Clipped: Jets downed by Vick & Eagles

EAGLES 45
JETS 19

Ineptitude, incompetence, and just plain dreadfulness.

That pretty much describes the effort, or lack thereof, that was on display by the New York Jets Sunday afternoon when they were manhandled by the Philadelphia Eagles 45-19, dropping New York to 8-6, but still clinging to playoff hopes.

The Jets never got off the bus for this one; in fact, they may have been stuck in traffic on Route 95. Absolutely horrible from the top on down for Gang Green as the Jets watched the Eagles build a 28-0 lead with 6:30 minutes to go in the second quarter.

For those fans who thought that the Jets victories over the dregs of the NFL, i.e. Buffalo, Washington and Kansas City in consecutive weeks meant success was on the horizon, here's a new flash for ya: it meant nothing, nothing. The Jets, once again, showed that they can't compete with teams that are their equal, if not better than they. In spite of all the adversity the Eagles faced coming into this game, they were pound for pound a better football team on paper, and it showed on Sunday.

Under Rex Ryan, the Jets have never played up to the level of their competition, especially winning teams; the only exception coming one January Sunday in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

The fact that the Jets still hold onto the number six seed in the playoffs is an absolute joke, as Gang Green has to put the Detroit Lions on their Christmas card list after the Lions stunned the Oakland Raiders in the waning seconds on Sunday.

From start to finish the Jets were outplayed by the Eagles. It started with Santonio Holmes' fumble which was picked up by Juqua Parker, who rumbled 47 yards to pay dirt for the touchdown. That was followed by a Sanchez special, as the inconsistent quarterback threw an interception to Asante Samuel on a pass intended for Holmes that was eventually turned into six more for Philly; Michael Vick found Brent Celeck from 27 yards out to make it 14-0 in the first quarter.

The Jets were completely flabbergasted offensively. For some odd reason Brian Schottenheimer would not abandon the running game when the team was down by as many as 21 points, and the Jets passing attack was limited to short little screen passes to both LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene. Either Schottenheimer is stubborn, or he just doesn't have much confidence in Mark Sanchez when the chips are down. Maybe it's a combination of both.

Sanchez was under siege all night. He was treated like a Raggedy Ann doll; sacked four times, three by Jason Babin, he was even injured on one of the hits. Sanchez was not great; he threw two interceptions, including a completely stupid one as he was going down on a sack, and actually flipped the ball to an Eagle. Great job.

Defensively, the overrated Jets defense was like a sieve. They gave up 156 yards receiving to tight end Brent Celeck who ate the Jets secondary alive all night long. Michael Vick, who was limping around the field throughout the game, was solid, completing 15 of 22 passes for 274 yards and even ran in for one touchdown.

And speaking of incompetency: Mr. Santonio Holmes, congratulations, you are a winner in the "What-was-I-thinking" award.

Holmes was a huge culprit in this game. His fumble that resulted in an Eagles touchdown took all of the wind out of the Jets sails. He then allowed a Sanchez pass to go through his hands and into the hands of Asante Samuel, and, to top things off, with his team down 28-3, Holmes scored a touchdown, then decided to do his trademark, and over the top Jets touchdown dance in the end zone. Totally selfish and brainless on Holmes' part. His antics were a big reason why the Jets lost this game.

Now New York gets ready for the ultimate BOO fest when they square off with the equally dreadful Giants at Metlife Stadium. The Jets can't complain that they are being booed by Jets fans and Jets fans only because half the stadium will be filled with Giants fans. They will be booing the Jets too. Then again, fans of both teams will be booing a heck of a lot on Christmas Eve.