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This game featured a perfect blueprint for Mark Sanchez to succeed – a great running game complimented by a ball control passing attack . . .
The Jets mid-second quarter TD drive was all about the running backs. On the fourth play of this possession, Sanchez dumped to Shonn Greene on the left side, and he ran for 14 yards.
On the next play, Sanchez attempted a pass down the deep right side to Holmes, and it was incomplete. CB Brandon Carr was in tight coverage. The deep passing game to Holmes hasnât been particularly effective this year. On this play, he just wasnât open.
Two plays later, they Jets took advantage of a major mismatch â LaDainian Tomlinson running a short crossing route with LB Derrick Johnson covering him. He took this short pass and was off to the races, and finishing with a 31-yard gain.
The drive ended with a pair of Greene runs, first for six-yarder, and then a seven-yard touchdown.
After a KC three-and-out, the Jets got the ball back late in the second quarter, and were given very good field position by a 26-yard punt return by Jeremy Kerley. They started on the Chiefs 35. Four plays later they were in the end zone on a 19-yard screen to LT on the right side.
So the theme of the second quarter offensively was Sanchez throwing to running backs, and the runners doing a nice job of getting YAC â yards after the catch. The Jets screen game has really come in recently.
The score was 28-3 at the half, and the game was essentially over.
The Jets first possession of the third quarter was a three-and-out.
The Jets next drive is probably the reason Todd Haley was fired today in Kansas City. The Chiefs imploded and were called for five penalties, which were a huge key to this 6-play, 90-yard drive. The Jets got 46 yards on a pair of pass interference calls, which were both borderline flags.
This weird possession ended with a Sanchez scramble up the middle for three yards and a touchdown.
The Jets only score of the fourth quarter was a safety.
This game was the perfect formula for the Jets offense â a great running game, and Sanchez throwing between 20-30 passes; he finished 13 of 21.
Santonio Holmes finished with two catches for 21 yards, and Plaxico Burress had no catches. But to Burressâ credit, he didnât complain, and did a terrific job blocking. On the LT 19-yard screen for a touchdown, Burress had one of the key blocks.
The only criticism of the passing game would be the lingering problem of Sanchez and Burress/Holmes not always being on the same page. On that long third quarter TD drive that was greatly assisted by KC penalties, Sanchez threw three incompletions to Burress (on one of them, the Jets were helped by another borderline call for roughing the passer). There are too many passes that are so off the mark. It makes you realize that they are still attempting to get on the same page.
The next premium article will be look at the blockers, and that will post by 9:30 pm this evening.