Weekly Jets Blog Week 6

Another horrible performance by Mark Sanchez coupled with a lot of undisciplined play led to another loss for the Jets. They fell 16-13 in overtime to the now 2-4 Bills in one of the worst games you could possibly imagine. Sanchez struggled in the cold weather, throwing 5 interceptions, not even all of the Jet’s 6 total picks due to a failed field goal attempt that led to another pathetic throw going right to the hands of a Bill. The Jets played the most undisciplined game you could fathom, and it cost them dearly.
The Jets finished with 14 penalties for 96 yards. Yes, 96 yards, a total just 23 yards shy of Sanchez’ total passing yards for the game. His horrible day was also reflected by his ridiculously low QB rating of 8.3. Just to show you how absolutely horrendous that statistic is, let’s compare it to the QB of the division rival Patriots, Tom Brady. He led his team to a 59-0 win over now 0-6 Tennessee by throwing for 380 yards and 6 touchdowns for a QB rating of 152.8. The most important factor when comparing Brady to Sanchez is the fact that Brady didn’t throw a single pick to Sanchez’ 5. Not surprisingly, Brady’s Pats are now in first place over the reeling Jets, who have lost 3 straight.
Injuries are starting to plague the Jets as well. Missing star wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery has hurt the play of Braylon Edwards, who gets the whole focus of the secondary on him. The Jets also lost 360-pound nose tackle Kris Jenkins and offensive tackle Damien Woody to knee injuries.
Like the past two weeks, Jets’ fans will point out the positives in an attempt to defend their team’s poor showing. Thomas Jones set a franchise record by rushing for 210 yards, including a career high rush of 71 yards for Jones that was the Jets only touchdown of the game. Kicker Jay Feely set the franchise record for consecutive field goals made by getting to 24 before missing one from 45 yards out that he was rushed on. David Harris was a huge defensive factor the Jets once again, recording a game-high 17 tackles.
The Jets were given countless chances to win the game, but they could never take advantage of their amazing luck. After Buffalo kicker Ryan Lindell missed a game-winning field goal as time expired, the Jets won the coin toss and got the ball first in OT with the score tied at 13-13. On the opening return in OT, Leon Washington got it out to the 30-yard line, but a stupid penalty against James Ihedigbo for throwing a punch cost the Jets 15 yards. Sanchez and the Jets seemed to be on their way to victory after a 22-yard pass to Edwards and a 33-yard by Washington put the Jets well within field goal range in this sudden-death overtime. But a foolish holding penalty pushed the Jets back just out of field goal position, and Sanchez threw another interception to end the drive. After both teams went 3-and-out, the Jets got a huge break when Dwight Lowry picked off Ryan Fitzpatrick at around midfield. Nevertheless, after just two plays, Sanchez threw another lethal interception. Buffalo took advantage, setting Lindell up for another game-winning kick, a 47-yarder that just squeaked inside the right upright, sealing the ugly upset. You can’t put all of the blame on Sanchez though. All 3 Jets’ drives in overtime began with a penalty against the Jets.
At 3-3, the Jets will have to wake up and realize that the playoffs aren’t just going to come to them. They will have to earn it. But if they can’t beat the teams at the bottom of their division, what do they expect to do later on when they face New England and Indianapolis on the road when those opponents have a combined 6-0 record at home. What about their home game with Cincinnati, who is 3-0 on the road. If the Jets can’t step up big and beat the worse teams in the league, not only will they miss the playoffs, but the will be one of those cellar squads when everything is said and done. The Jets have a good opportunity to turn things around next week against 2-4 Oakland, a team that will be riding high after upsetting the Eagles. Sanchez has the qualities to be a great quarterback, and if the Jets can get healthy and play disciplined football, he could have a chance to the next rookie sensation to led his team to the playoffs.