Jets-Chiefs: Brett Favre Nearly Hands One to Kansas City

Is it fair to blame anyone for a team's shortcomings after they manage to win a game anyway?

The New York Jets handed the Kansas City Chiefs a 28-24 loss on Sunday afternoon, but in the most unexpected fashion. The game was a hard-fought battle from beginning to end.

The win didn't come as easily as everyone believed it should have against a dismal Chiefs team.

No Larry Johnson, a third-string quarterback, a veteran tight end that was nearly shipped away weeks earlier, and one effective wide receiver defined the offense Herman Edwards brought into the Meadowlands on Sunday. And it's that bunch that nearly left the tri-state area with an upset.

The Jets should have been able to sit their starters in the fourth and get some reps for the other guys.

But nothing is ever that easy in New York.

Is He Color Blind?

Whenever Brett Favre is discussed these days, a lot is said about his age and the abuse his body has taken throughout the years.

Fans reminisce about his career and his exciting improvisational style. People always say that he's a veteran that's seen it all.

So why do Jets fans have to see so many passes fly into the arms of the other team?

It's been an oft-heard cliche in 2008, but yes—the other guys on the field get paid as well. But most of Favre's turnovers are the result of poor decisions and not excellent defensive schemes.

Jets fans were to accept that turnovers come with the Favre package. But they shouldn't be patronized by analysts and commentators that love to wax poetic about his illustrious career while he makes the same mistakes that are expected of an inexperienced quarterback.

Should the Jets Fly Closer to the Ground?

For two straight weeks, the Jets' offensive gameplan has insisted upon airing the ball out. That's not supposed to be a bad thing. Fans were screaming for it after the first few weeks of the season, when it looked like Favre was being handcuffed and coddled.

But there's no effort to diversify the gameplan. The Jets don't attack any team's known weaknesses.

Despite Favre's struggles and the shots he's taken, Brian Schottenheimer and friends have neglected the running game against two teams that are susceptible to the rush.

The NFL is a chess match played between professionals and brilliant minds, so one would assume that Kansas City has done what they can to remedy their defensive woes. But keeping the ball in the air against a team that has allowed an average of over 200 yards on the ground is insane.

A Favre interception that was returned 91 yards for a touchdown came on a 3rd-and-2 play inside the Chiefs' red zone. If the third-down conversion failed, so what? Take three points, or go for it anyway. Instead, an errant throw put Kansas City right back in the game.

Who's to blame? Chansi Stuckey for stopping his route? Favre for staring the route down? Or the offensive coordinator for not asking one of the backs to move through a weak run defense for a few yards and make it a 1st-and-goal situation?

New York Jets' Defense: Confidence Builders for Inexperienced QBs!

Tyler Thigpen—that is his name, right? Was he supposed to look like Tom Brady today? Is he going to be the next great quarterback in the NFL after being a third-string option?

His efficiency, pocket-presence, and accuracy against the Jets sure made it look that way. Until his career is over, we'll never know. But the Jets' defense sure did their best to make it a valid discussion.

Should it be a surprise? They have done it all season, haven't they?

The Jets welcomed Matt Cassel to the NFL with minimal resistance. They allowed him to dink and dunk his way to an effectively managed victory in the Meadowlands for his first NFL start. Credit to the New England gameplan, or was it the Jets' defense that can't stop the pass?

Then, Ryan Fitzpatrick stepped in for Carson Palmer and had his moments. Although the Bengals lost, outside of an early fumble, the Jets couldn't force the mistake-prone QB into any of the mistakes that have plagued him. The Jets gave hope to a team that was supposed to be in a hopeless situation.

The third time was not the charm when JaMarcus Russell threw for first downs all over the Jets. Against other teams, Russell would have folded and collapsed. Against New York, he looked like the man Oakland wanted when they drafted him first overall.

Being lit up by another inexperienced QB only makes things scarier when the Jets head to Buffalo to face Trent Edwards and his Bills.

Let's not forget that in Edwards' first start, he humiliated the Jets for over 300 yards through the air.

Do the Jets Deserve to Be Taken Seriously?

After letting Oakland impose their will on them, the Jets needed to come out at home and do more than just win.

Adding one more victory is always good, but it's not always good enough. They don't need to put 56 points on the board against everyone, but it'd be nice to see the Jets execute exceptionally somewhere.

The special teams have been phenomenal, but when the offense turns the ball over, and the defense allows every quarterback to hit a rhythm, one has to how good the Jets really are.

There's no such thing as a cakewalk in the NFL, but there is such a thing as bad NFL teams that have no business making games close—especially against the talent all over the Jets' roster.

The Jets need passion, and they need an identity. Most importantly, they need a kicker that won't miss field goals and a quarterback that remembers what color jersey he's supposed to be throwing to.

On the bright side, it was fun watching Herman Edwards lose again.

Angel Navedo is the Head Writer at NYJetsFan.com, boasting Jet Fuel Radio, frequently updated news and opinions, and a premier fan community. He is also the Community Leader for the New York Jets on Bleacher Report.