Yes, we won, and we're all thrilled, but there's no time to relax; we have to work on fixing our mistakes before heading into Pittsburgh, where the Steelers will be looking for payback after a 22-17 loss to the Jets in week 15. There was a lot of stuff I liked about the Jets' effort today; the secondary had its best game of the season. The receivers made some tremendous catches. And the running game did just enough to put the game away.
But, to be honest, there were a lot more things I did not like about the way the Jets played. The secondary truly bailed out the Jets coaching staff and some folks on special teams. Here is my list of concerns:
Forcing those two fumbles on Brady and Woodcock was terrific, but you HAVE to fall on the ball. We had first crack at recovering both of those fumbles.
And speaking of falling on the ball, I cannot believe Cromartie had the chutzpah to pick up the onside kick and run it back. If he fails to pick up the ball and the Patriots recover, that becomes the stupidest play of the year. Yes, even stupider than Santonio Holmes's antics on the first punt last week. Mike Westhoff is gonna be pulling some ears this week.
I liked that we followed the same blueprint as last week, but if the cornerbacks, safeties, and linebackers are all dropping back into coverage, who's gonna stop the running backs from getting to the second level? The tackling on the Law Firm and Danny Woodcock was horrific. Rashard Mendenhall burned us for 100 yards last time. If he does it again, I don't like our chances. The tackling all around was terrible today. If you get your hand on a man in front of the first-down marker or behind the line of scrimage, you better wrap him up. No excuses.
I think the fade pattern into the end zone is the lowest percentage play call of all time. I might understand if you want to call it on 1st down, but on 3rd and 4 in the red zone? Horrible. It took a legendary catch to make it work. The slants were working all day, and that's a MUCH easier throw for an inaccurate quarterback to make.
With the Jets up 14 with 1:30 to go, the last think you want to do is let Brady drive down the field in under a minute to score a touchdown and give them the opportunity to try another onside kick. You played outstanding defense all day; why switch it up now? The only one who played defense on that drive was Antonio Cromartie, when he broke up the throw to Deion Branch at the goal-line. It's well established that the only thing the infamous "prevent defense" prevents is punts (hat tip Gregg Easterbrook).
One thing I learned today that I did not know before: David Harris is very very slow. Aside from the interception, which was an outstanding read, he did not have a very good game. He missed two tackles for losses that turned into first downs, and I've never seen anybody run back an interception so slowly. He only weighs 25 pounds more than I do, and 50 pounds LESS than Alge Crumpler, who caught him from behind so easily it was laughable. I love you, but that was poorly done, Mr. Harris.
The Jets had a tough time running up the middle all day. And yet, when the time came to burn the clock, they ran the ball up the middle three times in a row for two yards. At least try some kind of misdirection to try to get a first down. The object is to keep the ball out of Tom Brady's hands, not be satisfied with taking two minutes off the clock and handing it back to him.
Let's take a look at these bonehead plays:
Jets first possession, 4th and 5 from the NEW ENGLAND 43 yard line. Yep, out trots the punting unit. You are in the Patriots' house. You lost to them by 42 points six weeks ago, and you're in opponent territory! Why are you punting! Sure enough, Weatherford, who had an awful game in Indianapolis "booms" a 27 yard punt that's fair-caught at the 16 yard line. Well done.
Jets first drive of the second quarter, 4th and 6 from the NEW ENGLAND 45 yard line. Yep, out trots the punting unit. You can't win a game like this by playing 'fraidy-cat football. You need to take it right at the Patriots. Show them you're not scared! Weatherford "booms" his longest gross yardage punt of the day, right into the endzone. Net punt of 25 yards.
Jets ball, 4:05 left in the first half. Jets have 4th and 1 from the NEW ENGLAND 41 yard line. Yep, out trots the punting unit. You don't trust your guys to get you one single, solitary yard? The Jets are the best power-rushing team in the NFL, and you don't have any faith whatsoever in your offensive line and your two tailbacks? Weatherford "booms" a 41 yard punt into the endzone for a touchback. Net punt of 21 yards.
Jets second drive of the second half, 4th and 6 from the NEW ENGLAND 38 yard line. The 38 yard line! Yep, out trots the punting unit. What do you think is going to happen? Steve Weatherford hasn't kicked a decent punt in a month, and you want him to pin the Patriots. GO FOR IT, YOU FREAKIN' MORONS! Weatherford "booms" an 18 yard punt that goes out of bounds. Might as well kick it into the endzone.
That's four punts from New England Territory, none of which gave the Patriots worse field position than their own 16 yard line. That's inexcusable play-calling and unforgivable punting. Rex and Mike Westoff need to seriously reconsider how they want to deal with 4th downs next week.
That's enough for now, back to watching hours of highlights before the baby comes. What a terrific week it should be!
