Jets QB Controversy gets Heated

Jets

I don't believe in "moral victories" in the National Football League, but there's really no other way to describe the Jets performance on Monday night against the Texans. After laying down against the 49ers last week, Rex's Gang Green was called into question for a lack of heart. I think this team showed a lot of heart, but in the end Houston was just too good for this team. Let's get on to the grades. 

Offense

C

Tony Sparano's offense improved from the whooping that San Francisco gave them, but there is something missing with this offense. It became clear to me, being in the stadium for the first time this season, that Mark Sanchez really is put in a position to fail. From the opening kickoff, the rabid Jets crowd was waiting for a chance to boo Mark. After the first offensive possession they showed a video of the night the Jets drafted Sanchez, and it was led by a chorus of boos. The boo-birds returned every time Tim Tebow left the field and Mark came back in.  

The most maddening thing about Sanchez is that he has flashes of brilliance that make you believe that if he can keep it up he can be a good NFL starting quarterback, but then he follows that with a stupid rookie mistake. The Jets last drive before halftime is a perfect example. Mark was 4-5 for 74 yards, and then he had a pass tipped at the line of the scrimmage that resulted in a pick that the Texans almost returned for a touchdown. That was a six-point swing that could have changed the result of the game. Also, on our second to last drive, Sanchez made the cardinal sin of getting sacked and losing 8 yards setting up 3rd and 18. He then followed that by rushing a play before the 2 minute warning, and passing a ball that went through Cumberland's hands and resulted in his 2nd interception, pretty much icing the game.

I really don't have a good solution for our quarterback situation, and right now it is a huge mess. The franchise has a lot invested in Sanchez, both time and money, and the Mark Sanchez that led us to back-to-back AFC Championship Games still has to be there somewhere. Also, by benching Sanchez and pretty much ending his Jets career it would mean that Mike Tannenbaum and Rex Ryan would admit failure for trading up to take him 5th overall. On the other hand, you have a vocal part of your fan base, who are also the ones that make Woody's wallet fatter, that has grown tired of Sanchez and wants a change. Something is going to have to give soon, and if the Jets offense hasn't improved by the time the bye week rolls along on Week 9, than I fear that Tebow Time is coming.

Back to Monday's game, Sanchez had his fourth straight game with a completion percentage under 50% (14-31) and his third straight game with two turnovers.  Jeremy Kerley had a good game catching 5 balls for 94 yards, and is showing a lot of potential after being thrust into a starting role. The running game failed to get anything going once again, rushing 23 times for 69 (insert Beavis and Butthead laugh here) yards.

The Jets are failing to convert third down conversions, going 4-14. Sparano took a couple chances, and they paid off, going 2-2 on fourth down. This season, the Jets are ranked 27th in the league with a 35.7% red zone touchdown scoring percentage. 

Defense

B

After allowing the Texans to drive 85 yards in 8 plays for a touchdown on the first drive of the game, I thought that we were going to see a drubbing. However, the D turned things around, allowing only three drives of 50+ yards the rest of the game. The Jets gave up a lot of yards on the ground again (169 yards on 35 carries) but that's not terrible against Arian Foster, who is one of the best backs in the league. 

The past few years the defense has been "bend but don't break". They really stepped up forcing the Texans to kick field goals after Sanchez's interception and the failed onsides kick set the Texans up in great field position. Matt Schaub had a forgettable day going 14-28 for 209 a touchdown and a pick. Antonio Cromartie continues to back up his talk that he is the best corner in the league following Revis' injury, holding Andre Johnson to a Revis Island-like 15 yards, and intercepting a pass, (and he even almost caught a pass playing wide receiver). David Harris led the team again with 9 tackles, bringing his season total to 46 (9th in the league).

Special Teams

A-

Mike Westhoff's unit is once again the best thing the Jets have going for them. Joe McKnight returned a kickoff for a touchdown, Tim Tebow snuck a fake punt for a first down, and Rob Mallone had another good day punting. The only blemish on the day was just missing an onsides kick after McKnight's return made it a 6-point game.

Around the AFC

The Patriots looked scary good against Peyton and the Broncos. Their quick strike/no-huddle offense looks almost unstoppable (and they're getting Aaron Hernandez back next week). As much as I hate the guy, Bill Belichick is an offensive genius, and I can officially say that the Pats' slow start is over. Peyton Manning's passes don't look as crisp as they once were, but he still puts his team in position to win games. If it wasn't for Willis McGahee's fumble they might have pulled off the comeback.... The Dolphins upset the Bengals thanks to 3 Bungles turnovers. Andy Dalton is going through the sophomore struggles.... The Steelers came back to beat the Eagles in the Battle of Pennsylvania.  The returning trio of Rashard Mendenhall, Troy Polamalu, and James Harrison must have had something to do with it. But, you can also blame Michael Vick who's favorite dessert must be turnovers, adding two more fumblerooskis to his season total (including one on the goal line). You have to start to wonder how much longer "Dream Team" coach Andy Reid is going to stick with his QB..... In the upset of the weekend, the Colts upset the Packers, coming back from being down 21-3 at halftime. Andrew Luck outshined Aaron Rodgers in this game, playing with a heavy heart after hearing about coach Chuck Pagano's battle with leukemia. 

Around the NFC

The Redskins came thisclose to upsetting the undefeated Falcons. After RG3 took another brutal hit (he is going to have to learn that you can't take those risks in the NFL) that knocked him out of the game in the 3rd quarter, and fellow rookie Kirk Cousins couldn't get the job done, down a TD with 2:46 on the clock. It makes you wonder how the game would have turned out if Griffin stayed healthy. By the way, expect Billy Cundiff to show up on the waiver wire in the next couple of days..... Then there were two. The Rams knocked the Cardinals off of the undefeated column with a dominating defensive performance on Thursday night. It looks like the Fearsome Foursome is back in St. Louis..... The Bears and Vikings helped keep the NFC's dominance over the AFC so far this season with blowout wins against the Jaguars and Titans respectively...... The Saints won their first game of the season on the arm of Drew Brees and Marques Colston, who hooked up for three touchdowns. Brees broke Johnny Unitas' record with 48 straight games with a touchdown pass. That is an incredible feat, but it also shows you where this game is headed offensively..... After a scare early, Eli and the Giants took care of business against the Browns. Victor Cruz busted out the salsa three times, and Ahmad Bradshaw quieted the critics breaking the 200 yard mark. The Browns remain the only winless team in the NFL.