The New York Jets lost today at MetLife Stadium 14-7 to the Los Angeles Chargers. It was an uneventful, sloppy game that only highlighted the team’s shortcomings at the game’s most critical positions. Their quarterback was awful. Their pass rush was awful. When it mattered, their coverage was awful. Rinse and repeat. The good news? The team moved from the 10th pick in the NFL Draft to the 8th pick, thanks to a Bengals and Bears victory.

Bryce Petty was 14/27 for 114 yards with an INT and zero TDs. He had a 4.2 YPA. We said this pre-draft, we said it when he was drafted, we said it in 2015, we said it in 2016 and we’ll say it now…Petty is barely a third string quarterback at this level. The sadder part is that he is better than Christian Hackenberg who was drafted two rounds before him. It is easy to rip into Todd Bowles and company today, before you remember he was stuck with gas station sushi and rotten tuna salad at quarterback from his GM. The Jets lost by one possession to a likely playoff team today with an absolutely pathetic roster, devoid of talent at the league’s most important positions.

Defensively, it was another game where the Jets sacked the quarterback zero times. Muhammad Wilkerson watched from sweatpants on the sideline. (Credit to the Jets for making him inactive). Leonard Williams left with an injury. Darron Lee struggled in coverage. Jamal Adams struggled in coverage. And yet. the defense came to play overall. It is admirable to hold a talented Chargers offense to only 14 points with absolutely zero support from your offense. It is a frustrating situation for that side of the ball but they continue to play with a high energy level and aggressive attitude with each passing week.

A tip of the hat to evergreen warrior Bilal Powell who racked up 145 yards rushing and a touchdown. Poor Bilal has been misused his entire career in New York but always answers when his number is called. Robby Anderson tacked on 44 yards receiving and has a fighter’s chance at 1,000 yards despite an abysmal quarterback situation. Marcus Maye recovered a surprise onside kick and racked up six tackles, while remaining steady in coverage.

It isn’t all bleak in New York but until quarterback and the pass rush is fixed, this playoff drought complimented by empty stadiums will continue. Let’s hope for a loss next week and a further improved draft position.

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