Jarrett's Incredible Day Makes All the Difference

Imagine what might’ve happened if had started from the beginning. Not Michael Vick. Jaiquawn Jarrett.

The Jets scored just three points in the final three quarters Sunday, yet managed to outdo one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL because Jarrett was simply everywhere on defense.

Starting his first game of the year -- and only his fifth in a four-year career that, before Sunday, had him labeled as a bust after being chosen in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft (can’t even blame the Jets for that one -- they picked Jarrett up two years ago after the Eagles cut him) -- Jarrett’s performance was as good as any Jet defender has enjoyed since the team moved to New Jersey three decades ago -- 10 tackles, two interceptions (remarkably, twice as many as the Jets had gotten through the first nine games of 2014), one fumble recovery and a sack for good measure.

Despite modest numbers that would be ashamed to be seen next to Jarrett’s, Vick also had a very good day. Yes, the Jets scored just once in their last eight drives, but the 34-year-old QB made plays whenever he had to. Vick’s 67-yard strike to T.J. Graham in the first quarter -- only Graham’s second catch of the season -- proved that he’s still got as much arm as anyone in football. It was one of only 10 completions (in 18 attempts) for Vick, yet he was effective at spreading the ball around to favorite targets Percy Harvin, Eric Decker and Jace Amaro.

The home team mostly stuck to the ground at MetLife Stadium, as Vick showed that he still runs as well as any QB ever has. Only now, he does it smarter. Vick ran the ball just five times (not counting three end-of-game kneel-downs), but got key first downs on three of those.

Meanwhile, for all the talk about how Harvin strictly wants to be a receiver, it’s clear that he’s most dangerous when offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg moves him all over the field -- and gets the ball in his hands as much and as quickly as possible. Normally, I wouldn’t trust Marty to mow my lawn-- and it’s not even in the red zone. But he deserves praise for the work he’s done in utilizing Harvin’s game-changing talents -- a claim the defending-champion Seahawks can’t match.

It’s been an awful season, but anytime you can make the Steelers faithful -- who flocked to the game in droves -- throw in their Terrible Towels, it’s a great day. 

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