OFFENSE
All the talk coming out of the bye was the Jets figured out their first-quarter struggles. Well, they didn’t. First series was a three-and-out. The second series ended with a missed field goal, and extended the Jets’ scoreless first-quarter drought to six games. The Jets’ first touchdown drive — they had a total of two — was set up by a 46-yard pass interference penalty. After Zach Wilson left in the first half with a knee injury, Mike White saw his first NFL action. He threw a touchdown on his first-ever pass attempt. But he also threw two interceptions. The Jets ran a reverse with rookie Elijah Moore that went for a 19-yard touchdown — the first of his career. They need to involve Moore even more. It was a good play call. On the two-point conversion attempt they were stuffed on a run up the middle.
GRADE: F
DEFENSE
The Jets definitely missed middle linebacker C.J. Mosley, who couldn’t play because of a hamstring injury. The Patriots scored on their first six possessions and nine of their first 10. They’re not the Rams or Chiefs and they don’t have Tom Brady running the offense anymore. This was a major beatdown — the most points the Jets have allowed since 1979. They gave up 551 yards of total offense. They couldn’t stop the run — Damien Harris averaged 7.6 yards per carry and ran for two scores. The Jets couldn’t stop the short passing game or deep shots. They couldn’t get to Mac Jones or rattle him at all. The rookie quarterback threw for 307 yards and two touchdowns — the first 300-yard passing game of his career.
GRADE: F
SPECIAL TEAMS
Kicker Matt Ammendola had a chance to end the Jets’ season-long first-quarter scoring drought. But his 48-yard field goal went wide right. That was his only attempt. He kicked an extra point in the second quarter. The Jets had plenty of kickoff opportunities, but they couldn’t break one. They averaged 23.5 yards on their six returns, and never started a drive beyond their own 33. Their kickoff and punt coverage weren’t stellar either. They gave up 28.5 yards on two kickoffs and 30 on two punts.
GRADE: D-
COACHING
Out of the bye week, the Jets looked as inept as ever, and on both sides of the ball. They showed nothing on offense that made you believe there was any progress made in the two weeks since they played a game. Mike LaFleur keeps talking about his play-calling needs to be better and he needs to put his guys in position to succeed. When does that start happening? The defense had its worst day by far. W worse than that, they showed no resistance. None. They knew what the Patriots would do, and they couldn’t stop it. Nine scoring drives in the first 10 possessions is beyond humiliating.
GRADE: F
