out of bounds and the Jets gave up returns of 43 and 50 yards. They still were the best unit.
COACHING: F
The Jets’ defense wasn’t ready to play again. They’re banged up but that’s no excuse because it’s been an ongoing issue that ultimately could cost Wilks’ his job. Aaron Glenn is a former defensive coordinator, so this falls on him, too. The Jets had two negative plays on their first offensive series – one on the first play. These are scripted. The offense rebounded, but it was a bad day overall for the Jets.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
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