The New York Jets enter their bye week with more questions than answers following Sunday’s lopsided 30-9 loss to the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium. Rex Ryan insisted his team would empty its tank and leave everything on the field this week, but instead Gang Green completely tanked and exited the field to a chorus of boos from a disgruntled home crowd. Mark Sanchez floundered in the pocket tossing an interception, losing a fumble and failing to move the chains on the Jets’ first six offensive possessions of the game.
Special teams—normally a strong suit for New York—was a major letdown on Sunday with the Jets allowing a blocked punt for a touchdown, blocked field goal and onside kick recovery. With 7:00 minutes remaining the first half, the Jets found themselves facing a 20-0 deficit which proved too large to overcome.
Wildcat quarterback Tim Tebow carried the football once for two yards and, as he has for much of the regular season, watched helplessly from the sidelines as Sanchez and the offensive unit sputtered. Midway through the first quarter Dolphins rookie signal-caller Ryan Tannehill left the game with an apparent quad injury with backup quarterback Matt Moore stepping in leading the charge for Miami.
New York’s defense surrendered a season-low 139 passing yards but the Dolphins converted two of their three red zone trips for touchdowns both coming on third down plays.
Ryan and company will have a week off before traveling to Seattle on November 10 to take on Russell Wilson and the Seahawks. With the losses piling up and the Jets in the cellar of the AFC East, the Jets could be on the outside of the playoff picture looking in if they don’t right the ship in the second half of the year.