The organization all the experts scoffed at, the New York Jets, just clobbered the Miami Dolphins led by rookie Jamal Adams.
- New York Jets 20 (1-2)
- Miami Dolphins 6 (1-1)
- NFL, Week 3, Final, Box Score
- MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
It’s tough to believe in any move Mike Maccagnan makes these days. To blindly follow the man and hold faith after such a disastrous season in 2016 is rough going.
But if you’re a football guy, you knew the release of certain veterans like Darrelle Revis, Nick Mangold, Eric Decker and David Harris wasn’t anything that would destroy the team. In fact, it would only help move the team into the future.
Despite media naysayers, the club plowed forward. And make no mistake about it: while this team isn’t a contender of any sorts, they’re not the “worst roster in a decade,” as some have proclaimed.
The 2017 New York Jets just showcased that on Sunday in Week 3 of National Football League action when they clobbered the Miami Dolphins by the final of 20-0.
From start to finish, New York dominated Miami. It looked as though the Phins roster was the one that was tank-worthy. It looked as though the Phins were keeping that oft-eye on Sam Darnold.
The score was 3-0 in favor of New York when suddenly, MetLife erupted. Thanks to Miami playing eight in the box on a 2nd-and-8, Josh McCown unleashed a bomb down the right sideline. It looked as though it was overthrown at first, but speedster Robby Anderson ran underneath it in beautiful fashion for the 69-yard score:
McCown finished the day 18-of-23 for 249 yards and that deep touchdown. He was firmly in control of the offense and playing well behind a solid offensive line who seemed to gain its legs without Brian Winters at right guard.
Early in the third quarter, Bilal Powell extended the lead to 17-0 on a goalline rush bounced to the outside:
This was the first game of the young campaign the Jets offense was afforded a solid rushing attack. In all, the team ran for 103 yards on 34 carries. Powell (37), Matt Forte (25) and Elijah McGuire (34) all chipped in.
As great as the offense was, the defense was better.
Jamal Adams is already one of the best safeties in the NFL and it’s no exaggeration. He can play the deep half, attack the edge, fill run support, man centerfield and even rush the passer:
Adams manned the backend with his rookie partner Marcus Maye and witnessed a front-seven that performed a magic trick on Sunday. They actually came to play.
Muhammad Wilkerson, Leonard Williams, Darron Lee and Demario Davis were all tough and intelligent in filling run gap responsibility. Jay Ajayi was a scary proposition for the worst rushing defense in the league coming into the game. Once the game was done, Ajayi’s total 16 yards on 11 carries forced the last laugh to go to Todd Bowles‘s defense.
Like Ajayi, Jay Cutler also struggled. Cutler’s final line of 26-for-44 for 220 yards, one touchdown and one pick felt much worse than the stats appear. He found DeVante Parker late for a score in garbage time. He was sacked three times as the Jets pass rush finally showed face in 2017.
Jets corner Terrence Brooks finished with two interceptions. One came via Cutler and the other on a fake punt.
Now sitting with a 1-2 record, the Jets will actually look to begin a winning streak. They’ll welcome in the hot Jacksonville Jaguars to MetLife Stadium next Sunday.