Fresh off a buzzer-beating win over the Dolphins in Week 14, New York traveled to Baltimore to take on the Ravens Thursday night. Things did not go Gang Green’s way, as Baltimore manhandled the Jets to the tune of a 42-21 blowout victory.
Considering the disparity between the two teams’ talent and health at this point in the season, the result comes as no shock. That doesn’t mean there’s nothing from Week 15 worth evaluating, though. With that being said, let’s take a look back at New York’s ninth loss of the season with four takeaways.
The Jets never had a chance
Nothing is ever a given in the NFL, but the way things played out in Baltimore on Thursday night is pretty much what everyone expected to see heading into the game.
Let’s face it. Given the current state of the team, the Jets didn’t have a chance against arguably the best team in the AFC. With eight starters sidelined due to injury, it would’ve been unrealistic to expect New York to come out and stop a Ravens offense that has dominated all season and a Baltimore defense that has had its way with opponents since Week 1.
Sometimes there’s simply nothing a team can do to emerge victoriously. That’s the position the Jets found themselves in against the Ravens.
Take notes, Adam Gase
Adam Gase didn’t call a bad game against the Ravens. He did everything he could to put his offense in a position to succeed. That doesn’t mean he couldn’t learn a thing or two from what John Harbaugh has accomplished with Lamar Jackson in Baltimore, though.
Harbaugh has altered his whole offensive scheme to play to Jackson’s strengths. Obviously, Jackson and Sam Darnold have completely different skillsets, but Gase has done next to nothing to orchestrate an offensive scheme that caters to his young quarterback. He has remained fixed in his ways, running an offense that hasn’t worked for any signal-caller not named Peyton Manning.
That’s not going to be enough to get the job done in the long run.
At least Le’Veon Bell showed up
Le’Veon Bell looked like a new man in his return to the field against the Ravens, rushing for 87 yards on 21 carries.
Bell’s numbers don’t jump off the page, but they’re impressive considering the season he’s had. Bell also passed the eye test with flying colors, looking like a much more dynamic runner than he has in recent weeks.
Bell didn’t bowl a perfect game against Baltimore, but he did his part in helping the Jets offense. That’s all you could ask of him against a stout Ravens defense.
The lone bright spot
It’s appropriate to give credit where credit is due.
Excluding Sam Ficken’s rough night, Brant Boyer has New York’s special teams units firing on all cylinders. B.J. Bello’s blocked punt return touchdown in the fourth quarter was the Jets’ sixth non-offensive touchdown this season, tying them with the Patriots for the league lead.
If you’re tied with the Patriots in a statistical category, odds are you’re doing something right. While other units have been lacking throughout the season, Boyer has kept his on the up and up.
