Week 14: Grading the Jets vs. Chiefs
Sione Pouha of the New York Jets celebrates a sack against the Kansas City Chiefs with teammate Marcus Dixon. (Dec. 11, 2011) Credit: Jim McIsaac
OFFENSE: A
The 28 points they rattled off in the first half were the most since 2008, when they posted 35 against the Cardinals. The 253 yards they accumulated in the game’s initial 30 minutes were the most they’ve racked up in a half since picking up 278 against the Bills in 2008. Shonn Greene ran for a season-high 129 yards on 24 carries, and also had three receptions for 58 yards for a career-high 187 combined net yards. Mark Sanchez completed 13 of 21 passes for 181 yards and two touchdowns, posting a QB rating of 121.3. He also ran for a pair of scores, becoming the first QB in franchise history to run for multiple touchdowns and pass for multiple touchdowns in a game.
DEFENSE: A+
The Jets suffocated Kansas City, yielding just 221 yards and 13 first downs on their 58 plays. They bottled up Tyler Palko, who was 16 of 32 for 195 yards with a TD and INT, and completely shut the run down, allowing 65 yards. In the first half alone, the Jets limited the Chiefs to 4 total yards of offense and minus-15 net yards passing. They also collected a season-high five sacks.
SPECIAL TEAMS: A
Mike Westhoff’s unit got back on track after turning the ball over in four straight games coming into this one. Jeremy Kerley was thrown back into the punt returning mix when Jim Leonhard went out with his knee injury and fared well. He had a 26-yard return and averaged 14 on his three returns. T.J. Conley was steady, dropping three of his seven punts inside the 20 and posting a long of 53.
COACHING: A-
Rex Ryan was on top of his game with his coach’s challenges once again. With the Jets leading 14-3 and in the red zone, Ryan made the correct decision to challenge Greene’s second-quarter fumble, which was overturned. Greene ran for a 7-yard touchdown on the next play and Ryan is now 6-for-7 on challenges this season.
