Game Observations (PIT)

[KRL]

In a defensive struggle that had a playoff feel the Jets put a major dent
in PIT hopes with a 16-10 win.  Fans and critics will try to minimize it
but this team is now 5-2 in the second half of the season.  Some will now
obviously cry about dropping in draft position.  But to me its more
important that Sam Darnold play solid against an elite defense and win in
a playoff atmosphere.  Let's take a look:

Special Teams

- Nothing special in the KO return game and Braxton Berrios had one punt
return for 20 yards

- Lachlan Edwards had a 45 yard average but had an awful 25 yard shank on
the final drive that allowed PIT to start at midfield.  He's lucky he got
bailed out by the defense

- Sam Ficken was 3/3 in FG's with a 54 yarder and a clutch 42 yarder to give
the team a six point lead

Defense

- They allowed only 10 points and pitched a shutout in the second half but
they were only solid.  Let's face it James Conner and Mason Rudolph were 
giving them problems until they left with injuries.  And without a key PBU
by Marcus Maye on the final drive and Devlin Hodges being trash as a QB they
could've lost

- Bless Austin had his worst game of his short career as he was burned on 
a TD pass by Rudolph at the end of the first half.  Ultimately he was replaced
in the starting lineup

- Solid return to the lineup by Jamal Adams as he had 8 tackles, 2 TFL and a
QB Hit.  His ankle must not be 100% because he didn't play in the box as much
as he normally does

- Marcus Maye was excellent as he had 4 tackles, 2 PD and an INT.  He basically
saved the game on the final drive as he pulled a TD out of the hands of the WR

- After missing a couple of games with a neck injury the "Alabama" version
of Quinnen Williams showed up.  In easily his best game as a pro Williams finally
flashed the skills we saw in college.  He had 4 tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL, QB Hit
and multiple penetrations.  Against an excellent PIT OLine it was encouraging

- The ILB's had their usual productive days as Neville Hewitt had 8 tackles,
1 sack, 1 TFL and a QB Hit.  While James Burgess also had 8 tackles and a TFL

- Tarell Basham showed excellent athletic ability as he dropped into coverage
and made a leaping INT

- Active days for Foley Fatukasi and Kyle Phillips as they both had 3 tackles,
1 sack, 1 TFL and QB Hit

- Credit to the defensive staff for developing so many "under the radar" players.
Because every week it seems like I'm mentioning the same names

Offense

- The offense got off to a hot start as the "first 15 plays" were well scripted
by Adam Gase.  A combination of RPO's and an uptempo no huddle put PIT defense
on their heels as they scored an opening TD.  But then the "brown out" trend
cropped up as in their final 10 drives the offense had five three and outs and
generated only 3 FG's.  Some of those three and outs started in excellent field
position.  They did play an elite PIT defense (49 sacks, 35 turnovers) but this
trend has to be eliminated

- The OLine "punched above their weight" as they held off PIT pressure to keep
Sam Darnold clean and did enough on the ground to keep the defense honest

- LeVeon Bell got ample work (25 car / 72 yds and 4 rec / 21 yds) but wasn't able
to break anything big

- Solid day for Jamison Crowder (4 rec / 60 yds) as he did his normal "chain
mover" thing

- Robby Anderson scored the only TD (2 rec / 32 yds) with a fantastic hands catch
over two DB's

- Even though Trevon Wesco had a catch for 32 yards this offense really misses
Chris Herndon and Ryan Griffin at TE.  It seems like Darnold does have great
chemistry with anyone else at the position

- "Game manager" effort by Sam Darnold (16/26, 183 yds, 1 TD) against another
elite defense.  He made quick decisions, got the ball out and knew where his 
"hot" receivers were.  It actually seemed like he was more productive when
PIT forced him to make quick decisions.  When Darnold had more time he made
some errant throws and got away with an INT when Mike Tomlin didn't challenge
the Joe Haden play in the first half.  On the strip sack Darnold had two hands
on the ball so credit to TJ Watt's "fumble" skills

[SummerofSam14]

Darnold still to me looks worse than he did last year. 

[Joejet]

Thanks KRL, Excellent analysis as always.

[Larz]

2 minutes ago, SummerofSam14 said:

Darnold still to me looks worse than he did last year. 

Giants blew it so bad today lol

bye bye Young 

[BUM-KNEE]

Good stuff again KRL.

[Losmeister]

fair analysis.

an ok by sam anf ol anf o.

a solid b by d

[Irktusk1957]

9 minutes ago, SummerofSam14 said:

Darnold still to me looks worse than he did last year. 

You appear to be the same you were an hour ago

[Anthony Jet]

Thank you, always look forward to your recap when I miss the games 

[Barry McCockinner]

The first scripted drive then "brown out" as you called it is very curious to me. Credit to Gase for being very successful on the first drive. It's one thing I can point to and say he's good at.

We've now seen several games where the offense disappears after that though. What can explain this pattern? 

[KRL]

PIT defense came into the game with 49 sacks and 35 turnovers.  With
a talent base of:

Watt
Heyward
Dupree
Bush
Fitzpatrick
Haden

If you can't appreciate how Darnold managed the game you should stop
watching
 

[Losmeister]

winning breeds winning.

chuffed we won.

the perfroemance? good enough to win. 

gritty wins is good wins. 

we need better still.

[Losmeister]

1 minute ago, KRL said:

how Darnold managed the game

thats fair.

we need more in the future.

[maury77]

It's nice to see the team learning how to win these admittedly meaningless games. They are a young team and you have to hope that they can carry this into next season. 

[BUM-KNEE]

I only saw the highlights, but it seemed Bell was hitting the holes with a little more speed.

Or was that just a small sample mirage?

[JustInFudge]

6 minutes ago, KRL said:

PIT defense came into the game with 49 sacks and 35 turnovers.  With
a talent base of:

Watt
Heyward
Dupree
Bush
Fitzpatrick
Haden

If you can't appreciate how Darnold managed the game you should stop
watching
 

Bush, Edmonds, Barrett, Nelson, Tuitt.  That D is loaded.  Darnold has a slightly above average game for QBs vs that D.   It’s a good thing 

[Xtina]

15 minutes ago, KRL said:

PIT defense came into the game with 49 sacks and 35 turnovers.  With
a talent base of:

Watt
Heyward
Dupree
Bush
Fitzpatrick
Haden

If you can't appreciate how Darnold managed the game you should stop
watching
 

It looked like he improved over his weakness, the blitz 

[Barton]

Quinnen Williams showed rare explosion off the line on his sack. 

[Jets723]

18 minutes ago, Losmeister said:

thats fair.

we need more in the future.

I think we all agree with that.  Even the most positive Sam supporter has admitted he is still a work in progress.  Last year he was the youngest QB to start since the merger.  Also when you look at the lack of talent he had played with but still shown things to give us hope, that’s why people are high on him.  Not saying he is ever gonna be elite but I think he is gonna be a really good WB you can win with 

[SomebodytoAnybody47]

6 minutes ago, Barton said:

Quinnen Williams showed rare explosion off the line on his sack. 

Didn’t he go completely unblocked?

[Barton]

1 minute ago, Samtorobby47 said:

Didn’t he go completely unblocked?

He made it look like that. Due to his elite explosion off the snap. 

[naturalscience]

Thank you for the effort.

Always appreciate the work you put in.

[FidelioJet]

8 minutes ago, Samtorobby47 said:

Didn’t he go completely unblocked?

He did...but he did show closing speed that was impressive...

I think the pick was awful, but the speed in which he closed for his size was impressive.

[RobR]

18 minutes ago, maury77 said:

It's nice to see the team learning how to win these admittedly meaningless games. They are a young team and you have to hope that they can carry this into next season. 

These feel good wins at the end never translate to next year for a multitude of reasons. I'm guessing our roster gets churned around a third next year, some coaching changes, and then everyone will forget how they beat the Steelers last year. 

Competitive sports are a week to week basis especially with the roster turnover. The only ones that will be celebrating this win a year from now is some of the posters here. The win today cost us draft capital and didn't help one bit when we reach for the ultimate goal. 

[Barton]

3 minutes ago, FidelioJet said:

He did...but he did show closing speed that was impressive...

I think the pick was awful, but the speed in which he closed for his size was impressive.

His closing speed was noticeable. Reminded me of a young Kimo Von Oelhoffen.

[HawkeyeJet]

15 minutes ago, RobR said:

These feel good wins at the end never translate to next year for a multitude of reasons. I'm guessing our roster gets churned around a third next year, some coaching changes, and then everyone will forget how they beat the Steelers last year. 

Competitive sports are a week to week basis especially with the roster turnover. The only ones that will be celebrating this win a year from now is some of the posters here. The win today cost us draft capital and didn't help one bit when we reach for the ultimate goal. 

So you basically don't think building programs and culture is a thing? 

Edit: I should add I don't necessarily think this game alone is any big program builder/changer.  The week to week basis comment is one I don't agree with though.  

[Sonny Werblin]

Gase should script out every variety of drive. Then he can just look up at the scoreboard, see that the jets drive is starting inside their own 20, up by 7, midway through the 2d quarter and realize “Hey, I’ve got a scripted drive for that.” Cause whatever he’s doing now is not very effective.

[BroadwayRay]

19 minutes ago, Jets723 said:

I think we all agree with that.  Even the most positive Sam supporter has admitted he is still a work in progress.  Last year he was the youngest QB to start since the merger.  Also when you look at the lack of talent he had played with but still shown things to give us hope, that’s why people are high on him.  Not saying he is ever gonna be elite but I think he is gonna be a really good WB you can win with 

The verdict on Darnold can’t be reached in until he plays under the guidance of a good offensive coordinator..That won’t be for at least a couple of years unfortunately. 

[Jets723]

1 minute ago, BroadwayRay said:

The verdict on Darnold can’t be reached in until he plays under the guidance of a good offensive coordinator..That won’t be for at least a couple of years unfortunately. 

More than anything he needs at least an adequate offensive line

[SomebodytoAnybody47]

14 minutes ago, RobR said:

These feel good wins at the end never translate to next year for a multitude of reasons. I'm guessing our roster gets churned around a third next year, some coaching changes, and then everyone will forget how they beat the Steelers last year. 

Competitive sports are a week to week basis especially with the roster turnover. The only ones that will be celebrating this win a year from now is some of the posters here. The win today cost us draft capital and didn't help one bit when we reach for the ultimate goal. 

Were just in ceedee lamb territory.  It’s all good. 

[RobR]

6 minutes ago, HawkeyeJet said:

So you basically don't think building programs and culture is a thing? 

Not at all when it comes to the NFL. It's why you can win or compete in the Super Bowl one year and completely suck the next. The two common denominators for success in the NFL is coaching and the QB.

This isn't college football.

[RobR]

2 minutes ago, Samtorobby47 said:

Were just in ceedee lamb territory.  It’s all good. 

I think he's the first WR off the board.....and then the run will start. 

[phill1c]

3 minutes ago, Jets723 said:

More than anything he needs at least an adequate offensive line

Look, the OL has been stable and decent the last 4 games. Let's stop using this is the excuse for everything.

Today's game: had some good, but some of the same: late reads, sometimes overcome by his arm, sometimes not. And, a turnover (fumble) when in or near scoring territory.

BUT...to his credit, he gutted out a win and that's probably most important. And against an opponent the Jets don't normally beat. So, I'm going to give golf clap for baby steps in avoiding the game-losing play. That's real growth.

[HawkeyeJet]

3 minutes ago, RobR said:

Not at all when it comes to the NFL. It's why you can win or compete in the Super Bowl one year and completely suck the next. The two common denominators for success in the NFL is coaching and the QB.

This isn't college football.

I agree it's not as important in the NFL.  I still think it's incredibly important.

Patriots are the prime example.  You say it's coaching and QBs.  That's true.  It's Belichick culture that makes them unique in my opinion, not his Xs and Os(even though he's good at those too).

To each their own.

[RobR]

3 minutes ago, HawkeyeJet said:

I agree it's not as important in the NFL.  I still think it's incredibly important.

Patriots are the prime example.  You say it's coaching and QBs.  That's true.  It's Belichick culture that makes them unique in my opinion, not his Xs and Os(even though he's good at those too).

To each their own.

My biggest point is that by us winning this game it will have zero implications for the 2020 Jets. No one builds on winning meaningless games, they only fall further down the pecking order when it comes to the draft.   

[UnknownJetFan]

32 minutes ago, RobR said:

These feel good wins at the end never translate to next year for a multitude of reasons. I'm guessing our roster gets churned around a third next year, some coaching changes, and then everyone will forget how they beat the Steelers last year. 

Competitive sports are a week to week basis especially with the roster turnover. The only ones that will be celebrating this win a year from now is some of the posters here. The win today cost us draft capital and didn't help one bit when we reach for the ultimate goal. 

our culture or the best chance at changing it around if at all possible is more important than the draft position. Sam and the rest of them have to believe they can win and the vibe in this and other close games is starting to not feel like the other shoe will drop, but that we will win in the clutch. At the end with a TD that could beat us I didn't feel it would occur just like I felt the O would get us some points and felt Fickens would hit the FG making Pitt need a TD they would not get. Heck, the TD they got was a fluke since that would have been the time you play 15 yards off a WR.