This article is part of our NFL Observations series.
That was a strange game. I had the Jets plus one, so that didn't go well, but I also had Melvin Gordon and the Jets defense (though also the Broncos defense in other leagues), and both scored unexpected TDs in the fourth quarter. It could have been a lot worse, I suppose.
- Sam Darnold took six sacks, but didn't turn the ball over, and he salvaged his day with a great 46-yard TD scramble. There's no doubt about his physical talent, but it's hard to tell whether his decision making or his environment is the primary thing holding him back. He was also knocked out of the game after being slammed to the turf on his shoulder, and though he returned, we'll see how it fares over the next couple days.
- Jamison Crowder (10-7-104) immediately re-established himself as the team's top dog. Jeff Smith (9-7-81) was also heavily involved. Chris Herndon -- after a ton of preseason hype -- barely exists.
- Sam Ficken missed a field goal initially, but it was negated by a questionable personal foul penalty (more on that below), kicked a shorter one later in the drive, then went 5-for-5 after seemingly regaining his confidence. He even bailed out Darnold with a 54-yarder after Darnold took a bad sack. The level of kicking in the NFL is miles ahead of where it was 20 years ago.
- Brett Rypien looked okay in his first start. He was accurate for the most part and willing to take shots down the field. He did throw three interceptions, including a bad pick six that brought the Jets back in the fourth quarter.
- Melvin Gordon had nowhere to go most of the game, but his 43-yard game-sealing TD run turned it into a nice day. He also scored a short TD near the goal line.
- Tim Patrick (7-6-113-1) had a big game, while Jerry Jeudy did most of his work on a 48-yard TD catch on a would-be interception over CB Pierre Desir. (Desir got his revenge with two picks, including one he brought to the house.)
- Noah Fant was involved before hurting his ankle in the second half.
- Brandon McManus kicked three field goals, two of which were from 53 and 54 yards, respectively.
- There were way too many penalties in this game, and some of them were ticky tack, including a big PI call, the unnecessary roughness on the missed FG and some roughing the passers on mild QB hits. Ironically, the body-slam of Darnold that hurt his shoulder wasn't called.
- And even though I was on the Jets, the entirety of Staff Picks was on the Jets, and Rufus Peabody of Massey-Peabody was on them too, this is why I told Dalton Del Don on the podcast we were not using the Jets in the Supercontest this week, and if I am ever caught fighting to use the Jets to please institutionalize me.
