New York Jets Lose in Houston, Playoff Hopes Diminish
The New York Jets are more talented than the Houston Texans, but that didn’t stop the Texans from winning the game and sending the Jets further behind in the wild card race.
Earlier in the week, we said that the New York Jets would destroy the Houston Texans. Well, we didn’t account for a game like that. When they have an inconsistent effort like they did in Houston on Sunday, the New York Jets will not win again.
24. 10. 17. 30. Final
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First, we must talk about Darrelle Revis. He is still a great football player, but he is not what he used to be. DeAndre Hopkins made him look bad, especially in the first half, and finished the game with five catches for 118 yards and two touchdowns. On the 61 yard touchdown pass from T.J. Yates, Hopkins blew by Revis. Can Darrelle still get it done at a high level? Absolutely. But he is just not the same player the New York Jets and their fans remember from the first time around.
Nov 22, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver
Nate Washington(85) is tackled by New York Jets cornerback
Antonio Cromartie(31) after the catch during the second half of a game at NRG Stadium. Houston won 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports
The same can be said for Antonio Cromartie, and I was a big advocate of the signing, more than the Revis signing. The more we watch Cromartie play, it becomes evident that he has slowed down. This is not all happening because of a thigh injury. He just can’t make plays like he used to. Cromartie used to be able to make up for mistakes in coverage with unique athleticism. No more. He is a step behind, can’t catch up, and many of the New York Jets’ fan base believe he should be benched.
“Alcrotraz” certainly isn’t the same maximum security prison that it once was.
Ryan Fitzpatrick can’t make the throws and catch them. He needs to get some help from his friends, and on Sunday, there were problems in that area. There were too many dropped passes. First of all, Brandon Marshall had another huge drop. He did post a touchdown today for the Jets, but he has been good for nearly one drop per week. On the season, he has dropped eight passes over the ten games.
Nov 22, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; New York Jets wide receiver
Devin Smith(19) can
Devin Smith was selected by the New York Jets to make the big play. He averaged over 28 yards per catch last season for Ohio State. He averaged over 20 yards per catch during his college career to go along with 30 touchdowns out of 121 receptions. He ran a blazing 4.42 forty yard dash at the NFL combine. His job was to make the big play.
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Sunday afternoon, Ryan Fitzpatrick put a deep ball right in his hands, inside the ten yard line. Smith couldn’t pull it in after getting his hands on it. He short-armed the throw instead of getting full extension, and was unable to secure the catch. In college, he made those types of catches routinely. If he makes that catch, the momentum shifts to the Jets’ hands. It’s too early to call him a “bust”, but Devin Smith needs to get it together quickly.
Fitzpatrick did play a good game today, although the stats weren’t flashy at 19-39 for 216 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He made a lot of good throws, ones that his receivers should have caught. The Smith throw and the Marshall throw were two examples. The interceptions were late, when he was trying to bring the team back. Andre Hal made a great play on the one that sealed the game. When your team is down by one score, it is not surprising when the quarterback forces a pass to make a play.
The only problem is that the “Fitzmagic” needs to learn how to protect himself. Despite the torn ligaments in his thumb, he refuses to slide. He put himself into the line of fire when he does it, including when he scored the touchdown and nearly had his head taken off. Thankfully he didn’t have to leave the game with a concussion, but he needs to learn this concept. New York Jets’ fans do not want to see Geno Smith start again.
The New York Jets should never have let the game get that close. The fundamentals, such as catching the football, just weren’t there.
Nov 22, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans running back
Jonathan Grimes(41) is tackled by New York Jets inside linebacker
Demario Davis(56) during the first quarter of a game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports
Demario Davis needs to ride the bench for a while. Yes, he is a stout run defender. But he is lost when he drops back into pass coverage. Lost. On the go-ahead touchdown pass to Alfred Blue in the third quarter, Demario Davis seemed to have no idea where to go. Blue had an easy time getting past Davis, and could have made catches all day against the New York Jets’ linebackers. It’s a matchup that opponents should be able to continue to exploit the rest of the year.
It might be time to give Erin Henderson a chance at the middle linebacker spot.
With the loss, the Jets fall to 5-5, and are in a real dog fight to get back into the playoffs. They host the Miami Dolphins next week in a huge divisional matchup.