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So much to get into in our post-game Whispers from the Jets’ win over Kansas City. Let’s get this underway . . .
It was pretty obvious what happened today with the Jets’ awful coverage early in the game on tight end Travis Kelce (two touchdowns), and then later in the game in wide receiver Tyreek Hill (two touchdowns).
Kelce was killing the Jets early. We all know the Jets aren’t great at covering tight ends.
So they started to double Kelce, and at that point Hill took advantage of single-coverage.
After the game, I asked Mo Claiborne why he had no help on Hill’s 40-yard TD pass in the fourth quarter, and he said the safety went underneath to deal with Kelce.
So that is your verdict on the poor coverage on Kelce early, and then the poor coverage on Hill late. It was a “pick your poison” situation . . .
The Chiefs’ defense was pretty awful today.
Three personnel issues are hurting them.
First off, they lost their one of the best safeties in football, Eric Berry, to a season-ending achilles injury in Week One.
Secondly, they let their run-stuffing nose tackle, Dontari Poe, leave in free agency, hurting their run defense.
Third, two key edge-rushers, aside from Justin Houston, Tamba Hali and Dee Ford, are both injured and have missed a lot of time, including today’s game. Both were inactive today. So with Hali and Ford out, it’s easier to double-team Houston.
Hey, the Jets’ offense played great today, and deserve credit, but the Chiefs certainly have defensive problems . . .
Not sure enough people truly give Josh McCown enough credit for the level he’s playing at right now.
Today he was 26-36 for 331 yards and a 109.8 QB rating and led the Jets to 38 points. Keep in mind, a couple of weeks ago, Eli Manning, who so many people feel so bad for now, was 19-35 for 205 yards, a 71.7 QB rating and put up 12 points (including overtime). Same Chiefs defense, same venue.
Today, McCown threw 10 passes to Jermaine Kearse completing nine for 157 yards.
McCown did so many good things today, but I want to focus on two plays that point out his level of awareness and intellect at the QB position.
*Early in the fourth quarter, on a third-and-four, McCown threw a deep out to Kearse on the left side. Kearse made a great catch, but some wondered if he got two feet in bounds. So McCown, aware of the possibility of Andy Reid throwing the challenge flag, rushes up to the line and gets a play off, a short pass to Matt Forte for a yard. This drive ended up with a field goal. Without this play, they probably aren’t in field goal range.
*On the Jets’ next drive, they had a third-and-six early on this possesion, and McCown was under intense pressure, and almost got sacked, but moved around to create time, and under great duress, hit Chad Hansen for a gain of 12. This was a great play, an underrated play in this game. This drive ended with a touchdown. Without this play, the Jets punt.
McCown is a zone right now. He’s in a system he loves with coaches that truly believe in him. I’ve said it on a number of occasions – if he’s healthy, he should be the Jets’ QB next year. It’s a no-brainer. Same age as Drew Brees, and younger than Tom Brady.
December 3, 2017
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