The New York Jets wore throwback New York Titans' uniforms against the Philadelphia Eagles but it did not help. Jets' uniforms or Titans' uniforms – they were still the 2007 New York Jets, the sorry team with inept offense and horrible defense that just keeps giving up big plays. The Gang Green fell to the Eagles, 9-16, and are now 1-5.
The start of the game was very promising, as RB Thomas Jones gained 47 yards on the first two plays from scrimmage. Then, the drive stalled as soon as QB Chad Pennington had to throw the football. The Gang Green failed to convert a 3rd and 2 from the Eagles’ 12-yard line and had to settle for a field goal, 3-0. The defense then also had a promising start, sacking Donovan McNabb on the first play. Then, however, just like in the weeks before they showed their inability to tackle properly and their prowess to give up big plays. On a 3rd and 8 they gave up a 75-yard touchdown pass that put Philadelphia on top, 7-3. This was the first of a total of nine third down attempts allowed by New York in this game. The offense went back to work and it was Thomas Jones again gaining yards on the ground. When it was Pennington’s time to throw, you guessed it…. He failed again. The Jets failed to convert a 3rd and 3 inside the Eagles’ territory and once again had to settle for a field goal. This time, however, PK Mike Nugent kicked it wide right.
As the second quarter began, the Eagles converted a field goal attempt and extended their lead to 10-3. On the ensuing kickoff RB Leon Washington returned the ball 51 yards and it seemed like the Jets had the momentum going. On the next play Pennington finally connected with WR Laveranues Coles for 27 yards, giving the Jets a 1st and goal on Philadelphia’s 10-yard line. Unfortunately, just like in the first quarter, the drive stalled and the Gang Green kicked another field goal, 10-6. Later in the quarter Philadelphia missed two field goal attempts.
In the third quarter the Eagles extended their lead to 13-6 and then Chad Pennington threw another interception that put Philadelphia in field goal range again. The defense held up but the Eagles scored another field goal, making this a 2-score game, 16-6.
The defense finally came up big in the fourth quarter when CB Hank Poteat intercepted McNabb inside the Eagles’ territory. Pennington and company then went three and out, looking as inept as they had been the entire game. Nugent kicked a 30-yard field goal and this became a one score game again, 16-9. Less than two minutes later the Jets got the ball back close to midfield and began methodically moving it down the field. The “dink and dank” offense was suddenly working, as we saw the Gang Green convert two third downs and move the ball inside the Eagles’ 15-yard line. Thomas Jones gained 9 yards on the first down and it was 2nd and 1 on Philadelphia’s 4-yard line. Jones ran for no gain on the second down, then Pennington was stopped for no gain on quarterback sneak, and finally Pennington failed to deliver to Coles in the end zone on the fourth down. One can only wonder why Thomas Jones, who had his best game as a Jet, wasn’t given the ball on at least one of the last two downs. There was still plenty of time left in the game but the defense failed on third downs again, allowing Philadelphia to run the clock out.
The Jets fell to 1-5 but for Eric Mangini this is still not enough to change quarterbacks. Chad Pennington has been absolutely atrocious in the last three games, averaging two interceptions per game. His quarterback ratings were 84.8 against the Bills in week 4, 51.7 against the Giants in week 5, and 51.3 today against the Eagles. How many games do we have to lose until Mangini finally realizes that it’s time for a change and Pennington is just not the guy anymore? It’s only October and our season is basically over, but there are still ten games to be played and plenty of time to see if, maybe, Kellen Clemens is the quarterback who can lead this team in the future.
Next Sunday the Jets will travel to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals. The kickoff time is at 4:05PM EST.