Jets Eat Up Jaguars

The Jets were starting the season with their second straight home game coming off a dramatic win against the Cowboys.

There were high hopes for this game as the Jets were ticked off by some of the comments the Jaguars had made as well as wanted to seek revenge from the heartbreaking loss in 2009 as time expired.

And the Jets responded by thumping Jacksonville by a score of 32-3. It was hard to really determine if the Jets played well or were just playing a horrible team, or both. But, with New England in the same division and the Jets desperate to win the division and host a playoff game, you can really only afford 2 or 3 losses all year so I’m glad we were able to avoid that first loss.

The offense was pissed to start the game and wanted to end the 16 game drought of not scoring a first quarter offensive touchdown. This came after a rarity, the Jets taking the ball after winning the opening game coin toss, and walked down the field to score a touchdown when Sanchez hit Santoino Holmes in the endzone for an early 7-0 lead. Sanchez looked okay going 17 for 24, 2 TDs, but had two bad interceptions. I’m not putting 100% blame on Sanchez. The running game was horrible again for the second week in a row. Actually, it was just bad this week. Last week it was horrible. The offensive line is not making any holes for the running game and we were constantly in 2nd and long all game. So, when you can’t run; you have no choice but to throw the ball. We need to figure out how to get better holes for the running game to balance the offense and confuse their defense. When you are in 2nd and long and 3rd and long all game, the defense knows that you have to throw the ball. Thus, some balls, that you normally wouldn’t’ throw gets forced, thus, resulting in an interception. The pass protection was a bit better than last week but this team needs to improve vastly on its run blocking schemes. Dustin Keller had a great day hauling in six catches for 101 yards. Shonn Greene led our running back with 49 yards on the ground. One thing that bothered me was having Sanchez play in garbage time to try and get Plaxico a catch. It this worth risking losing your star quarterback to injury?

The Defense did their job most of the day holding Jones-Drew to under 100 yards and just three points all day coming on a long field goal. Did they really play well? I’m not sure based on the performance of their quarterback, Luke McCown. The Jets put pressure on their QB early and Muhammed Wilkerson notched his first sack for a safety in the 1st quarter. Luke McCown had a rough day. He throw four interceptions, two to Cromartie, one to Eric Smith, and one to Josh Mauga. McCown completed only 6 passes all day and finished the day with a quarterback rating of 1.8. The Jets secondary was blanketing their receivers and we were putting some nice pressure on the quarterback which helped cause the turnovers.

After the game, my one big concern was the loss of Nick Mangold who left the game in the first quarter with an ankle injury. Our running game is already is not making the holes so let’s hope Mangold’s injury is not severe and that he’s back on the field this week. Penalities were an issue as well. Last week the Jets had zero penalities. This week they were called for seven. I believe Wayne Hunter was the cause of two of them but he did improve a bit over week #1.

All in all, you can’t really complain. We’ve played two home games and have won both. Last year, our home record was 5-3 so this was an area to improve so coming out of the gate with two wins helps.

The team now goes on a 3 game road trip where the last few years, they’ve played better on the road than at home. The big test is after Oakland when it’s the Ravens and then Patriots. The Jets can’t worry about that now and must travel to Oakland and finish business there. Historically, things don’t go well in Oakland.

With a short training camp and no OTAs, there is some rust still on this team but the 2-0 start helps. Let’s hope the rust starts coming off and the improvement of this team continues as we embark on this extra long road trip.

As for the Raiders, Bart Scott would probably said, “Can’t Wait!”

NOTES:
1. Wilkerson's sack and safety made him the first rookie in the NFL to get his first of each on the same play since Ravens LB Jameel McClain did it Oct. 26, 2008, against Oakland. Ryan was the Ravens' defensive coordinator at the time.
2. McCown's 1.8 rating was the lowest ever by a quarterback against the Jets.
3. The Jets improved to 5-1 while wearing their navy New York Titans throwback jerseys, and are 2-0 for the second time in three years under Ryan.