New York Jets: Report card grades vs. Dolphins in Week 9

The New York Jets slipped to 1-7 on the season with an embarrassing 26-18 setback to the Miami Dolphins Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium. Here is Gang Green’s report card.

The New York Jets have hit another low. Again. Their 26-18 loss to the previously winless Miami Dolphins on Sunday afternoon in Week 9 proved that.

Gang Green has not been this bad since 1996, the hapless Rick Kotite-led season when the green and white finished 1-15. There have to be serious discussions about whether head coach Adam Gase should be fired. His team seemed to give up Sunday. There was no fire, not even from Jamal Adams — no passion.

Anyway, here is another brutal report card for Gang Green.

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Offense

Although his final numbers (27-of-39, 260 yards, one touchdown, one interception) looked decent, Sam Darnold continues to regress. Once again, the USC product made a bonehead play — his ninth turnover in his last three contests — when he threw the ball up for grabs down near the goal line just before halftime.

Under heavy pressure from linebacker Raekwon McMillian, Darnold rolled left and instead of just taking the sack, tossed the ball up for grabs. It was intercepted by Miami’s Jomal Wiltz, Darnold’s fifth red zone interception since 2018, which leads the NFL.

Darnold was sacked three more times behind the worst offensive line in the league. Le’Veon Bell had 25 touches (finally) and parlayed that into 121 yards from scrimmage. The offensive line is still not opening holes for the talented Bell though. Robby Anderson caught just two passes for 33 yards and was simply not a factor. Jamison Crowder was effective with a team-high eight receptions, mostly on quick slants, for 83 yards and a touchdown.

Grade: D

Defense

The Jets made old man Ryan Fitzpatrick, the wily veteran, look like a cross between Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers. The former Gang Green signal-caller tossed three touchdown passes and compiled 288 yards through the air. Preston Williams, a rookie from Colorado State, burned the Jets with a pair of touchdown receptions while former Penn State star, tight end Mike Gesicki, chipped in with a game-high 95 yards on six catches.

Fitzpatrick was sacked four times but two of those came after the game was already decided. As bad as New York’s offense is going presently, the Jets have to create turnovers to win and they did not turn the Fish over once. Remember, this was a winless Miami squad coming in. Totally unacceptable.

The Jets also allowed the Dolphins to convent 6-of-12 third-down opportunities as well. Also unacceptable.

Grade: F

Special Teams

Sam Ficken missed a 49-yard field goal wide right late in the first quarter that would have given the Jets a 10-0 lead. He later connected on three field goals, including a career-long 52 yarder.

Vyncint Smith almost broke a kickoff return for a touchdown, galloping 78 yards down the right side. This kid is a burner with a lot of potential. Punter Lac Edwards averaged 44 yards on four boots, including one inside the 20. Not a bad overall effort from this unit.

Grade: B