Geno Smith Shines on Monday Night in 30-28 Win

Oct 7, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) passes for a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Finally, Geno Smith showed off his true potential for the New York Jets. After an abysmal performance against the 3-2 Tennessee Titans, Geno Smith rebounded with the best game of his NFL career: all this while pulling off one of the greatest upsets this year so far. For the first time all year, Geno Smith threw for 3 touchdowns in a game AND did not turnover the football a feat that has not been done by a Jets quarterback since September of 2010.

Geno Smith finished the game 16-20, 199 yards, 3 TDs, and 0 INT.  Not only that, Geno Smith led yet another game-winning drive down the field as time expired; and this time he didn’t even need Lavonte David to get called for late hit. Also on the final drive, Smith showed off his versatility, scrambling out of the pocket for a first down and putting the Jets in field goal range.

However,  as always for the Jets it wasn’t perfect by any stretch of the imagination. For the starters, the offensive line struggled yet again, allowing their rookie quarterback to be sacked 4 times, and most of them from his blind side. Also, aside from a 26 yard run by Mike Goodson out of the Wildcat formation, Jets’ running backs averaged a sub-par 3.9 YPC, something that has to improve if the Jets hope to succeed in the long run.

Another cause for concern after their Monday Night matchup against the Falcons would be their lack of pass defense and poor secondary play. The Jets defense got absolutely torn apart by Matt Ryan, who completed %80 of his passes for over 300 yards. What is more concerning is that more than half of his completions were to the same two people (Tony Gonzalez and Julio Jones) and the Jets still couldn’t catch on to their game plan. Fortunately, the Jets offense was able to bail their defense out, putting up a solid 30 points against the reigning NFC South Champs.

Fortunately, the Jets offense was more than just good last night. They were phenomenal. Jeremy Kerley stepped up to the plate last night, having a great game that the Jets needed due to the injury to Santonio Holmes and that Clyde Gates and Stephen Hill were also coming off injuries.

Oct 7, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Jeremy Kerley (11) runs after a catch in the first half against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

Kerley finished with 5 catches, 68 yards, and 1 TD. Kerley was targeted 6 times in the game, the most for any Jet player. Geno Smith and Jeremy Kerley were connecting through the air last night like two seasoned veterans, and this is a great sign for the New York Jets.

After that superb win over the Falcons last night, the New York Jets advanced to 3-2, tying with the Dolphins for second place in the AFC East.

Next week, the New York Jets will host the 0-4 Pittsburgh Steelers, giving the Jets a great chance to advance to 4-2. Also, the Patriots are playing the New Orleans Saints, an extremely tough game for Bellichek and Co. If all goes well next week, the Jets have a chance to be tied for first in the division.