Top-50 New York Jets offensive performances of the past 15 years

Michael Nania counts down the best single-game offensive performances for the New York Jets since 2005. What have been the best individual Jets offensive performances over the past 15 seasons? I set out to answer that question. Only quarterbacks, wide receivers, and running backs are included (no tight end had a good enough game to make it). I took everything into account - not just the simple stats such as total yards, touchdowns, and passer rating. Overlooked contributions such as first downs, drops, sacks taken, and fumbles were considered. Efficiency was also a big factor. Yards per target, first down rate, net yards per pass play, and other measures of efficiency play a huge role. Every statistic considered was mashed together to create a one-number score that serves as the basis for the ranking, ranging from a score of 35.3 at #50 to 62.1 at #1. This is a difficult thing to accomplish. It's tough to put together a score that correctly values every number that can be tracked. I did my best, but there are certainly performances both vastly overrated and underrated on the totem pole. Keep in mind that this list is based entirely on statistics, so there are plenty of great performances left off the list that were underrated by the box score (Sam Darnold vs. the Texans comes to mind first). Also, the list is not based upon my personal preferences - there are some placements that even I disagree with! Feel free to voice your opinions on the list in the comment section. Without further ado, here are the 50 greatest offensive performances (statistically) by a New York Jet since 2005 - at least based on this analyst's scoring system. 50. Thomas Jones at Raiders, 2008 Week 7 Score: 35.27 24 carries, 159 yards, 0 touchdowns, 7 first downs (note: first down totals include touchdowns) 6.6 yards per carry, 29.2% first down rate (league average rushing first down rate is generally about 23.0%) 1 catch, 1 target, 0 yards 2 protection snaps, 0 pressures allowed 49. Shonn Greene at Bengals, 2009 Wild Card Score: 37.51 21 carries, 135 yards, 1 touchdown, 6 first downs 6.4 yards per carry, 28.6% first down rate 1 protection snap, 0 pressures allowed 48. Jerricho Cotchery at Titans, 2006 Week 1 Score: 37.59 9 catches, 11 targets, 99 yards, 1 touchdown, 6 first downs, 0 drops 9.0 yards per target, 54.5% first down rate 47. Santonio Holmes vs. Bills, 2013 Week 3 Score: 37.88 5 catches, 10 targets, 154 yards, 1 touchdown, 5 first downs, 1 drop 15.4 yards per target, 50.0% first down rate 46. Sam Darnold vs. Cowboys, 2019 Week 6 Score: 38.71 23/32, 338 yards, 13 first downs, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception, 2 sacks for 13 yards, 5 rushes for 1 yard and 1 first down 9.6 net yards per attempt, 38.2% passing first down rate, 113.8 passer rating 45. Brandon Marshall vs. Redskins, 2015 Week 6 Score: 38.96 7 catches, 9 targets, 111 yards, 1 touchdown, 6 first downs, 0 drops 12.3 yards per target, 66.7% first down rate 44. Jermaine Kearse vs. Panthers, 2017 Week 12 Score: 39.02 7 catches, 10 targets, 105 yards, 1 touchdown, 7 first downs, 0 drops 10.5 yards per target, 70.0% first down rate 43. Chad Pennington at Titans, 2006 Week 1 Score: 39.65 24/33, 319 yards, 16 first downs, 2 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, 2 sacks for 17 yards, 2 rushes for 7 yards and 0 first downs, 1 lost fumble 8.6 net yards per attempt, 45.7% passing first down rate, 123.2 passer rating 42. Bilal Powell vs. Dolphins, 2016 Week 15 Score: 39.83 16 carries, 84 yards, 0 touchdowns, 6 first downs 5.3 yards per carry, 37.5% first down rate 11 catches, 12 targets, 78 yards, 0 touchdowns, 4 first downs 15 protection snaps, 1 pressure allowed 41. Laveranues Coles at Titans, 2006 Week 1 Score: 39.87 8 catches, 10 targets, 153 yards, 0 touchdowns, 5 first downs, 0 drops 15.3 yards per target, 50.0% first down rate 40. Curtis Martin at Bills, 2005 Week 6 Score: 40.47 18 carries, 148 yards, 1 touchdown, 6 first downs 8.2 yards per carry, 33.3% first down rate 2 catches, 2 targets, 3 yards, 0 first downs 3 protection snaps, 0 pressures allowed 39. Santonio Holmes at Dolphins, 2012 Week 3 Score: 40.72 9 catches, 14 targets, 147 yards, 0 touchdowns, 7 first downs, 0 drops 10.5 yards per target, 50.0% first down rate 38. LaDainian Tomlinson at Colts, 2010 Wild Card Score: 40.81 16 carries, 82 yards, 2 touchdowns, 6 first downs 5.1 yards per carry, 37.5% first down rate 4 catches, 5 targets, 17 yards, 2 first downs 3 protection snaps, 1 pressure allowed 37. Jerricho Cotchery at Ravens, 2007 Week 2 Score: 41.43 7 catches, 11 targets, 165 yards, 0 touchdowns, 6 first downs, 0 drops 15.0 yards per target, 54.5% first down rate 36. Robby Anderson vs. Packers, 2018 Week 16 Score: 41.46 9 catches, 13 targets, 140 yards, 1 touchdown, 7 first downs, 1 drop 10.8 yards per target, 53.8% first down rate 35. Santonio Holmes vs. Texans, 2010 Week 11 Score: 41.68 7 catches, 12 targets, 126 yards, 2 touchdowsn, 6 first downs, 0 drops 10.5 yards per target, 50.0% first down rate 34. Shonn Greene vs. Chiefs, 2011 Week 14 Score: 41.74 24 carries, 129 yards, 1 touchdown, 3 first downs 5.4 yards per carry, 12.5% first down rate 3 catches, 3 targets, 58 yards, 2 first downs 3 protection snaps, 0 pressures allowed 33. Bilal Powell vs. Bills, 2016 Week 17 Score: 42.53 22 carries, 122 yards, 0 touchdowns, 7 first downs 5.5 yards per carry, 31.8% first down rate 3 catches, 3 targets, 15 yards, 3 first downs, 1 touchdown 3 protection snaps, 0 pressures allowed 32. Laveranues Coles at Bengals, 2007 Week 7 Score: 42.53 8 catches, 14 targets, 133 yards, 2 touchdowns, 6 first downs, 0 drops 15.7 yards per target, 60.0% first down rate 31. Robby Anderson vs. Panthers, 2017 Week 12 Score: 43.14 6 catches, 10 targets, 146 yards, 2 touchdowns, 5 first downs, 0 drops 14.6 yards per target, 50.0% first down rate 30. Jermaine Kearse vs. Chiefs, 2017 Week 13 Score: 43.42 9 catches, 10 targets, 157 yards, 0 touchdowns, 6 first downs, 0 drops 15.7 yards per target, 60.0% first down rate 29. Eric Decker at Bills, 2016 Week 2 Score: 43.55 6 catches, 8 targets, 126 yards, 1 touchdown, 7 first downs, 0 drops 15.8 yards per target, 87.5% first down rate 28. Chris Ivory at Dolphins, 2015 Week 4 Score: 43.57 29 carries, 166 yards, 1 touchdown, 9 first downs 5.7 yards per carry, 31.0% first down rate 0 catches, 2 targets 7 protection snaps, 0 pressures allowed 27. Brett Favre vs. Cardinals, 2008 Week 4 Score: 43.66 24/34, 289 yards, 14 first downs, 6 touchdowns, 1 interception, 2 sacks for 5 yards 7.9 net yards per attempt, 38.9% passing first down rate, 123.7 passer rating You probably scoffed at this ranking, and I'm with you! Six touchdowns (Jets franchise record) is an incredible feat. I would rank this game higher if I were doing it personally. The reason Favre lands this low is that, out of the 12 quarterback performances on the list, this game ranked 11th in both net yards per attempt and first down rate. Efficiency is very important here, and Favre's efficiency against Arizona was not quite elite despite the record-setting six touchdown passes. 26. Jerricho Cotchery at Titans, 2007 Week 16 Score: 44.00 6 catches, 8 targets, 126 yards, 1 touchdown, 7 first downs, 0 drops 15.8 yards per target, 87.5% first down rate 25. Ryan Fitzpatrick at Giants, 2015 Week 13 Score: 44.10 36/50, 390 yards, 22 first downs, 2 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, 3 sacks for 17 yards, 5 rushes for 22 yards and 1 first down 7.0 net yards per attempt, 41.5% passing first down rate, 107.9 passer rating 24. Sam Darnold at Redskins, 2019 Week 11 Score: 44.27 19/30, 293 yards, 15 first downs, 4 touchdowns, 1 interception, 2 sacks for 8 yards, 2 rushes for -3 yards and 0 first downs 8.9 net yards per attempt, 46.9% passing first down rate, 121.3 passer rating 23. Bilal Powell vs. Jaguars, 2017 Week 4 Score: 44.40 21 carries, 163 yards, 1 touchdown, 4 first downs 7.8 yards per carry, 19.0% first down rate 4 catches, 5 targets, 27 yards, 2 first downs 6 protection snaps, 0 pressures allowed 22. Robby Anderson vs. Broncos, 2018 Week 5 Score: 45.09 3 catches, 3 targets, 123 yards, 2 touchdowns, 2 first downs, 0 drops 41.0 yards per target, 66.7% first down rate 21. Mark Sanchez vs. Bills, 2012 Week 1 Score: 45.58 19/27, 266 yards, 15 first downs, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception, 0 sacks for 0 yards 9.9 net yards per attempt, 55.6% passing first down rate, 123.4 passer rating 20. Brandon Marshall vs. Patriots, 2015 Week 16 Score: 45.82 8 catches, 9 targets, 115 yards, 2 touchdowns, 7 first downs, 0 drops 12.8 yards per target, 77.8% first down rate 19. Shonn Greene at Raiders, 2009 Week 7 Score: 45.94 19 carries, 144 yards, 2 touchdowns, 6 first downs 7.6 yards per carry, 31.6% first down rate 18. Thomas Jones vs. Broncos, 2008 Week 13 Score: 46.61 16 carries, 138 yards, 2 touchdowns, 4 first downs 8.6 yards per carry, 25.0% first down rate 2 catches, 3 targets, 21 yards, 1 first down 17. Brandon Marshall vs. Dolphins, 2015 Week 12 Score: 47.08 9 catches, 11 targets, 131 yards, 2 touchdowns, 7 first downs, 0 drops 11.9 yards per target, 63.6% first down rate 16. Brandon Marshall vs. Giants, 2015 Week 13 Score: 47.31 12 catches, 13 targets, 131 yards, 1 touchdown, 8 first downs, 0 drops 10.1 yards per target, 61.5% first down rate 15. Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Redskins, 2015 Week 6 Score: 47.54 19/26, 253 yards, 15 first downs, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception, 0 sacks for 0 yards, 4 rushes for 31 yards, 2 first downs, and 1 touchdown 9.7 net yards per attempt, 57.7% passing first down rate, 113.1 passer rating 14. LaDainian Tomlinson at Bills, 2010 Week 4 Score: 49.02 19 carries, 133 yards, 2 touchdowns, 6 first downs 7.0 yards per carry, 31.6% first down rate 3 catches, 4 targets, 22 yards, 2 first downs 6 protection snaps, 0 pressures allowed 13. Laveranues Coles at Vikings, 2006 Week 15 Score: 49.05 12 catches, 13 targets, 144 yards, 1 touchdown, 8 first downs, 0 drops 11.1 yards per target, 61.5% first down rate 12. Chris Ivory vs. Redskins, 2015 Week 6 Score: 49.48 20 carries, 146 yards, 1 touchdown, 6 first downs 7.3 yards per carry, 30.0% first down rate 3 catches, 3 targets, 50 yards, 2 first downs 8 protection snaps, 1 pressure allowed 11. Sam Darnold vs. Packers, 2018 Week 16 Score: 49.76 24/35, 341 yards, 18 first downs, 3 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, 2 sacks for 18 yards, 3 rushes for 4 yards and 1 first down 8.7 net yards per attempt, 48.6% passing first down rate, 128.4 passer rating And now. . . the top-10. 10. Sam Darnold vs. Raiders, 2019 Week 12 Score: 51.09 20/29, 315 yards, 14 first downs, 2 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, 1 sack for 2 yards, 4 rushes for 16 yards and 1 touchdown 10.4 net yards per attempt, 46.7% passing first down rate, 127.8 passer rating 9. Bilal Powell at 49ers, 2016 Week 14 Score: 53.63 29 carries, 145 yards, 2 touchdowns, 11 first downs 5.0 yards per carry, 37.9% first down rate 5 catches, 5 targets, 34 yards, 0 first downs 10 protection snaps, 0 pressures allowed 8. Thomas Jones vs. Bills, 2009 Week 6 Score: 53.69 22 carries, 210 yards, 1 touchdown, 7 first downs 9.5 yards per carry, 31.8% first down rate 2 catches, 2 targets, 17 yards, 1 first down 3 protection snaps, 0 pressures allowed 7. Shonn Greene vs. Colts, 2012 Week 6 Score: 53.95 32 carries, 161 yards, 3 touchdowns, 9 first downs 5.0 yards per carry, 28.1% first down rate 2 protection snaps, 0 pressures allowed 6. Josh McCown vs. Chiefs, 2017 Week 13 Score: 54.27 26/36, 331 yards, 18 first downs, 1 touchdown, 0 interceptions, 0 sacks for 0 yards, 7 rushes for 19 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 5 first downs 9.2 net yards per attempt, 50.0% passing first down rate, 109.8 passer rating 5. Ryan Fitzpatrick at Bills, 2016 Week 2 Score: 54.84 24/34, 374 yards, 19 first downs, 1 touchdown, 0 interceptions, 1 sack for 4 yards, 5 rushes for 21 yards and 1 first down 10.6 net yards per attempt, 54.3% passing first down rate, 116.5 passer rating 4. Eric Decker at Dolphins, 2014 Week 7 Score: 55.60 10 catches, 11 targets, 221 yards, 1 touchdown, 6 first downs, 0 drops 20.1 yards per target, 54.5% first down rate 3. Thomas Jones vs. Rams, 2008 Week 10 Score: 57.15 26 carries, 149 yards, 3 touchdowns, 11 first downs 5.7 yards per carry, 42.3% first down rate 1 protection snap, 0 pressures allowed 2. Isaiah Crowell vs. Broncos, 2017 Week 5 Score: 58.90 15 carries, 219 yards, 1 touchdown, 6 first downs 14.6 yards per carry, 40.0% first down rate 1 catch, 1 target, 12 yards, 1 first down 1. Geno Smith at Dolphins, 2014 Week 17 Score: 62.10 20/25, 358 yards, 14 first downs, 3 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, 1 sack for 6 yards, 5 rushes for 18 yards and 1 first down 13.5 net yards per attempt, 53.8% passing first down rate, 158.3 passer rating Which performances on the list were the most overrated? Most underrated? Which games left off the list were the biggest snubs?