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

Coaching

Gang Green played with grit and intensity but they did not play smart football. They haven’t all year. Why did offensive coordinator John Morton call for three consecutive pass plays on first-and-goal early in the fourth quarter with the Jets trailing 18-17? All three were incomplete, including an apparent touchdown to Austin Seferian-Jenkins that was overturned by replay. Chandler Catanzaro eventually booted a chip shot field goal but it was deflating to come away with only three points in that sequence.

Once again the Jets committed too many penalties (7-68), including several at inopportune times. Only the Seahawks have been flagged for more penalties than New York. There has to be better focus on this team.

Grade: D

Special Teams

Catanzaro connected on a pair of short field goals but New York’s special teams unit was dreadful in a huge spot in the game.

Next: NFL Power Rankings: Saints winning streak finally ends

Trailing 26-20 in the fourth quarter, the Jets did not keep lane containment and allowed Carolina’s Kaelin Clay to gallop 60 yards with a punt for a touchdown to give the Panthers a 32-20 advantage with 9:54 left in the fourth stanza. The Jets sub sequentially drew within 32-27 four minutes later on McCown’s three-yard touchdown pass to Kearse but the punt return was the back-breaker. Due to that scenario, the special teams corps gets a failing grade. It was unacceptable to allow that in such an important game.

Grade: F