The Week 6 edition of “Monday Night Football” between the New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals couldn’t have been uglier if a script existed.
- New York Jets 3 (1-5)
- Arizona Cardinals 28 (3-3)
- NFL, Week 6, Final, Box Score
- University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
This is not an overstatement.
What you, the viewer watched was an all-timer in terms of sloppy football and downright terrible execution. There were penalties galore (19 in total for 147 yards).
Though the final score suggests the Arizona Cardinals played a wonderful brand of football, those who took in the Week 6 Monday Night Football affair understand what really transpired.
The New York Jets, once again, proved why they’re one of the worst football teams in the National Football League, murderous schedule or not.
Todd Bowles continued to place his personnel out of position. Sheldon Richardson, partly due to the loss of David Harris, was seen playing the middle linebacker spot early in the game. One such occasion led to the first touchdown of the game, a David Johnson 58-yard touchdown rumble that actually turned out easier than it looked:
David Johnson's patience is unbelievable.
This is the longest TD run of his career… 58 YARDS! #MNF #NYJvsAZ https://t.co/6nCOgCBrdf
— NFL (@NFL) October 18, 2016
Johnson finished the night with 111 yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries.
His other two TD’s came via the untouched route near the goal line.
For the 2nd time tonight…
TOUCHDOWN, @dajohnson7! #MNF #NYJvsAZ pic.twitter.com/alG75KcxbA
— NFL (@NFL) October 18, 2016
Another one.
? @dajohnson7 #NYJvsAZ pic.twitter.com/9SPsGs07e5
— NFL (@NFL) October 18, 2016
Through the air, Bruce Arians’s squad didn’t have to do much. Carson Palmer finished with a very workmanlike 213 yards and a late score to Michael Floyd on 23-of-34.
After review…
Call on the field STANDS.Palmer. Floyd. @AZCardinals TOUCHDOWN. #NYJvsAZ https://t.co/Q4JxjOk8Ri
— NFL (@NFL) October 18, 2016
Offensively, forget about it.
Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Jets offensive unit was a disaster from jump street. There was no flow, no imagination all night long. The Cards defense sniffed out any and all three-step plays Chan Gailey showcased from that very thin arsenal of his.
Fitz and the unit were so bad that Bowles finally made a QB change midway through the 4th-quarter:
It's Geno Time. #NYJvsAZ pic.twitter.com/1LIGWiSKk8
— NFL (@NFL) October 18, 2016
While Geno Smith‘s determined attitude lifted the morbid Jets fans’ spirit a bit, he, also, could not make a difference. After completing a few passes underneath Arizona’s loose coverage, he threw a pick on a 4th-and-11 to The Honeybadger, Tyrann Mathieu.
HONEY BADGER DON'T CARE!@Mathieu_Era picks off Geno Smith ? #NYJvsAZ https://t.co/nHzDKbCkWT
— NFL (@NFL) October 18, 2016
Back to Fitz, for a moment. His final stat-line consisted of 174 yards and another red zone interception on a pedestrian 16-of-31 passing.
Fitz looks to the end zone…
Fitz gets PICKED. #NYJvsAZ https://t.co/KgfiB72PZn
— NFL (@NFL) October 18, 2016
When things are going this bad, there isn’t one specific thing to point to. Personnel, coaching, strategy — it’s all fair game in the criticism department at this time.
The win boosts the Cards record to an even 3-3 while the loss puts the Jets at a disastrous 1-5 with a home date in Week 7 against John Harbaugh’s Baltimore Ravens.
Game Notes:
The Jets offensive line and running game were just as bad as any unit wearing green and white. The line allowed only one sack but put both Fitz and Geno in too many hurry situations.
Matt Forte carried the ball nine times for just 19 yards. Bilal Powell went for 10 on two attempts.
