Jets Lose Another One Pa Rum Pum Pum Pum

The New York Jets dropped their 8th game in their last 10 contests today to the San Diego Chargers. The loss leaves the Jets with a 5-10 record and rising in the NFL draft standings. Let’s take a look at what went right and what went wrong, who was naughty and who was nice. In honor of the holiday we’ll be handing out oranges or lumps of coal, as in the days of yore.

Coal

Bryce Petty. The Jets backup quarterback earned an entire railcar load of coal in his stocking. He took unnecessary sacks. He threw the ball too high, too wide, too long, too short, anything but just right. Petty was a complete disaster, and nearly single handedly snatched defeat from the jaws of victory today. Heading into the off season it does not look like Bryce Petty will have a place on the roster next year. If he does, something will have gone very, very wrong.

Jamal Adams. Adams was repeatedly victimized on the Chargers’ first touchdown drive, missing tackles on running plays and giving up completions in the passing game, culminating in Antonio Gates’ TD catch against Adams. On the day Chargers tight ends combined for 8 catches on 10 targets, 107 yards and a touchdown, and much of that damage came with Adams in coverage. Adams has struggled covering tight ends all year, but this performance against a 100 year old Gates and Sean McGrath, who exceeded his entire production for the rest of the season today, was not a good look for the 1st round draft pick. Adams also failed to corral an interception when he had it in his grasp. It would have been a difficult catch, but the 6th overall pick has to come up with some plays when they are there for the taking. So far he has struggled to do so. A large lump of coal in Adams’ stocking.

Buster Skrine. Skrine was the other main culprit in the Chargers’ first touchdown drive. He missed a tackle on a 9 yard run, was beaten badly by Gates, then was called for pass interference in the end zone, setting up the touchdown catch by Gates. A lump of coal for Skrine.

Darron Lee. Lee once again looked lost in coverage, getting burned repeatedly. A lump of coal for Lee.

Matt Forte. Forte was limited to 19 yards on 8 carries, and lost a crucial fumble when the Jets were driving for a likely score. A lump of coal for Forte.

Oranges

Bilal Powell. Powell was brilliant, rushing for 145 yards on 19 carries and a touchdown. Powell was the only thing standing between the Jets and a humiliating shutout. Powell gets multiple oranges in his stocking.

Jonotthan Harrison. Harrison started in place of the struggling Wesley Johnson and did a decent job. He looked like an upgrade over Johnson, and he made one outstanding play blocking deep down the field ahead of Bilal Powell’s touchdown run. An orange for Harrison.

Austin Seferian-Jenkins. ASJ had a quiet stat line, recording 4 catches for just 21 yards. However, Bryce Petty missed a wide open ASJ badly on multiple occasions. This could have and should have been a big day for ASJ, if Petty had been remotely competent. ASJ also seemed to have a solid day blocking. An orange for ASJ.

Lachlan Edwards. Edwards was outstanding punting the ball, averaging 46.8 yards per punt and dropping five punts inside the 20 yard line, including one perfect 49 yard punt that was downed at the one yard line. An orange for Edwards.

Chandler Catanzaro. Catanzaro had little to do on the day, attempting zero kicks and just one kickoff. That one was, however, a perfect onsides kick that caught the Chargers napping and gave the Jets immediate great field position. Unfortunately the Jets promptly squandered the opportunity. Nonetheless, an orange for Catanzaro.

Josh Martin. Martin did a nice job getting pressure on the quarterback, getting multiple hits on Rivers. An orange for Martin.

Steve McLendon. McLendon did his usual yeoman’s work in the trenches, playing a large role in shutting down the Chargers’ run game in the first half. An orange for McLendon.

The Jets now have just one game remaining on the 2017 schedule, a date in Foxboro against the reigning Super Bowl champions. An unlikely upset might just knock the Patriots out of the number one seed in the AFC playoffs, or even completely out of a first round bye. A much more likely loss will help the Jets draft position. Either way there will be something to cheer about on New Year’s Eve.

On a personal note, on behalf of the entire Gang Green Nation staff I’d like to take this opportunity to wish all of you the merriest of holiday seasons and all the best life has to offer in the New Year. You are what makes this site special, and we try our best to continue to earn your eyeballs as we bring you what we like to think of as the best Jets site on the interwebs.