CLEVELAND – Eric Mangini won the job as the Jets head coach because he was a success as the defensive coordinator for the New England Patriots. Naturally, you would think if the Jets had a strength it would be their defense. Think again.
You can talk all you want about the officials robbing the Jets. Yell and scream all you want about Chris Baker’s marvelous catch and how it should have been ruled a touchdown. Truth is, it was the Jets defense that cost them in their 20-13 loss to the Browns yesterday at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Yes, curious play calling by offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, and untimely interceptions by Chad Pennington hurt, so did a third-quarter fumble by Leon Washington at the Jets 9. And it sure looked as if Baker could have landed inbounds for a tying touchdown had he not been clobbered by Browns defensive back Brodney Pool. But it’s the Jets defense that came up small for three quarters allowing the Browns offense to build an insurmountable lead the offense couldn’t overcome.
The Browns came into the game with the league’s worst offense, averaging just 245.2 yards per game. Their rushing game had averaged just 68.2 yards. Those numbers led to the resignation of offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon last week. He was replaced by offensive line coach Jeff Davidson. For much of the game, the Jets made Davidson look like a genius.
The Browns rushed for 93 yards in the first-half alone and by midway through the third-quarter running back Reuben Droughns had rushed for more than 100 yards. A 10-3 Browns lead at halftime should have been 13-3 if kicker Phil Dawson had not shanked a 26-yard field goal attempt with 15 seconds left in the second quarter.
Though still in the game, the Jets were in trouble. Truth is the Browns only did what the rest of the Jets’ opponents have done all season. Mangini’s group had allowed 372.5 yards per game, the third most in the NFL. You figure when a bad offense meets a bad defense something has to give. It was the Jets, at least for three quarters anyway.
It looked hopeless when the Browns took a 20-3 lead. But a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Justin Miller gave the Jets some fire and the defense finally woke up. Going to the blitz, it would collect three sacks and stop a conservative Browns offense on four consecutive drives. But the hole proved too deep.
The Jets came here 4-3 with a real chance to make something of their season. The Browns were in turmoil, 1-5 with a new offensive coordinator and no confidence. Yet, the Jets gave them life.
This game was really lost on the opening drive of the third quarter. That’s when the Browns took the second-half kickoff and rammed it down the Jets’ throats. A seven-play, 57-yard drive ended with tight end Kellen Winslow catching a 30-yard touchdown pass to give the Browns a 17-3 lead.
We wondered how the Jets would handle prosperity. A victory here would have given them their third straight win for the first time since 2004 and they would have surpassed their entire victory total of last year. But Mangini’s defense couldn’t contain the Browns and the offense couldn’t make enough plays to get them back in the game.
Sure, the call on Baker’s catch hurt. But the play of the Jets defense for three quarters hurt more.