Grading the Jets’ 28-27 loss to the Colts on Sunday.
Offense
The Jets ended up putting together some decent numbers and five scoring drives, but their start was abysmal. They did not have a first down on their first five possessions and managed just nine yards on nine plays in the first quarter.
QB Aaron Rodgers (22-for-29, 184 yards, 2 TDs, 114.7 QB rating) did not play well. He could not find a way to push the ball down the field again and looked completely off in the first half. RB Breece Hall (16 rushes, 78 yards, 1 TD, 7 receptions, 43 yards, 1 TD) had a strong game.
Grade: C-
Defense
This group collapsed in the final two minutes and gave the Colts the victory. They gave up two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, unable to come up with a stop when the team desperately needed one.
Safety Jalen Mills seemed to blow his assignment on a huge 39-yard completion from QB Anthony Richardson (20-for-30, 272 yards, 1 TD, 106.5 QB rating, 10 rushes, 32 yards, 2 TDs) to Alec Pierce on the game-winning drive for the Colts.
The Jets gave up two more rushing touchdowns to a quarterback. On the plus side, they forced a turnover early in the second half and tackled much better than they did in Arizona.
Grade: D
Special Teams
New kicker Anders Carlson hit two field goals, including one from 58 yards, easing concerns over the uncertainty at kicker. Punter Thomas Morstead averaged 55.4 yards per punt on five punts.
The Jets got very little from the return game again and get marked down for no major impact plays on special teams.
Grade: C+
Coaching
The Jets are not a well-coached team. That much is clear. Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich made some questionable decisions down the stretch of this game, burning a timeout before kicking the last field goal and not going for two points up seven.
Beyond that, this team just looks sloppy at the most inopportune times. Offensive play-caller Todd Downing had a good mix of run and pass but going five possessions without a first down to start the game is inexplicable.
Grade: F
