NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

New York Jets: Midseason report card for 2017 season

By Stephen Smith

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 02: Inside linebacker Demario Davis #56 of the New York Jets celebrates alongside teammate strong safety Jamal Adams #33 against the Buffalo Bills during the third quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium on November 2, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 02: Inside linebacker Demario Davis #56 of the New York Jets celebrates alongside teammate strong safety Jamal Adams #33 against the Buffalo Bills during the third quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium on November 2, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – NOVEMBER 02: Josh McCown #15 of the New York Jets looks on in the final minutes of the game against the Buffalo Bills during their game at MetLife Stadium on November 2, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – NOVEMBER 02: Josh McCown #15 of the New York Jets looks on in the final minutes of the game against the Buffalo Bills during their game at MetLife Stadium on November 2, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

The New York Jets have been one of the surprise teams in the NFL this season. Here we take a look at their midseason report card.

We are a little past the halfway part of the 2017 campaign for the New York Jets. What a season it has been. The Jets are soaring high following their 34-21 trouncing of the Buffalo Bills last Thursday night at MetLife Stadium. No one expected New York to own a 4-5 ledger at this point of the season. Many pundits thought the Jets would win only two or three games this season. They have certainly been one of the surprise teams in the NFL.

As Gang Green gears up for their game in Tampa Bay this coming Sunday, it’s time to post some midseason grades for coach Todd Bowles and his gritty Jets. Let’s take a look:

Offense

I’ll admit it. I was wrong. I never thought Josh McCown would be this good. In all honesty though, neither did anyone else. The 38-year old quarterback has been everything the Jets could have asked for and so much more. McCown has already tied his career high in touchdown passes (13) and owns a 70.4 completion percentage, the second best figure in the league. He’s also rushed for 70 yards and has scored three touchdowns.

More than anything, the 13-year veteran has been a real leader on the field. He had that one hiccup against Miami in Week Eight when he threw a terrible interception late in the game but aside from that he has been like the Rock of Gibraltar this season. There is no way Gang Green would be a surprising 4-5 without McCown’s steady, though not spectacular, performance. He has been a real home run for New York, to coin a baseball phrase.

The Jets are averaging 21.2 PPG which is much better than I expected at the start of the season. Their rushing attack has been very inconsistent but they did pound Buffalo for 194 yards last Thursday, their second best figure of the year. Bilal Powell (390 yards, two touchdowns) and Matt Forte (241 yards, two touchdowns) ran hard against the Bills but they have to keep it going to set up play-action for McCown.

Robby Anderson has used his outstanding speed and quickness to pace all wide receivers with 483 yards on 31 receptions (15.6) and four touchdowns. Those four scoress tie him with Jermaine Kearse (31-380) for the club lead. The Kearse trade for Sheldon Richardson has been an excellent one for New York because Kearse provides McCown with a dependable third down target that can keep the chains moving.

The biggest positive is that Gang Green is actually using their tight end again. Offensive coordinator John Morton loves to use the tight end in his game plan and Austin Seferian-Jenkins has come through with flying colors. ASJ leads the Jets with 33 receptions and has three red zone scores. He’s averaging just 6.7 yards per catch but that will improve. As I wrote recently, ASJ will be named to the AFC Pro Bowl this season.

Grade: C+

Home/New York Jets