Grading the Jets in NFL Week 5 vs. Atlanta Falcons
Zach Wilson of the Jets fumbles the ball against the Falcons at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday in London. Credit: Getty Images/Ryan Pierse
OFFENSE
Zach Wilson and the Jets’ offense regressed in London. The Jets ran eight offensive plays in their first three series, the third ending with Wilson getting picked off. The Falcons came in as the worst-scoring defense in the league and the Jets didn’t get into the end zone until the second half — and only with help from a big special teams play and a pass interference call. Wilson was 19-for-32 for 192 yards with one interception and a number of other badly thrown passes. No Jets receiver had more than four catches. Corey Davis had two drops. The Falcons were down to their third-string slot corner, and Jamison Crowder had just four catches for 24 yards. The run game was quiet again with 64 yards. Mike LaFleur’s offense needs help.
GRADE: F
DEFENSE
Jeff Ulbrich’s group once again played much better than the offense. But the Jets’ defense had a rough game against a team that was missing its top two receivers, Calvin Ridley and Russell Gage. The Falcons scored on their first four possessions. The Jets didn’t force a punt until the third quarter. They allowed Atlanta to convert 9 of 14 third downs. Two of them came after the Jets closed a 17-point deficit to 20-17 in the fourth quarter. Atlanta completed a 15-yard pass on third-and-13. That was a killer. Matt Ryan carved up the Jets’ defense for 342 yards and two touchdowns. He wasn’t sacked once. The Jets allowed 189 receiving yards to tight ends with Kyle Pitts (nine catches) accounting for 119. The Jets did force two turnovers. But too many breakdowns early and late crushed them.
GRADE: F
SPECIAL TEAMS
Tevin Coleman set up the Jets’ first touchdown, taking the second-half kickoff 65 yards to the Falcons' 29. Matt Ammendola kicked two field goals (31 and 49 yards) and one extra point, but he also hit the upright on a PAT. Thomas Morstead averaged 51.3 yards on four punts, including a 59-yarder. Two of his four punts pinned Atlanta inside the 10.
GRADE: B
COACHING
This was a troubling performance for everyone. The Jets started slowly on both sides of the ball. They’re the only team in the NFL without first-quarter points. That’s poor preparation. The offensive play-calling needs to be better. A receiver screen across the field on second-and-5 fooled no one and resulted in a 6-yard loss. The defense knew Pitts would be a focal point of the Falcons' offense and left him open too often. The Jets gave up two touchdown passes with defensive lineman in coverage on a tight end. It was a bad day for Robert Saleh and his staff.
GRADE: F
