Last week QB Kellen Clemens arguably had the best game of his short NFL career. It all changed this week, as Clemens threw two interceptions in a losing effort against the Cleveland Browns, 18-24.
The Jets started the game with a fumbled kickoff that they were fortunate to recover at their 10-yard line, and then Clemens connected twice with WR Jerricho Cotchery moving the team close to midfield. The drive, however, got stalled on the Browns’ side of the field when Clemens got sacked on a 3rd and 7. Later in the quarter the teams exchanged scoreless possessions before FS Kerry Rhodes intercepted the ball deep in Cleveland’s territory on the last play of the quarter. This was Rhodes’ fourth interception in the last four games.
The Gang Green found themselves on the Browns’ 12-yard line and in an excellent position to take the lead. Then, four plays later, they had a 1st and goal from the 1-yard line, following Clemens’ fourth down run without a huddle. RB Thomas Jones lost a yard on the two runs that followed. On the third down Clemens threw an awful pass to Cotchery that was intercepted in the end zone. The opportunity was wasted and with less than two minutes to go in the quarter the Browns got on the scoreboard, as Jamal Lewis caught a 7-yard touchdown pass, 7-0. The Jets answered with a 35-yard field goal right before the period expired, 7-3.
On Cleveland’s third play in the second half, Anderson completed a 45-yard pass to Edwards, who leaped over rookie CB Darrelle Revis. Two plays later, Edwards made a one-handed grab over Revis in the end zone to give the Browns a 14-3 lead. Later in the quarter the Jets made it a one score game when PK Mike Nugent converted another field goal attempt, 14-6.
On the ensuing possession the Browns scored a field goal of their own, extending the lead back to 11 points, 17-6. The Jets attempted to answer right away but Clemens underthrew a pass to WR Wallace Wright that also was intercepted. With just three minutes left in the quarter Clemens finally scored on a 1-yard sneak, but the 2-point conversion pass to TE Chris Baker failed. New York then recovered an onside kick and looked poised to take over the lead but three straight no gains from the Browns’ 20-yard line basically ended their comeback attempt. Coach Mangini then decided to kick a field goal instead of going for it on a 4th and 10 and rely on another onside kick. Nugent was on target again, 17-15, but the onside kick was recovered by the Browns. The Jets still had all their timeouts left and almost two minutes left to play. Three plays later they were facing a 3rd and 4 from their own 31-yard line – their last opportunity to salvage the game. What happened on that play was probably something that we’d see again sometime in the future while watching the highlights of many Jets’ futile seasons. Jamal Lewis broke a few tackles, ran through half the Jets’ defense and scored... 24-15. Game over.
QB Kellen Clemens finished the game 24 of 41 for 286 yards, 0 TD, 2 INTs. RB Thomas Jones ran for 106 yards on 24 attempts. Despite playing injured, both WR Laveranues Coles and WR Jerricho Cotchery had good games. Coles caught 7 passes for 48 yards. Cotchery caught 6 passes for 119 yards. TE Chris Baker had a decent game again – 3 grabs for 48 yards.
Rookie MLB David Harris led the team with 9 tackles (5 solo). FS Kerry Rhodes made 4 tackles (3 solo) and intercepted a pass. The pass-rush was non-existent again – zero sacks and basically no pressure on the quarterback.
Next Sunday the Jets (3-10) will take on the undefeated New England Patriots (13-0) in Foxboro. Taking into consideration the scandal that followed the first meeting between these teams this year, it will be interesting to see just how badly the Patriots will want to punish the hapless Jets. The kickoff is at 1PM EST.