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New York Jets: Analysis of Preseason loss to Detroit Lions

ByMaurice Moton|

The New York Jets opened the preseason unsynchronized and sluggish, leading to a 23-3 drubbing by the Detroit Lions.

Fortunately, much of their early issues can be accredited to a wild week that cost them a hard-hitting defensive lineman and their starting quarterback.

Head coach Todd Bowles handled the situation swiftly and pushed the team forward with a veteran starter and a defense loaded with talent. So, how and when did it get ugly for the Jets Thursday night in Detroit?

Quarterback Play

Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick participated in one series, and looked decent in his only drive of the evening. He would have completed all three passes if tight end Jeff Cumberland didn’t drop a pass that hit him in between the numbers.

Jets’ fans got a good long look at fourth-round pick quarterback Bryce Petty. According to Newsday reporter Kimberley Martin via Twitter, even Petty was shocked to get that much playing time:

How could you blame him? Petty spent most of the offseason working with the third team behind quarterbacks Geno Smith and Fitzpatrick. Then days before the preseason opener, he’s faced with playing 95 percent of the game after Fitzpatrick sits. Bowles opted to keep No. 3 quarterback Jake Heaps glued to the bench for the entire game.

Petty (10-18, 50 yards) struggled, but didn’t turn the ball over or make any critical errors. It was a matter of shaking off the jitters of stepping on the field with the pros and learning how to run an pro-style offense. Realistically the outcome could have been worse, but Petty handled himself well under short notice.

Rushing Attack Still Potent

Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Former head coach Rex Ryan and former offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg infamously utilized the ground-and-pound attack with struggling quarterbacks in 2014. Bowles and his staff evenly mixed the play calls despite playing a rookie quarterback for nearly the entire game. Petty threw 18 times and the running backs ran the ball 18 times with the rookie at the helm.

The backfield looked sharp with Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell combining for 14 carries and 60 yards on the ground. Running back Zac Stacy (3 carries, 9 yards) took handoffs late in the third quarter when the Jets passed on most downs after falling behind the Lions 20-3.

Very Few Bright Spots on Defense

You’d expect a Bowles-coached team to exhibit far better tackling techniques than the Jets displayed Thursday night. Lions’ rookie running back Ameer Abdullah embarrassed Demario Davis and generated a Twitter buzz as electric as his slashing runs through the Jets’ sluggish defense.

By the second half, the entire defense looked gassed, but two reserve players flashed potential despite giving up 23 points.

Cornerback Marcus Williams picked off a Kellen Moore pass before the end of the first half and played well with the exception of giving up a couple of grabs. Williams put on the best performance of any defensive back on the field for the Jets. The first unit surrendered a touchdown and Dexter McDougle struggled in coverage.

Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Rookie linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin nearly sacked Moore twice. Unfortunately, Moore was able to escape on one occasion and benefited from a roughing the passer penalty in the second situation.

It’s good to see Mauldin providing some pocket pressure from the outside. As time progresses those hurries will turn into sacks.

Bottom Line

Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

The hoopla surrounding the IK Enemkpali-Smith incident clearly affected the Jets rotations. As a veteran, Fitzpatrick was able to handle the curveball, but the rookie, Petty struggled to move the ball without much preparation with better talent on the field.

More reps during practice should help Petty along, and according to Bowles they’ll spoon-feed him a significant number reps before the second preseason game. Petty will continue to go through growing pains, but it’s best that he take his bumps and bruises now.

Bowles also spoke about cleaning up poor tackling techniques. The defense must also work on conditioning with the idea Petty may continue to get extended time on the field, which means more three-and-outs and pressure on the defense to make stops.

Next: Who is the greatest QB in franchise history?

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