Jets Week 8 report card: Jeff Ulbrich looks overwhelmed by this total mess

Grading the Jets’ 25-22 loss to the Patriots on Sunday at Gillette Stadium.

Offense

The offense looked out of sync for much of Sunday’s game … again.

The Jets had to use three timeouts in the first quarter and had two delay of game penalties, including one on a two-point conversion try.

QB Aaron Rodgers (17 of 28, 233 yards, 2 TDs, 111.2 rating) did not have any critical mistakes this week.

RB Breece Hall (16 rushes, 80 yards) had some big carries down the stretch, and the Jets had 112 yards rushing total.

WR Garrett Wilson (5 catches 113 yards) benefited from the attention paid to Davante Adams (4 catches, 54 yards) by the Patriots. 

Grade:

Defense 

The Patriots had long stretches of ineffective play, but they came up with the game-winning drive while the Jets defense crumbled.

The Patriots were 7 of 15 on third downs as the Jets repeatedly seemed to fall apart when they needed a stop.

Sauce Gardner gave up the 34-yard catch to Kayshon Boutte on the final drive to set up the game-winning touchdown.

Rhamondre Stevenson (L.) and Kayshon Boutte celebrate during the Patriots' win over the Jets on Oct. 27, 2024.
Rhamondre Stevenson (L.) and Kayshon Boutte celebrate during the Patriots’ win over the Jets on Oct. 27, 2024. AP

QB Jacoby Brissett (15 of 24, 132 yards, 3 rushes, 11 yards) made some big plays down the stretch to pull out the win for the Pats.

The Jets were better against the run but gave up 57 yards on scrambles by Brissett and Drake Maye. 

Grade:

Special teams

The Jets have to be in the market for a new kicker.

Greg Zuerlein missed an extra point and a 44-yard field goal — they ended up losing the game by three points — and has now missed six field goals this season.

Zuerlein was not the only issue on special teams.

They gave up a 62-yard punt return in the third quarter that set up a Patriots touchdown. 

Grade:

Coaching

Jeff Ulbrich looks on during the Jets' loss to the Patriots on Oct. 27, 2024.
Jeff Ulbrich looks on during the Jets’ loss to the Patriots on Oct. 27, 2024. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

The Jets are a total mess, and that reflects poorly on everyone, including the coaches.

Jeff Ulbrich seems overwhelmed by having both head coaching and defensive coordinator duties.

The defense has taken a step back since Robert Saleh was fired, and that may be because Ulbrich is doing too much.

Using three timeouts in the first quarter is almost unbelievable.

Todd Downing needs to find a way to speed things up.

The Jets are in a death spiral, and the coaches have not been able to snap them out of it. 

Grade: F

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