It certainly wasn’t a pretty performance for the Jets, but they somehow managed to finish the season with a 7-9 record with a 13-6 win over the Bills on Sunday.
The Jets’ defense dominated this game with the Bills’ backups team in for the majority of the game. Gregg Williams’ unit forced two total turnovers and kept Buffalo out of the end zone.
The same can’t be said for Adam Gase’s offense. His unit struggled mightily against the Bills backup defense. Sam Darnold was far from strong as he made a few boneheaded decisions, one of which that led to an interception. However, Gase’s in-game decisions were a problem as there were multiple times in this game where he left you shaking your head.
With that being said, let’s take a look at the studs and duds from the Jets’ season-ending victory.
Stud: James Burgess
James Burgess didn’t look like an NFL linebacker when he stepped in for the Jets earlier this year, but he turned his season around in the second half.
Burgess recorded his first career interception off of Bills quarterback Matt Barkley. Burgess did a nice job of reading Barkley’s eyes and stepped in front of the intended receiver. He finished the game with nine tackles, one pass breakup and the interception.
The 25-year-old is a restricted free agent in the offseason and the Jets should bring him back. He’s a solid depth piece in case any of the starting linebacker get hurt next season.
Stud: Jordan Jenkins
Jordan Jenkins is setting himself up for a nice payday this offseason.
Jenkins had a strip sack on Barkley that Quinnen Williams recovered. For Jenkins, that was his eighth sack of the season, a new career-high. He also had three tackles and a pass breakup.
The Jets would be wise to bring Jenkins back next season. He is a solid pass rusher in Gregg Williams’ defense and is a good guy to have in the locker room.
Dud: Sam Darnold
Sam Darnold did not end his season on a good note as he heads into an important third season.
Darnold was 23-36 for 199 yards, one touchdown and one interception. There were too many instances where Darnold missed his receivers. One example came in the second quarter, where Darnold evaded pressure and had a wide open Daniel Brown in the endzone and he short-armed it. His interception was a tough break on a deflection, but he threw it into tight coverage.
Year three will be crucial for Darnold’s progress. It’s time for him to show that he’s the quarterback of the future for the Jets. Obviously, the mononucleosis threw his season off course, but next season there will be no more excuses.
Dud: Adam Gase
Adam Gase continued to show why he shouldn’t be an NFL head coach in Week 17.
Gase’s in-game decisions were mind-boggling from the get-go. On the first drive, The Jets had a 3rd and short and Gase called a wildcat with Le’Veon Bell which didn’t work. He then chose to kick a field goal on 4th down and Ficken missed the kick. Gase ghosted Le’Veon Bell until late in the fourth quarter. He also called numerous passing plays in short-yardage situations.
Gase was brought in to elevate Darnold’s game and he has failed to do that. His offense is statistically one of the worst in the NFL. Gase hasn’t used Bell correctly at all. Gase will. be back next season to try and improve the offense, but year one was a big disappointment.
Stud: Terrell Basham
Tarrell Basham had another terrific performance after a great game against the Steelers last week.
Basham should’ve had a strip sack on Barkley, but instead it was overturned to an incomplete pass. Luckily for him, he was rewarded with a fumble recovery on the Jenkins strip sack. Basham also had two tackles and two pass defenses in the game.
Basham is another solid depth piece to have as a pass rusher and has developed well with Gregg Williams.
