East Rutherford, NJ - So this is what the New York Jets defense looked like with the best cornerback in football Darrelle Revis out with a torn ACL in his left knee, a 34-0 loss to the 49ers at MetLife Stadium. Not a good look, particularly since the San Francisco 49ers spent the week in Ohio rather than travel back home after getting beat by the Minnesota Vikings last week. Considering the 34-0 loss, Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan, not only needs to worry about the Jets defense, but he also needs to be concerned with the 11 players on the offensive team.
With a crowd of 79,088 peppered with San Francisco red, the Mark Sanchez led Jets sputtered as their first three possessions ended in two punts and a fumble. Tim Tebow completed his first pass of the year, but tight end Dedrick Epps gets blasted by C.J. Spillman causing the turnover. It didn't get any better for Sanchez the next time the Jets had the ball. Starting on their own 47 after a horrible Andy Lee punt, Sanchez moves Gang Green to the San Fran 25 yard line. Scrambling left as the pocket protection broke down. Sanchez gets hit by Aldon Smith who then recovers the fumble. 9ers QB Alex Smith moves his team 56 yards on six plays resulting in a 36-yard David Akers field goal and a 10-0 halftime lead.
It was Deja Vu for Sanchez and the offense to start the third quarter as they turned the ball over again the first time they touched the ball. Attempting a short pass to Shaun Greene from his own 46, Sanchez is picked off by Patrick Willis after the ball is tipped by tackle Will Tukuafu. No harm was done as Akers misses a 40-yard field goal attempt but it stalled whatever momentum the Jets were trying to establish. The 9ers extended the lead to 17-0 after a Smith six-play, 52-yard drive. The big play, a 25-yard reception by Delanie Walker. The next turnover sealed the Jets fate and started the mass exodus by the New York faithful.
After completing a 4-yard pass, Santonio Holmes twisted his right knee as he fell to the turf. Holmes rolls over writhing in pain as the ball comes out of his hand and is picked up by Carlos Rogers who runs 51 yards for the backbreaking touchdown. The play was reviewed but the call was not overturned. The clock could not move fast enough for the Jets as they were completely outplayed in every facet by San Francisco.
How ugly was it for the New York Jets? The defense that Ryan touted as his best since he's been here, allowed 245 rushing yards. Three 49er backs ran for more than 50 yards. On offense, the Jets only gained 45 yards rushing. The offensive line didn't help Sanchez either. He was pressured almost every time he dropped back to pass, completing only 13 of 29 passes.
Said Sanchez of the team's overall performance, "this is not the way we imagined this game going. We just left too many opportunities out on the field."
Ryan was clearly steamed afterward using language he had to apologize for. Parents may want to shield their kids from the following quote.
"I apologize for my language," he began his postgame press conference. "Because I was going to say we got our butt kicked. But really, we got our ass kicked. There's no two ways ins or outs about it."
He then dissected how the ass whipping took place.
"We go in and it should be 7-3 at halftime. It's 10-0 because of the mistakes we make. Then we come out, turn the ball over four times. Here's the recipe for getting our ass kicked: 2 for 13 on third down that 15%, four turnovers, a blocked punt when they rush one guy and give up 245 rushing. How's that for a recipe."
Rex Ryan will allow his team the next two days off in order to let his team reflect on the loss.
Starting from the coaching staff to the players, they will need that time to get it together as they have the undefeated Houston Texans coming to New Jersey next Monday night.