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New York Jets: Breaking Down Loss vs Pittsburgh Steelers

By Alan Schechter

Oct 9, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) runs the ball between New York Jets cornerback Marcus Williams (20) and linebacker Darron Lee (50) during the second half of their game at Heinz Field. The Steelers won, 31-13. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) runs the ball between New York Jets cornerback Marcus Williams (20) and linebacker Darron Lee (50) during the second half of their game at Heinz Field. The Steelers won, 31-13. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Jets had their chances but couldn’t get it done, falling on the road to the Pittsburgh Steelers

The New York Jets were desperate for a win as they headed to Pittsburgh for their Week 5 matchup with the Steelers. They needed to avoid turnovers and finish drives to have any chance of pulling the upset.

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They did one, but not the other, and fell to the Steelers in a game where it never seemed like they had any control. Am I wrong? Was there ever a point where you felt like the men in green were in control of this game? I know I didn’t. It seemed like, even when ahead, they were playing below the Steelers, rather than taking it to them.

Early in the game, the Jets had their shots. They got the ball first, went right down the field, but the drive stalled so they settled for a Nick Folk field goal. Against any offense in the league, but especially against the Pittsburgh offense, you have to score touchdowns. The Jets didn’t, and then on the ensuing drive the Steelers scored on the weekly bomb that New York gives up. This time it was a 72-yard strike to Sammie Coates and the Steelers went ahead.

The only other time the Jets went ahead was late in the first half on this pretty touchdown from Ryan Fitzpatrick to Brandon Marshall:

If the defense could have closed out the half it may have been a different game. But when the chips were down, the Jets couldn’t get a stop. The “vaunted” defense couldn’t lay a finger on Ben Roethlisberger as he led a march down the field for a touchdown in just 1:25.

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Even with that, the Jets still had the chance to change the momentum and take this game over in the second half. Down one, the Steelers punted the ball back to them after the first drive that only yielded one first down. What did the Jets do? Go three-and-out. Another field goal for Pittsburgh on the next drive and they never looked back.

It remained close for a while longer, but it never really felt close. It always felt like the Jets had a long road to climb back from, even down just four points. The bottom line? They couldn’t get it done in a game they absolutely had to have.

Is it time to take a good look at this coaching staff? I think it might be, especially on the defensive side of the ball. No, I am not saying we should clean house and fire Todd Bowles, but something isn’t right. The Jets can’t stop a long pass play and they can’t get to the quarterback. These were supposed to be strengths. They are not, nor are they showing signs of getting better. Some of that has to fall on the defensive coaching staff and ultimately Bowles.

And as far as Bowles goes, he made some interesting decisions, didn’t he? A guy that likes his offense didn’t think he could pick up a fourth and two with just over seven minutes to go, down two scores? It was totally shocking to see the punt team coming out there. The defense had not been able to stop the Pittsburgh offense. After they gave the ball back they never really had a chance again. Don’t forget that timeout when the clock wasn’t running, by the way.

At least Ryan Fitzpatrick played better. He went 25-of-38 for 255 yards and the one touchdown to Marshall. It was the first game in three weeks he didn’t throw an interception. So that is a step in the right direction for him.

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After the game, coach Bowles said he is not contemplating a change at quarterback, reinforcing the point I made earlier this week. Fitzpatrick is the quarterback of this team, no matter what happens. They will live with him or die with him. Some fans won’t like that, but it’s proving to be exactly the case. This is it, folks.

It doesn’t get any easier next week, as the Jets head to Arizona to face the Cardinals.

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