N.Y. Jets: Gang Spleen Finally Takes Flight

From the desk of: WALT MICHAELS' REVENGE

Cowboys  22

Jets           24

FINAL

Sam, I am, and despite my ponderous mononucleosis I am the man..!

Darnold leads the Jets to their first victory of the season with a heart matching the size of his swollen spleen.  He doesn't just beat the Dallas Cowboys, he befuddles them, eluding the rush and completing rather miraculous passes.  Darnold finds Jamison Crowder and Robby Anderson eleven times for 233 yards and a 92-yard touchdown play.  He connects with Ryan Griffin for another.  In all he targets six different receivers not named Le'Veon Bell.  Sure he threw an INT, but who cares!  Sam completes 23/32 (72%) attempts for 338 yards in his first game back.  He even makes the offensive line look good.  Behind them, Bell rushes 14 times for just 50 yards.  But Sam is only sacked twice (by Robert Quinn), and sustains just two other hits.  The extra time allows Sam to generate almost as much total yardage as Dallas in 21 fewer plays from scrimmage.

• PROBLEM: Just 56 yards on the ground, and 2/12 on third down conversions.
• QUESTION: Why isn't Bilal Powell being utilized more?

Much to my surprise coach Gregg Williams undermanned defense turns back the NFL's top offense.  They generate just one sack, but get in eight QB hits.  They yield 105 yards on 28 rushes by Ezekiel Elliott.  But with Amari Cooper hurt, the Jets coverage is blanket.  Tavon Austin leads all Dallas receivers with five receptions and 64 yards.  Dak Prescott throws no touchdowns.  And of course, there is Gang Green's decisive goal line stand.

It's not often teams get to defeat the Cowboys on Jerry Jones' birthday.

A job well done ...

Next Up: the New England Patriots.

N.Y. Jets: Vikings Add to Sam Darnold's Growing Pains

From the desk of:  WALT MICHAELS REVENGE

Week Seven

VIKINGS   37

JETS         17

FINAL

New York Jets: If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best.

So how is Sam Darnold faring against the best?

So far Jacksonville and Minnesota respectively have put him through his toughest challenges.  Against a reputable Jaguars defense during Week Four, Darnold completes 17/34 (50%) for 167 yards, with one touchdown, and no INTs.  The Jets most recent loss against Minnesota proves to be Darnold's worst performance, to date.  He completes 17/42 (40%) for 206-yards, with one touchdown and three interceptions.  The Jets lose both games by a combined 69-29 score.  For his part, Darnold is a combined 34/76 (44%) for 373 yards, two touchdowns, and three INTs.

In fairness to Darnold, his favorite receiver Quincy Enunwa - whom leads the team in targets - did not play against Minnesota, and will remain out in the weeks to come with an injured ankle.  Terrelle Pryor already out with an injury gets cut, while several dropped passes by receivers who did play further compound the matter.  Hell, Robby Anderson even throws a football in the direction of an official which earns him an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

Otherwise, three Viking sacks punctuate an overall bad day.

In his five other starts (against the Lions, Dolphins, Browns, Broncos, and Colts), Sam Darnold is 99/145 (68%) for 1,179 yards, eight touchdowns, and seven INTs.  The Jets go 3-2 in those games, outscoring their opponents by a 147-108 margin.

There's no denying the Jets selected a fine quarterback.  And at the present time, he could really use some help at receiver.  However, the team to a large extent is in rebuild mode, are they not?  That begs the question: to what extent does Mike Maccagnan seek out a receiver to help bail out his franchise quarterback?

Caution: if the Jets have a plan, I suggest they stick with it.

In the meantime, Darnold should give Phil Simms a call for advice on how to throw spirals in  blustery Northeast weather conditions.