Three weeks ago, the-then 8-5 New York Jets had won three straight contests and were in the driver’s seat for the final wild card slot with a one-game lead over the competition. Though they had had a number of uneven performances along the way they still “controlled their own destiny” and would have gladly accepted their now-customary sixth-seed in the playoffs
Three weeks later the Jets have to be shocked at how the destiny they “controlled” has actually turned out. “8-8 clearly is not what we’re trying to get to,” said head coach Rex Ryan Sunday.
A blowout loss to the Eagles two weeks ago followed by a disappointing defeat to their in-state rival Giants on Christmas Eve and then an absolutely listless performance Sunday at Miami leaves the Jets without a chair in the playoffs just as the music stopped playing.
A playoff spot—any playoff spot—was really all that mattered to this confident Jets’ team.
All the talk about winning the division was true, but it didn’t seem to put an urgency a team that’s rode the lowest playoff seed all the way to straight AFC championship games while starting one of the youngest quarterbacks in the league.
Though Sanchez may already have more career road wins in the playoffs than either Tom Brady (three) or Peyton Manning (two) he wasn’t much help these past three weeks. Sunday’s three-interception performance in Miami was his third straight multi-interception game and gave him 18 on the season—a season which saw his best numbers (career-best 78.2 QB rating) as a pro stall the offense.
But Sanchez' turnovers and free-fall these last three games weren’t the only problem.
The top-heavy offensive line—a fixture if you’re going to rely on a running game—was exposed as surprisingly thin when All-Pro center Nick Mangold sprained his ankle in Week 2. The Jets, with few solid options available, started undrafted rookie free agent Colin Baxter in his place in losses against Oakland and Baltimore.
The resulting 2-3 start created a stir in the locker room especially when the blame fell on the offensive line. Wide receiver (and captain) Santonio Holmes, was reportedly at the center of the finger-pointing.
As the season ended Sunday Holmes again found himself at the center of attention, sitting the final few minutes on the bench. Said the Jets’ receiver afterwards, “If it was my lack of jogging back to the huddle, when there’s penalties and referees are taking their time looking at plays, I shouldn’t have to rush myself.”
Holmes, who hadn’t recorded a catch before his late benching Sunday may see some criticism come full circle—even an offensive lineman (guard Matt Slauson) had more receptions against the Dolphins.
