Denver Broncos vs. New York Jets: Full Report Card Grades for New York
The New York Jets looked like a legitimate NFL team on Sunday, as opposed to last week's abysmal showing.
However, the team still dropped its fifth straight game, and it now sits at the bottom of the AFC East with a 1-5 record.
Gang Green confused Peyton Manning early, but the Hall of Fame quarterback eventually figured the defense out and had himself a nice day.
Geno Smith did a good job keeping the team in it, despite a terrible game from his offensive line and a nonexistent running game.
With a trip to Foxborough to face the New England Patriots on Thursday, the Jets' next opponent doesn't get any easier, if at all. Rex Ryan must dig deep and get even more out of his players if this slide is going to end anytime soon.
Click through for complete grades for each of New York's positional units in the tough defeat.
Quarterback
1 of 10
Don't be mistaken: This was one of the finest performances of Geno Smith's young career.
The second-year signal-caller didn't have an amazing day on the stat sheet, completing just 24 of his 43 pass attempts for under 200 yards, two touchdowns and a pick-six.
However, Smith rebounded in a big way, moving the Jets offense downfield despite having zero protection from his offensive line and no help from his rushing attack.
The former second-round pick spread the ball around to his various weapons, and he showed great chemistry with rookie tight end Jace Amaro.
The late interception also wasn't really his fault, as the Jets were at their own 1-yard line with under 30 seconds left, and Smith was just trying to desperately heave it for a big gain.
Smith's gotten a lot of criticism in recent weeks, but this was a very nice showing from the young quarterback.
Grade: B+
Running Back
2 of 10
After a fabulous first month in which the Jets rushing attack ranked first in the NFL in yards, the run offense has dropped off considerably in the last two weeks.
After a subpar showing in San Diego, the rushing game couldn't get anything going throughout Sunday's contest.
Chris Johnson registered just nine yards on three carries, while Chris Ivory managed just seven yards on eight carries.
Geno Smith managed to lead the team in rushing with 11 yards. That's how pitiful the showing was from the rushing attack.
Johnson and Ivory were doomed from the poor blocking of their offensive line, but they still have to find a way to make an impact.
If either of the duo managed to play well, the Jets might have been able to squeeze out the win.
Grade: D+
Wide Receiver/Tight End
3 of 10
Greg Salas and Jace Amaro had some crucial drops, but the receiving corps was mostly solid against a decent Denver Broncos secondary.
Eric Decker, playing less than 100 percent, was terrific, registering six catches for 54 yards and a touchdown despite being matched up with Pro Bowl corner Aqib Talib.
Decker came up with big catches throughout the afternoon, and he made a fantastic one-handed catch at the end of the first half that set up the offense in field-goal range. But it was surprisingly ruled incomplete upon review.
Jace Amaro finally lived up to his potential, catching 10 passes for 68 yards and a touchdown.
The rookie gave Smith a reliable checkdown option and a dangerous threat in the red zone. If Amaro can emerge as a dangerous threat, the passing game may come to life as the season wears along.
However, Jeremy Kerley was once again quiet, and Jeff Cumberland continues to do absolutely nothing. Production from those two would go a long way for the Jets offense.
Grade: B
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Offensive Line
4 of 10
The offensive line couldn't have been much worse on Sunday.
The unit was dominated for 60 minutes by Denver's front seven, both in the passing and running games.
The line gave up four sacks, nine quarterback hits and several pressures, as it provided little to no protection for Geno Smith throughout the afternoon.
Smith had to consistently elude pass-rushers and move out of the pocket just to keep plays alive.
In the running game, the line might have been even worse. It failed to get any push, and it was the main reason Gang Green managed just 2.1 yards per carry.
The offensive line has been undoubtedly terrible in the last couple of weeks after a so-so start to the season. If it can't pick up its game soon, Geno Smith may have no chance of making strides.
Grade: F
Defensive Line
5 of 10
What is with the Jets' inability to contain backup running backs?
A week after letting fourth-string San Diego Chargers runner Branden Oliver dominate them, New York gave up 100 yards to Ronnie Hillman.
Denver managed 138 rushing yards on the day and 4.2 yards an attempt, which is simply unacceptable for what is arguably the best run defense in football.
To its credit, the defensive front did make some big stops when it mattered late in the game.
The defensive line did do a great job getting pressure on Manning throughout the game with just three- and four-man rushes.
Muhammad Wilkerson and Leger Douzable recorded the only Jets sacks, and they had Manning on his back foot on seemingly every other down.
Grade: B-
Linebacker
6 of 10
The linebacker corps was average on Sunday, as it was also semi-responsible for Ronnie Hillman's big day.
The unit also failed to get much pressure on Manning when called upon to blitz the great quarterback, and Quinton Coples and Calvin Pace were mainly held in check.
However, the unit thrived when it was forced to drop back in coverage.
Demario Davis and David Harris recorded 11 tackles each and were around the ball on every other down while doing a nice job in coverage.
Gang Green's outside linebackers need to start making more of an impact, though.
Grade: C
Secondary
7 of 10
This was far from the secondary's worst performance, especially considering top corner Dee Milliner suffered what appeared to be a catastrophic injury on the first drive of the game.
Darrin Walls and Phillip Adams held up decently in coverage throughout the game, despite being matched up with perhaps the best receiving corps in football.
The secondary benefited from Rex Ryan's decision to overload in coverage and force Peyton Manning to fit the ball in airtight spaces.
Nonetheless, the defensive back end made some crucial mistakes that cost the team dearly.
Kyle Wilson dropped an easy would-be pick-six in the fourth quarter, Darrin Walls inexplicably failed to gather a fumble in the third and the team failed to give Julius Thomas extra attention in the red zone.
The secondary wasn't bad, but it certainly wasn't good.
Grade: C+
Special Teams
8 of 10
Nick Folk nailed his only field-goal attempt, Ryan Quigley was mostly solid on his seven punts and the return defense did a nice job containing Denver's return game.
However, the special teams grade is subpar because of a key, game-changing fumble from Walt Powell in the second quarter.
Powell fumbled an easy catch in great field position, and that gave Denver the ball. Peyton Manning and Co. proceeded to drive downfield and take the lead on the possession.
Big mistakes define football games, and this is one of those cases.
Grade: D+
Coaching
9 of 10
This wasn't a bad game from a coaching perspective.
Rex Ryan did a great job dropping back several men in coverage throughout the game and forcing Peyton Manning to throw the ball into airtight coverage, and he kept the Hall of Fame signal-caller on his toes all game.
Marty Mornhinweg's play-calling was much improved over the last few weeks. He abandoned the run when it was clear it wasn't working and got Jace Amaro involved.
He also called plenty of short routes that neutralized Denver's pass rush and gave Smith some confidence.
Perhaps most importantly, New York's discipline was terrific. The team only committed two penalties for nine yards the entire game.
Penalties were a huge issue early on in the year, but Gang Green have improved tremendously in that regard. You can credit Rex Ryan for that.
Grade: B
Cumulative Grades
10 of 10
| Positional Unit | Grade |
| QB | B+ |
| RB | D |
| WR/TE | B |
| OL | F |
| DL | B- |
| LB | C |
| Secondary | C+ |
| Special Teams | D+ |
| Coaching | B |
Cumulative Grade: B-
The Jets didn't play poorly on Sunday, but they were simply the inferior team.
Peyton Manning made plays when it mattered, while New York couldn't, and that's the ultimate reason why Rex Ryan and Co. couldn't squeak out the victory.
Nonetheless, Geno Smith was solid in this one. He was doomed by an awful offensive line, which is becoming a significant question mark as the season wears along.
Gang Green are 1-5. There are no ifs, buts or ands about it. They have to end this slide soon, or else everything will begin unraveling.
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