To say it wasn't pretty would be considered an understatement. While expectations are indeed at an all time low for the New York Jets, their 21-12 loss to the Buffalo Bills did little to endear any confidence that this team can best those expectations. In fact, Sunday's loss confirmed a disturbing truth, the Jets are deficient just about everywhere on the field. From the defensive front, to the offensive line, running game, quarterback, and even the head coach, the Jets have a big problem. Call it a rebuild, but this team needs a lot more work than potentially just drafting Sam Darnold next spring.
Let's break it down:
LeSean McCoy and Mike Tolbert Killed the Jets: The Bills running back tandem of LeSean McCoy and Mike Tolbert were an unstoppable force on Sunday. McCoy gashed the Jets for 110 yards on 22 carries, and had another 49 yards receiving. He had four plays that went for 20-yards or more, including a 27-yard run that helped set up the Bills third touchdown of the day to make it 21-12. As for Tolbert, it seemed that every time he hit the line, he was pushing the pile for three yards or more. Overall the former Panther carried the rock 12 times for 42 yards with a touchdown.
This was an embarrassment for the Jets, because they came into the opener touting how good their front seven would be. Instead they were getting blown off their blocks by the Buffalo offensive line, and whenever they were in position to make a play on McCoy he sidestepped one way to move tacklers away from him.
Successful Run Game Sets Up the Pass with Tyrod Taylor: With McCoy and Tolbert toying with the Jets front seven, Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor had a fine day. He was able to use his legs on numerous occasions to get himself out of trouble to make big play after big play. Nobody is going to confuse Taylor with Michael Vick or Doug Flutie, but it felt Flutie-lite on Sunday in Buffalo. Perhaps Taylor's biggest throw of the day came in the third quarter when he hit Jordan Matthews for 47 yards to the Jets 17 yard line, which set up Buffalo's second touchdown to push the lead to 14-6.
Stupid Jets Tricks: If you want a microcosm of how bad the Jets could be this year, look no further than the Justin Burris interception of Taylor in the end zone. With Buffalo poised to strike early, Taylor's pass was batted into the air and picked up by Burris in the back of the end zone. The safety brought it out untouched and it appeared he had the blocking to go the distance for 108-yard pick-6, but leave it to the Jets to screw it up. At midfield, Burris was tackled ... by his own man, Demario Davis who fell into him. The pick was a blown chance, because the Jets offense proceeded to go three-and-out on the ensuing possession.
Josh McCown wasn't Good Enough: This was the first time all year that Jets fans had a chance to see Josh McCown for an extended period of time. He wasn't spectacular, but he wasn't awful either. He completed 26 of 39 passes, but threw for only 187 yards, meaning that most of his reads were check-downs. That could mean a few things 1) the Jets don't trust McCown's deep ball. 2) The Jets don't feel that McCown is on the same page with newcomers Jeremy Kerley and Jermain Kearse enough to allow the deep throw. Either way, McCown's efforts were not enough. You get the sense when he is under center it is either field goal or bust for this offense.
Jets Best Offensive Player? It had to be Jermaine Kearse. He made a number of tough catches and converted a couple of key first downs to keep the chains moving. Overall Kearse had seven catches for 59 yards in his Jets debut. He is going to be the Jets leading receiver this year with Quincy Enunwa out for the year.
Todd Bowles Hot Seat: Let's just call it warm. While Bowles is getting a raw deal here by Woody Johnson, he didn't do much to make anyone believe that he should be the longterm head coach. The worst in-game decision he made came late in the fourth quarter with New York trailing 21-12 and facing a fourth and eight at midfield. Instead of going for it with four minutes to go in the game, Bowles elected to punt. That is about as close to waving a white flag as there is in the NFL.
Moreover, a story leaked out that Bowles benched back-up Bryce Petty, and only dressed Christian Hackenberg as McCown's back-up on Sunday. This was a curious move, considering Petty clearly outplayed Hackenberg all pre-season. Moves like this make you wonder who is running the show. Is it Bowles? Or is Bowles taking order from GM Mike Maccagnan, who wants to prove his pick of Hackenberg in the second round two years ago wasn't a total waste? Only those two men know.
Next Up: The Jets head to Oakland to face Derek Carr and the Raiders. Let's give the Jets a 10-point head start. They'll need it. Oakland could easily hit 50 points next Sunday if the Jets defense plays as poorly as they did Sunday in Buffalo.
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