Jets vs. Ravens: Ugly Loss Exposes New York's Biggest Flaws

In one of the ugliest games you will ever see, the Baltimore Ravens knocked off the New York Jets, 34-17, thanks to three turnovers that were returned for touchdowns. The problems for Gang Green were not the touchdowns that were returned, rather the lackluster play from Mark Sanchez and Shonn Greene.

The Ravens have a good defense, so it is not entirely fair to put all the blame on Sanchez and Greene, but this is not the first time this season that the two key cogs for the Jets offense have struggled.

Greene's performance, in particular, has been a source of concern for this team since last season when he was given the starting running back job.

Sanchez's problems are the same ones that he has had since his rookie season, and they don't seem to be getting any better.

He completed just 11-of-35 passes for 119 yards and one interception. As odd as this is to say after a stat line like that, he is not a worse quarterback today than he was in 2009, but he is not a better one, either, and that's the problem.

If the Jets ever want to take the next step and become an elite team, Sanchez has to show better poise in the pocket and command of the huddle.

This is not to say that the Ravens didn't do anything to disrupt Sanchez's timing—he was hit 10 times—but the Jets did nothing to adjust to the pressure the Ravens were getting on him.

Head coach Rex Ryan, though, is the ultimate optimist and is expressing no concerns about Sanchez's performance so far this season.

"He struggled mightily, there's no question about it," Ryan said at the post-game press conference. "It wasn't his best day, that's for sure, but he's our quarterback and I believe in him."

The Jets' biggest question coming into the season was whether or not Sanchez would play like the quarterback who won four road games in the playoffs the last two seasons or the mediocre regular season player.

The answer is clear: the latter. And if that wasn't bad enough, the Jets' running game, which was supposed to be their strength on offense, is ranked 30th in the NFL with just 71 yards per game.

The Jets defense was always going to be solid, and they put forth a good effort against the Ravens, but the offense has taken significant steps back this season.

Fans anticipating another postseason appearance from the Jets this year got a rude awakening on Sunday night.