Is this really the same season that once featured discussion of the Jets in the Super Bowl? Hard as it is to imagine, there were once such delusions. After Sunday's 24-14 loss in San Francisco, there won't be anyone making such claims.
The Jets were completely inept in every single phase of the game for the second straight week, which makes it hard to believe they'll hold on and make the playoffs. Miami and New England won, creating a three-way logjam atop the AFC East and the Jets don't look like the favorites anymore. That they were even in the game is a testament to the 49ers' flaws.
For example, the Niners fumbled three times in the first quarter, but the Jets only recovered the first one. The third fumble came on the goal line and was recovered by offensive lineman Joe Staley for a touchdown. That capped an eight play, 4:28 drive, one of five drives that numbered that many plays and ate up that much clock.
The Jets have a harebrained defensive scheme to thank for that. Even though they've spent the whole season being carved up by underneath passes allowed by incompetent defensive backs, Jet coaches thought playing a prevent, bend but don't break defense was the wisest choice. It wasn't, as Shaun Hill's 275 passing yards and San Francisco's 40 minutes with the ball make very clear.
The defense's inability to get off the field didn't give the offense many chances, but more poor playcalling didn't help when they did have the ball. Thomas Jones had 10 carries for 56 yards halfway through the third quarter, including a touchdown that tied the game at 14, but didn't get another try. After a San Francisco field goal made it 17-14, the Jets called four pass plays, with a holding penalty mixed in, and punted to set up the clinching touchdown for the Niners.
As if all that weren't enough, the Jets committed three penalties on kick returns. The most damaging was a hold by James Ihedigbo that nullified a 99-yard touchdown return by Leon Washington. Putting the cherry on top of the manure sundae was a botched reverse on a kick return after the Niners went up 24-14. You'd think that blowing that play against Denver would be taken as a sign, but apparently the Jets coaches don't watch film or remember things that happened in the past.
Poor preparation and poor execution are a deadly combination. The question is whether the Jets can solve either or both in time to save their hopes of making something of the season.
