New York Jets: Report Card vs. Panthers in Week 12

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – NOVEMBER 26: Jermaine Kearse #10 completes a three yard touchdown pass from Josh McCown #15 of the New York Jets against Kevon Seymour #27 of the Carolina Panthers in the fourth quarter during their game at MetLife Stadium on November 26, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

The New York Jets dropped a crucial 35-27 decision to the Carolina Panthers in Week 12 at MetLife Stadium. Here is a look at their report card.

The New York Jets had a chance to keep their faint playoff hopes alive Sunday but once again failed to finish the game in a disheartening 35-27 loss to the Carolina Panthers at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. The loss dropped Gang Green to 4-7 and for all intents and purposes snuffed out any realistic hopes of securing an AFC playoff berth.

The Panthers improved to 8-3 with the victory.

New York was done in by a key Josh McCown turnover, a special teams gaffe and more mindless penalties at the wrong time. So what else is new? This has been a disturbing trend all season. The Jets always seem to shoot themselves in the foot. Bad teams do that. Their feel-good season has totally crumbled.

Let’s take a look at their report card in Week 12:

Offense

How good has Robby Anderson been lately? The undrafted free agent from Temple University scored for the fifth straight game with six receptions for 146 yards and two touchdowns. He now has a team-leading seven touchdowns on the season. McCown threw for 307 yards and three touchdowns but made a critical mistake early in the fourth quarter that put the Panthers up for good.

Facing a second-and-11 at their own 45, McCown was about to be sacked but for some reason tried to throw the ball away. The ball was stripped and returned 34 yards for a touchdown by linebacker Luke Kuechly. That gave Carolina a 26-20 lead it would never relinquish. McCown is a veteran and should have known better — he has to hang onto that ball and just take the sack. A huge mistake.

Jermaine Kearse enjoyed his best performance as a Jet with a team-high seven catches for 105 yards and a score. The offensive line allowed three sacks but that was an improvement over the six they gave up in Week 10 vs. Tampa Bay. It was nice to see Matt Forte back on the field but he rambled for just 26 yards on 10 carries. He looks near the end. Gang Green rushed for 101 yards in all, averaging 4.2 yards per carry.

Grade: C+

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