Jets' report card vs. Packers: Defense earns an 'A'
OFFENSE: B
The Jets’ offensive line continues to open holes for the running backs and Breece Hall, especially, is bursting through them. The Jets had 179 yards rushing and two touchdowns on the ground. Hall finished with 116 yards rushing and a touchdown. The Jets only scored three points in the first half, but they moved the ball much better after halftime. There wasn’t much to speak about in the passing game. Zach Wilson only threw for 110 yards, but he was not intercepted. He made one big connection for 41 yards with Corey Davis that set up the Jets’ first TD, a Braxton Berrios 20-yard end-around. No Jet caught more than two passes and Elijah Moore wasn’t targeted at all. That has to change. The O-line protected Wilson well, who was only sacked twice.
DEFENSE: A
This group dominated the game, especially up front, which is becoming the trend. Led by Quinnen Williams’ two sacks, the Jets kept Aaron Rodgers off balance. They sacked him four times and had nine quarterback hits. Rodgers wasn’t sharp, finishing with an 88.1 passer rating. The Jets also did a good job of stopping the Packers’ run game, which has been the defense's Achilles heel. Aaron Jones was held to only 19 yards rushing on nine carries and A.J. Dillon 41 yards on 10. . Another issue has been their third-down defense. They allowed the Packers to convert only 4 of 16 third down attempts.
SPECIAL TEAMS: A-
Brant Boyer’s group had a terrific day. They blocked a field goal and blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown that gave the Jets a 14-point lead. Greg Zuerlein made two of three field goals and all three of his extra points. Berrios had a 29-yard kickoff return and a 19-yard punt return. Braden Mann averaged 44.7 yards on six punts and boomed one 61 yards. Justin Hardee continues to be tremendous in return coverage.
COACHING: B+
The Jets established their domination on both sides of the line of scrimmage and their game plan worked. The defensive line controlled this game and the extra bodies they used to slow the run game proved huge. The Jets played a lot of man coverage on the corners since the Packers don’t have a star receiver, which allowed them to snuff the run. The Jets didn’t test the Packers’ secondary much. The run game did the job. They will need more from the passing game going forward. They can’t be too one-dimensional because teams will load up on them.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
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