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New York Jets: Report Card vs. Falcons in Week 8

By Stephen Smith

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 29: Wide receiver Robby Anderson #11 of the New York Jets scores a touchdown against cornerback Desmond Trufant #21 of the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium on October 29, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 29: Wide receiver Robby Anderson #11 of the New York Jets scores a touchdown against cornerback Desmond Trufant #21 of the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium on October 29, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – OCTOBER 29: Defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson #96 of the New York Jets celebrates a tackle against running back Tevin Coleman #26 (not pictured) of the Atlanta Falcons with teammate strong safety Jamal Adams #33 during the third quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium on October 29, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – OCTOBER 29: Defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson #96 of the New York Jets celebrates a tackle against running back Tevin Coleman #26 (not pictured) of the Atlanta Falcons with teammate strong safety Jamal Adams #33 during the third quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium on October 29, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

Defense

It has taken a long time but Muhammad Wilkerson is finally starting to look like the Pro Bowl player he was in 2015. The seven-year veteran had his second very active contest in a row, recording New York’s lone sack of the afternoon. He added a couple of quarterback pressures and five tackles, including a couple for loss. If he can continue to perform like his old self again then Gang Green can still compete for a wild card berth.

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The Jets gave up too many rushing yards (140) once again. Matt Ryan (18-of-29, 254 yards, two touchdowns) lost the ball twice on botched snaps but had plenty of time to throw from the pocket in the adverse conditions. Cornerback Morris Claiborne did an excellent job shutting down All-Pro wide receiver Julio Jones until he left the game in the second half with a foot injury. New York was already without Buster Skrine (concussion) so soon after Claiborne exited Jones beat cornerback Darryl Roberts on a go-pattern down the middle of the field for 54 yards. Jones had just three receptions for 74 yards and no touchdowns so the Jets did a solid job there overall.

Atlanta’s high-powered offense gained 386 yards from scrimmage but the Falcons still don’t resemble the top-ranked offense they were in 2016. Former Rutgers standout Mohamed Sanu (6-74) and tight end Austin Hooper (4-47) caught touchdown passes from Ryan. Hooper should have had another but he dropped one in the end zone. The Jets still have issues covering physical tight ends.

The Jets have to find a way to dial up more pressure on opposing signal-callers. Perhaps a few more blitz packages would help to some degree.

Grade: D+

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