The Good, The Bad and The Ugly: The New York Jets at Midseason

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Once again it’s been another rollercoaster season for New York Jets fans and we’re only halfway through.

After an electrifying, pulsating start which included a huge scalp in New England, the Jets were surprising everyone as optimism spread like wildfire across the Big Apple.

But as they head into their Week 9 bye, the Jets stand at 4-4 after being 3-0. The team may have peaked too early or the bye may come at a crucial time for Coach Rex Ryan and his squad. Either way, there have already been plenty of ups and downs for the Jets.

The good

- The Jets lead the league in rushing yards with an average of 177.6 yards per game.

It was clear from the outset that the offense would be heavily rush-orientated and running backs Thomas Jones, Leon Washington and rookie Shonn Greene have all contributed.

The Jets have run the ball more than any other team so it is encouraging that it is proving effective. Statistics can sometimes only tell you so much but it is heartening to know that the Jets are also tied first for rushing touchdowns with 12 scores so far.

- Rex Ryan has clearly stamped his authority on this defense.

Only Denver has allowed less yards and the Jets’ D has the mean, aggressive, stingy streak that many thought they would have. Sacks may have been a problem early on, but in the last two games they have begun to get to the quarterback.

Cornerback Darrelle Revis is maturing into a defensive linchpin in the team and if he continues in this rich vein of form, the Pro Bowl surely beckons again.

- The week five acquisition of Braylon Edwards seems to have been an astute one.

He has already produced some outstanding catches and his chemistry with quarterback Mark Sanchez will be important for this team’s future success. Edwards seems to be loving life in New York and his rejuvenated attitude is paying dividends on the field, too, where he has looked a completely different player than the man he used to be in Cleveland.

- The only side that has comprehensively beaten this team is the 7-0 New Orleans Saints.

In that game, the explosive Drew Brees was kept to less than 200 yards and the Saints didn’t tie this one up until late in the fourth quarter. Had Sanchez not thrown three interceptions, the Jets may well have been looking at 4-0 and a very different attitude coming into this bye week.

The bad

- Starting 1-3 against divisional opponents with the defeats coming against back-up quarterbacks.

Chad Henne started both games for the Dolphins in the absence of former Jet Chad Pennington and Ryan Fitzpatrick was substituted in for Trent Edwards early in the Buffalo game.

The Jets fumed that they made Henne look like Dan Marino in the original match-up but they contained him superbly in the return fixture. Fitzpatrick did nothing of any great note against the Jets but he didn’t turn the ball over which in the end, was the difference.

- Miami doing a sweep over the Jets was certainly not in the script

Both games, particularly the home fixture, could quite easily have gone New York’s way. The games were lost for different reasons. The Wildcat ran wild in Florida whereas back in New York, Ted Ginn Jr’s electrifying pace accounted for two scores. Come Week 17, the Jets may well rue these missed chances.

- In different games, different elements of the team have failed to step up.

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