New York Jets: Studs and duds Week 5 vs. Arizona Cardinals

The New York Jets slip to their fifth loss on the year to the Arizona Cardinals.

The New York Jets drop to 0-5, after losing by 20 to the Cardinals at the MetLife. For the first time in their entire history. Pressure is mounting on Adam Gase and the New York Jets. It was another lackluster performance, with Joe Flacco filling in for starter Sam Darnold after his shoulder injury. There a couple of positives for the Jets, but also many, many negatives which are a pressing concern

Stud: Jamison Crowder

Jamison Crowder was a huge positive for the Jets throughout the came, he seemed to be the only receiver who could gain separation throughout the game. He was able to grab the Jets’ only touchdown of the game, despite a shirt pull.

His footwork was great as well as being able to reach the first down marker on crucial occasions, which was rare considering how poor New York was at converting them. Crowder was targeted 10 times and caught 8 of those passes thrown by Flacco, unlike Jeff Smith who was the Jets’ most-targeted receiver with 11 but only pulled in 3 catches.

Crowder was able to acquire New York’s only big gain of the day with a 52-yard catch and run into the Cardinal’s territory before he was able to finish it off with a well-deserved touchdown despite Tight End Chris Herndon’s embarrassing drop the play beforehand. Crowder finished off Week 5 with 8 receptions,116 yards, 1 Touchdown, and was the sole bright spot out there.

Dud: Secondary Coverage

This is an area where Gang Green has been absolutely appalling, countless times throughout the game receivers were in space, and it just looked far too easy for Kyler Murray’s offense. Undrafted free agent Lamar Jackson ended up going up against one of the league’s most talented receivers De’Andre Hopkins, and the results did not end well for the Jets, giving up a 37-yard touchdown pass soon after.

Bradley McDougald also suffered from Hopkins’ ability and gave up a holding penalty to give Arizona a fresh set of downs in the red zone, another extremely frustrating moment throughout the afternoon. Lamar Jackson and Bradley McDougald both finished the afternoon with grades of lower than 53 per PFF — however, slot corner Brian Poole finished with a grade of 74.5 for his pass deflections and his better competency.

It seemed as if every 3rd and long Kyler Murray, would have no pressure incoming, could smoothly throw to a wide-open receiver to get another first. The Jets will need to work on this position group because quite frankly it is letting them down this season.