Schwartz: Jets Feeling Green
By Peter Schwartz
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While watching the Jets' 45-19 loss to the Eagles in Philadelphia, one question kept echoing in my mind…
What did the Jets do in practice this week?
From the start, it certainly looked like they had no idea what they were doing and when you think about what some of the players said after the game, you have to wonder if they actually prepared for this game or if they were looking ahead to the Giants.
"The defensive scheme the Eagles played threw us off," said Santonio Holmes.
Hmmm. Just wondering if that hit him when he fumbled, when he couldn't hold onto a pass that was intercepted or when he picked up that 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for mocking the Eagles after he scored a touchdown?
Holmes should be ashamed of himself for acting that way. He is a captain and is supposed to be a team leader. That was anything but leading by example.
Hey, at least Holmes spoke to reporters after the game. Plaxico Burress did not.
"There is nothing to talk about," said Burress, who scored a touchdown in the game.
Nothing to talk about? A team that is supposed to be a playoff contender lays an egg like that and there's nothing to talk about?
I think the Jets made a great decision in signing Burress. He has been terrific in the red zone, but not speaking to the media after a loss like that is not fair to his teammates. Why does he get to walk away but the others don't?
Other players made some interesting comments.
"We were out-executed," said David Harris. "We got our butts kicked."
"We didn't set the edges," said Donald Strickland when asked about the porous run defense.
I mean… did they watch any film on the Eagles this past week? Did they not go over things in meetings? Did they have the scout team pretending to be the Eagles in practice?
Let's be honest. The Jets wasted our time this week. They were an absolute disgrace from top to bottom. From the preparation by the coaches to the players' performance on the field, the Jets embarrassed themselves on Sunday in Philadelphia.
There's no way to sugarcoat this game. The Jets looked about as far from a playoff team as... well... their next opponent, the Giants. With playoff destiny in their hands, that performance was inexcusable. I figured that the Jets would have a tough game and I picked the Eagles to win 27-17, but there's no way that I could have imagined a result like this.
Despite the loss, the Jets are still in control of their playoff destiny.
The Jets are now tied with the Bengals at 8-6 for the 6th seed in the AFC. They both have 6-5 conference records but the Jets have the edge in common opponent and strength of victory tiebreakers over the Bengals.
So, if the Jets win their final two games against the Giants and Dolphins, they are in the playoffs.
Playoffs? Did you say playoffs? The Jets played like they want to watch the playoffs on television.
"We laid an egg today," said Holmes.
Unlike Humpty Dumpty, the Jets' egg hasn't fallen apart just yet. There's just a little crack. Miraculously, they can still make the playoffs.
The Jets have a lot of soul-searching to do before they step onto the practice field Tuesday. Sometimes a loss like that can linger, but the Jets have to find a way to turn the page quickly.
And the preparation had better be good this week. They will be facing a team as desperate as they are.
THE WEEK AHEAD
It's a short work week for the Jets as they face the Giants on Saturday at Met Life Stadium. After a day off Monday, the Jets will practice on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. This will be the 12th regular season meeting between the Jets and Giants with Big Blue holding a 7-4 edge.
JET LINERS
The Jets are now 0-9 all-time against the Eagles.
With Jim Leonhard out for the season after suffering a knee injury against the Chiefs, the Jets gave up 45 points. They also gave up 45 points to the Patriots last season in their first game after Leonhard suffered a broken leg.
That's all for now! Check back later in the week for a Jets/Giants preview!
Did you sit through the whole Jets debacle? Vent about it in the comments below...
