Surprisingly enough, the New York Jets have been able to snag two wins early in the NFL season. Entering this season, the Jets had extremely low expectations, a head to head QB battle, and Rex Ryan on the hot seat. No one knew whether Geno Smith or Mark Sanchez would start until Geno Smith won the competition by default, as Mark Sanchez injured his shoulder in the preseason. Reports were released that Geno Smith looked terrible and out of shape in practice, leading Jets fans to agonize at the start of the season like usual.
Now, through the first few weeks of the season, the Jets have shockingly looked pretty good. It hasn’t been perfect, but this is a solid team, that nearly beat Tom Brady and the Patriots on Thursday Night football in week 2. The AFC East is a very strong division with of course the Patriots, and now recently improved Dolphins. We will have to see how to new look Bills progress throughout the season as well.
Courtesy: Bleacher Report
Beginning with the offense, many people believed the Jets did not have enough offensive weapons surround Geno Smith at the start of the season. This has proven to be somewhat true, as running backs Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell have showed us they can be a strong duo in the back field. Aside from the RBs, the Jets’ wide receivers have been shaky. Santonio Holmes has looked like a shadow of his old self, with his moments here and there. Stephen Hill has been inconsistent with his hands, dropping many passes time and time again. However, he did show he deserves the chance on this team coming up with over 100 yards receiving against the Bills. Jeremy Kerley has been a solid slot receiver and the most consistent, despite sitting out week 2 with a concussion. The Jets’ offensive line has been, for the most part, good. There have been some hits on Geno, but they are partly his fault for lack awareness. Vladimir Ducasse, Nick Mangold, and D’Brickashaw Ferguson have been consistent in handling their men and protecting Geno. As for Geno, we have seen spurts of the QB once considered in the Heisman trophy race, and we have seen spurts of the Geno Smith that lost 5 consecutive games at WVU. Overall, I believe Geno Smith has done a great job in his first few starts. He has had some inaccurate throws and a good amount of interceptions, but he has shown he can be accurate when throwing down field. He has also shown off his athleticism at points scrambling out of the pocket and taking off down field. I think, Geno Smith was definitely the better pick to start, even if Sanchez was healthy and he has proven that.
Moving on to the defense. The Jets defense has been elite this season. Their front line of Sheldon Richardson, Muhammad Wilkerson, and Kenrick Ellis is nasty, especially at the run defense. They have been able to hold every running back they have faced to low yardage including CJ Spiller to 10 rushes for 9 yards. The defensive backs have been solid as well, except for Darrelle Revis’ old position. The Jets have struggled immensely at filling in for Darrelle Revis, as Dee Milliner and Kyle Wilson have barely showed up thus far. We will have to see how Dee Milliner progresses, hoping he can live up to his first round draft pick expectations. Other than that, this Jets defense is going to play a big part in how far this team goes this season.
Projecting the remaining schedule:
@ Tennessee – L
@ Atlanta – L
vs. Pittsburgh – W
vs. New England – W
@ Cincinnati – L
vs. New Orleans – L
@ Buffalo – W
@Baltimore – L
vs. Miami – W
vs. Oakland -W
@ Carolina -W
vs. Cleveland -W
@ Miami – L
So I have the Jets finishing this season 9-7. It could come down to that final game against the Dolphins determining if they make the playoffs or not. Overall, it is a pretty tough schedule and I may be generous with the win over New England, but I always believe they can split against NE. Anyway, a 9-7 season can keep Rex Ryan around another season to see how Geno Smith pans out. If they can develop a number one option receiver, and Geno Smith cuts down on the interceptions this team can possibly squeak into the playoffs as a wild card team.
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I agree , as a jets fan hoping for the best but preparing for the worst another great article joe
joe , I think your interpretation of the offense is accurate and I agree about geno being more positive than negative, I do think he needs more time to develop though overall I agree with your picks and ne is gonna be tough
Great , great column. I agree all the way. I just don’t think Rex will be back next season unless the Jets make , and win at least 1 playoff game. I wasn’t too keen on Geno at first, but I agree he could be the real deal. Just needs a little more experience to avoid some sacks and poor decision throws.. Been waiting 45 years for another Super Bowl, hope this is it……….Go Jets, Jets, Jets
9-7?! Great article Joe but I don’t know if this team will be in the playoff hunt. I don’t trust then to win any game on the road. Their defense will keep them in games but a rookie qb on the road means trouble. The reason the Jets are 2-1 has to do the fact that Rex has kept this mouth shut and let them play. He should be gone after the year doesn’t matter how good his defense is he’s a distraction. A lot of cupcakes on that schedule you’re lucky they don’t play any of the NFC powerhouses like the Pack and niners.
I don’t know. I think their defense should get them a couple Ws as long as Geno calms down with the turnovers. 9-7 may be pushing it but we will see how it goes
Joe, Don’t listen to this Tim Z guy, first of all the Pack is no powerhouse anymore, and the 49ers are not that good either. You stink Tim Z…Jets will be ok on the road. Geno is getting better and more comfortable every game…..Go Jets, Jets, Jets…………
Hey Joe D…….I don’t know if you’ve been watching football the last couple years but I have two words for you……Aaron Rodgers
Listen Tim Z. I know 2 other words: washed up…..You obviously know nothing about sports…Go Jets Jets Jets