Grading the Jets after their 17-16, season-opening loss to the Bills at MetLife Stadium on Sunday:
Offense
The defense handed the offense the ball three times in the first half off turnovers and the Jets failed to score each time. They had 11 possessions in the game and only one ended with a score. Adam Gase’s debut was a dud. QB Sam Darnold (28 of 41, 175 yards, 1 TD) was under constant pressure, getting sacked four times. The offensive line had no answers for Buffalo’s blitzes. WR Jamison Crowder (14 catches, 99 yards) and RB Le’Veon Bell (17 rushes, 60 yards, 6 catches, 32 yards, 1 TD) were the only bright spots.
Grade: F
Defense
If this was a grade for the first three quarters, it would be an A. But the unit collapsed in the fourth quarter, surrendering two touchdowns to blow the game. Buffalo finished the game with 370 yards. The Jets forced four turnovers and scored eight points on their own. LB C.J. Mosley (5 tackles, 1 INT returned for a TD, 1 fumble recovery, 2 passes defensed) was everywhere, and the game changed when he exited with a groin injury in the fourth quarter.
Grade: C
Special teams
The kicking situation went from bad to worse, with Kaare Vedvik missing a 45-yard field goal attempt and an extra point. When you lose by one point, that stings. Vedvik could be out of a job by Wednesday. Punter Lachlan Edwards (7 punts, 43.4 average, 5 punts inside the 20) is the only reason this grade is not an F. The Jets did nothing in the return game.
Grade: D
Coaching
The offense had no flow after a summer of talking about how creative and explosive it could be and Gase had no solutions. The defense played well for three quarters, but Gregg Williams’ group fell apart in crunch time. The Jets now have seven days to fix things before the Browns come to town.
Grade: D