New York Jets: Takeaways from win over Tennessee Titans
By Manny Campos
The New York Jets dominated the Tennessee Titans in Week 14 showing an all-around offensive attack that proved to be too much for the over matched Titans. All told, the Jets accumulated over 400 yards of total offense and destroyed Tennessee from the opening whistle. Now that the Jets are 8-5 and are one of three clear favorites in a tight AFC wild-card chase, let’s check out the takeaways from Sunday’s win.
Dominating Offense
All hail Ryan Fitzpatrick! Any Jets fan put down Ryan Fitzpatrick for his poor showings during the Jets mid-season swoon is eating crow after the last two games. Fitzpatrick was masterful again on Sunday, throwing for 263 yards and three more touchdowns to raise his season total to 25. That mark represents a career high for Fitzpatrick and puts him within four of Vinny Testaverde‘s Jets season record of 29. Fitzpatrick has a real shot to break that record with three games left. It has been a truly magical season for the nomadic Fitzpatrick who may have finally found a home with Gang Green.
As wonderful as Fitzpatrick has been, he would not be having the season he is without Brandon Marshall. Marshall has been utterly amazing for the Jets all season long. In this game alone he put up 125 yards receiving and a touchdown and has amassed eight 100 yard receiving games this season. If Fitzpatrick has been a great addition, then Marshall has to be considered a god-send. He has been dominant and has opened up the offense for the rest of the Jets players. Fitzpatrick, Eric Decker, and Chris Ivory all owe a debt of gratitude to Marshall because without him then no one would be nearly as successful as they have been this year.
Dominating Defense
Yes it was only the Titans, who boast a good but still young Marcus Mariota and a set of skill position players that isn’t the greatest, but any time this defense can have this kind of performance it should be celebrated. During the Jets' mid-season slide, nobody’s stock took a hit as bad as the defense’s did. They went from elite to easily beat during that five-week span and have had to overcome a lot of adversity. To their collective credit they have stayed mentally strong and held together enough to once again be a force for this team.
The absolute star of this game was Muhammad Wilkerson, who posted three total sacks, two tackles for loss, and a deflected pass. It was a dominant performance that couldn’t be ignored. Wilkerson actually looked like the best player on the field on Sunday – or at least tied with Marshall – because the man in front of him was totally over matched. This is a great sign for a Jets team that has struggled to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks all year long. They will need to hold up their performance over the last three weeks if they want to make a playoff push.
Playoffs
Speaking about the playoffs, the Jets have now separated themselves, along with the Chiefs and Steelers, in the AFC wild-card race. These three teams are now two games clear of the pack with only three games left to play. It’s pretty safe to say that two of them will get in and the other will be a very good team that gets left out. Looking ahead, the Jets have a very winnable game against Dallas next week followed by tough divisional games against the Patriots and the Bills. The Chiefs face the Ravens next followed by the Browns and the Raiders. Meanwhile, the Steelers go against Denver, followed by the Ravens and the Bills.
Of the three teams it looks as though the Chiefs have the easiest road to the playoffs and they will probably make it in. That leaves the Jets to fight it out with the Steelers for the last spot. This is the NFL, though, and as easily as the Chiefs have won their last seven games, they could lose the next three. It will be an interesting and competitive race during these last three weeks. Let’s just hope the Jets can continue their recent run of dominance.
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