The 2019 season is finally in the books.
New York ended the year on a high note, knocking off the Bills by a final score of 13-6. It was an ugly win, but one that propelled the Jets to a 7-9 record to end the season — a record that seemed unattainable with the way the team performed early in the season.
For the final time this season, let’s break down a Gang Green win with four takeaways from the action.
A fitting finale
It’s only right that the Jets’ final game of 2019 served as a microcosm of the whole season.
New York turned in a standout performance on defense, but its offense was nowhere to be found throughout the afternoon. Gregg Williams had his unit humming (albeit against backups), while Adam Gase produced arguably his most uninspired offensive gameplan of the season.
Give the Jets credit for finishing 7-9 if you’d like. That doesn’t change this fact this team has a lot to improve upon if it wants to have any chance at contending in 2020.
Ficken’s fun is over
Week 17 should be the last time Sam Ficken ever suits up for the Jets.
Ficken was bad against the Bills, missing two field goal attempts. In his defense, one was from 51 yards out and into the wind and he did rebound to put the game on ice in the fourth quarter with a 47 yarder. That doesn’t change the fact that Ficken hasn’t been all that great this season and cost the Jets six points on Sunday, though.
It’s safe to assume Joe Douglas will scour free agency for an upgrade over Ficken in the offseason. If he doesn’t, the Jets will be in trouble at a crucial position entering 2020.
Not the best ending for Sam Darnold
Sam Darnold probably would’ve preferred to end 2019 on a higher note than he did against the Bills.
Despite Buffalo’s backups on defense being in for essentially the duration of the game, Darnold simply didn’t have it in Week 17. He missed numerous easy throws and made just as many questionable decisions.
There’s no denying Darnold made some strides towards the end of the season. Sunday just wasn’t a day he can build on moving forward.
Give Gregg his due
It’s hard to imagine where the Jets would be if Gregg Williams wasn’t calling the defense.
Yes, the Bills had their backups on the field for four quarters, but Williams formulated a defensive gameplan that resulted in a dominant effort from his unit. New York was on point all day defensively, flying around to make plays and force turnovers.
Williams deserves a lot of credit for the Jets’ late-season surge. His defense kept New York in a lot of games that it should not have been in. That’s the staple of an elite defensive coordinator.
