Rex's Mess

Jets-Seahawks

For the first two plus seasons in New York, the Jets brought a different type of team that Jets fans could get behind. Rex's braggadocio and swagger, along with a swarming defense, and a ground and pound offense, Gang Green took the town by storm. There were goddamn snacks on Hard Knocks, they weren't "kissing rings", and they wanted to "no longer be the little brother" in New York. Little by little, Rex and Tannebaum made this team weaker, and now we are what they tried to dispute at the beginning of the season, they are a circus.

At 3-6, the New York Jets are now an irrelevant football team, just playing out the string of their schedule, and possibly hoping to get a high draft picks. I don't want to hear Rex say he still believes in Sanchez, I don't want to hear Antonio Cromartie say we're a playoff team, and I sure as hell don't want to hear Mark Sanchez say he is still confident, because he hasn't shown any confidence on the football field all season. 

I feel like I'm writing the same blog every week now with this team, and I'm sick of it. Fact of the matter is we are not a good football team. Our offense is the worst in the league, and could be one of the worst in Jets history (where is Browning Nagle and Bubby Brister when you need them?). The best thing for both parties now is for the Jets to divorce Mark Sanchez. He won't be able to succeed for this franchise anymore, and in part we can't win games with him either. I don't love Tim Tebow either, but at this point there is no harm in letting him play out the last 7 games of the season, and going into next year with an entirely different quarterback.

Report Card

Offense

F-

50 plays, 11 first downs, 185 total yards, 0 points scored. That is what the Jets offense did on Sunday, and it is inexcusable. We only had three drives of over 30 yards and all of them ended in turnovers (on downs, interception, and a fumble). The Jets offense has scored 9 points in their last 8 quarters.

Mark Sanchez finished 9-22 for 124 yards with an interception and a fumble. This is the fifth game this season that Sanchez had a completion percentage under 50%. Mark's completion percentage of 52% is lowest in the NFL, and his quarterback rating of 70.4 puts him 30th (ahead of Brandon Weeden, Matt Cassel, and John Skelton). Sanchez is still making the dumb mistakes that cost this team wins. His interception in the red zone (his fourth of the season inside the opponents' 20) killed momentum while the game was still tied. Then, down 14 in the fourth quarter, Sanchez fumbled trying to make a plays instead of just taking the sack, and pretty much took the Jets out of the game. Before these past few games, Sanchez was trying to lead a team with bad offensive talent, now it looks like he has given up.

Jeremy Kerley continues to be a solid pass catching target, catching 5 ball for 57 yards (including a 43 yarder). Dustin Keller played poorly, and the interception could have been avoided if he made a better play for the ball. Tim Tebow played well when given an opportunity, going 3/3 in the air, and adding 14 yards on the ground.

Defense

B+

The D came to play, but in the end they were just on the field way too long. They sacked Russell Wilson four times (Scott, DeVito, Lankster, Harris/Thomas), and scored the only Jet points of the day on a 21 yard fumble return by Muhammad Wilkerson.

Special Teams

C

Jeremy Kerley muffed a punt in the second quarter that led to Seattle's go ahead score. Other than that nothing good or bad happened on special teams.

What's Next?

The Jets travel to St. Louis to face a Rams team that is coming off a tie with one of the best teams in the NFC. The Rams play the NFC West style that has given Gang Green nightmares this season.

Around the AFC

In a battle of the two of the top teams in the NFL, the Texans won a sloppy game against the Bears. There was a total of six turnovers, but the difference maker was when Jay Cutler got a concussion on the Bears last drive before the half, knocking him out of the game.... Three interceptions by Ryan Tannehill and 126 yards on the ground for Chris Johnson was the key for the Titans upset of the Dolphins. Couple that with another Colts win Thursday night in Jacksonville, and the 'Phins season is pretty much over..... The Patriots improve to 11-0 in Gillette Stadium against the Bills. After being down 14 in the third quarter, Buffalo almost came back to win, but Ryan Fitzpatrick threw an interception in the end zone with seconds left in the fourth quarter.... The Ravens won in a laugher over the Raiders. Joe Flacco threw for 341 yards, and had 4 scores (1 rushing). The Ravens didn't make any friends by faking a field goal when they were already up 27 points..... The Broncos took care of business in Carolina. Peyton Manning had another 300-yard performance and is looking like the better Manning brother again.....  The Chargers kept things close against the Bucs before a Phillip Rivers pick 6 turned the tides in the fourth quarter. San Diego is facing a must-win game next Sunday in Denver if they want any chance to win the division.

Around the NFC

The Saints handed the Falcons there first loss of the season in a thrilling game in New Orleans. The home team needed a goal line stand up four with under 2 minutes left, stuffing Michael Turner on 3rd down and an incomplete pass Roddy White on fourth down. Two of the best offenses in the NFL didn't disappoint, with both teams combining for just under 900 yards and 58 points..... The Cowboys handed the Eagles their fifth straight loss (the first time under Andy Reid) and knocked Michael Vick out of the game in a 38-23 victory. Three Cowboys' touchdowns within a three minute span (passing TD, punt return, interception return) early in the fourth quarter put the game away. Nick Foles (22-32, 219 yards) played well subbing in for Vick aside from one crucial mistake. The loss pretty much ends Philly's season, and you have to wonder if we've seen the end of the Andy Reid era in Philly..... Alex Smith was the third quarterback of the day who was taken out of a game after suffering a concussion, as the 49ers and Rams was the first NFL game to end in a tie since 2008. The 49ers came back from 17-7 in the third quarter, and needed a David Akers field goal as time expired to force overtime. The Rams played the role of underdog to their advantage, faking two punts (including one in their own end zone). St. Louis should have won the game on their first OT possession, but an 80-yard completion to Danny Amendola was called back because of illegal formation, and a questionable delay of game call on their second possession took away a 53-yard field goal from Greg Zuerlein..... Something is up with the Giants as they lose their second straight game to an AFC North opponent. AJ Green backed up his talk early with a 56-yard touchdown catch, and the Bengals never looked back. Eli threw two interceptions and lost a fumble as rumors swirl of a possible tired arm. Coach Coughlin is going to need the bye week to get his team to regroup and get healthy again..... Adrian Peterson rushed for over 100 yards for the fourth-straight game, as the Vikings rolled past the Lions. It is remarkable that AP leads the NFL with 1128 yards, after tearing his ACL last season.