The Jets had been playing their best football of 2020 when they traveled to New England to take on the Patriots, but even that was not enough for New York to knock off its arch-rival for the first time in five years.
In what could have been his final game with the Jets, Sam Darnold tossed a costly interception that allowed the Patriots to jump out to a 21-14 lead early in the fourth quarter. New York failed to equalize from that point on, capping its 2020 season with a 28-14 loss to New England.
With 2020 mercifully over, it’s now on to a crucial offseason. With impending decisions on Darnold and Adam Gase’s future nearing, as well as the free agency period and the draft on the horizon, Joe Douglas is going to be a busy man as he works to turn the Jets from a 2-14 team into a competitive one.
Game Balls
TE Chris Herndon: Herndon was the Jets’ lone bright spot offensively, catching seven passes for 63 yards and a touchdown in the second quarter. He struggled mightily throughout 2020, but Herndon came to life in New York’s last two games. That could be something for him to build on heading into next season.
OLB Frankie Luvu: Luvu was quick off the edge against the Patriots, registering five tackles, one sack, one TFL, one quarterback hit and one pass deflection. He was an integral part of New York’s pass rush over its final three games.
Quick Thoughts
-How did Gase spend his final game as Jets head coach? By dialing up the same conservative play-calling that has largely contributed to his downfall. It would have been nice to see Gase open things up and let Darnold take chances downfield, but that’s just not in his DNA. Even when he is coaching for nothing and Darnold is playing for everything.
-Sticking with Darnold, odds are he has thrown his final pass as a Jet. After three seasons of turnover-filled and inconsistent play, it’s time for both parties to move on. If that indeed happens, Darnold’s career with New York ended in an appropriate fashion: an interception on a pass into double coverage that put the nail in the coffin of a Jets loss was nearly his last throw of the game.
-Sans New York’s blowout loss to the Seahawks, Frank Bush did a good job with the Jets’ defense after taking over for Gregg Williams. The unit steadily improved in all areas and resembled a competent one by the end of the season. Bush deserves credit for making that happen, even if his group did not do enough to help the Jets cap 2020 with a win.
-Should the Jets be worried about Mekhi Becton’s durability heading into the next season? He dealt with an assortment of injuries throughout his rookie season and that continued against the Patriots when he left with an ankle injury in the third quarter. It’s probably too early to push the panic button on any potential injury concerns, but Becton is a big man. His frame could make him susceptible to more knicks and bruises in 2021 and beyond.
-Two games, two touchdown catches for Herndon. It’s about time the Jets got him more involved in the passing game. Maybe 2021 could be the year he puts it all together.
-Ty Johnson was a really nice find by Joe Douglas. He and La’Mical Perine combine to give the Jets two solid running backs entering 2021. The position could still use a little bit of work in the offseason, though.
-He might not necessarily be a top priority this offseason, but the Jets should certainly look into bringing Neville Hewitt back. At the very least, he’s a key depth piece for New York at middle linebacker — a position that has been ravaged by injuries the last two seasons.
-It would have been nice to see Denzel Mims more involved in the Jets’ passing attack prior to his departure with a concussion. He ends the season on a quiet note after coming on strong midway through his rookie year.
-New York’s 2-14 finish marks the first time in franchise history it has finished with such a record. A fitting end to such an unfathomably bad season.