New York rookies took advantage of extended opportunities
A Sunday visit from a divisional opponent in equally dire straits did little to reverse the New York Jets’ fortunes.
Two second-half touchdown passes for Tua Tagovailoa were enough to guide the Miami Dolphins to a 24-17 victory at MetLife Stadium. The triumph allowed the Dolphins (4-7), winners in each of their last three games, to create further separation from the cellar-dwelling Jets (2-8). New York falls to 0-4 against AFC East competition this season, extending a losing streak in that category to 10 games.
The Jets will return to action next Sunday in another battle of doomed franchises. They’ll hit the road to battle the Houston Texans (2-8) at NRG Stadium (1 p.m. ET, CBS).
Jet X highlights three standouts from Sunday’s defeat.
Honorable Mentions
- LB Quincy Williams (15 tackles, 2 TFL)
- S Ashtyn Davis (4 tackles, 1 INT, 1 PD)
- WR Jamison Crowder (6 rec., 44 yards, 1 TD)
- TE Ryan Griffin (3 rec., 39 yards)
- KR/PR Braxton Berrios (3 returns, 69 yards)
- P Braden Mann (4 att., 3 inside 20)
3rd Star: RB Michael Carter
9 carries, 63 yards
The Carter takeover of the Jets’ offense suffered a bit of a setback on Sunday, as Carter missed the second half with an ankle injury. His departure interrupted what was destined to be his first 100-yard rushing day, though he nonetheless set a new infantile career-best in the category with 63.
A majority of that tally came on a 39-yard dash in the first quarter, one that set up the Jets first touchdown of the day (Flacco’s two-yard toss to Crowder). He set a career-high with an average of 7.0 yards per carry.
Carter was originally labeled as questionable to return before being downgraded in the early stages of the third quarter. Questioned about his future availability, Saleh merely replied that the team would “know more” on Monday.
2nd Star: QB Joe Flacco
24-of-39, 291 yards, 2 TD
Unlike the Mike White Halloween spectacular, Flacco’s performance won’t have anyone questioning the Jets’ future under center (which, as we’ve discussed, is a good thing).
Nonetheless, Flacco came through for the New York offense in his return to East Rutherford. Through a serviceable showing as a substitute, Flacco gave Zach Wilson study material to analyze and digest as he’s expected to make his return next weekend.
“He did what we all expected him to do, he settled the offense,” head coach Robert Saleh said of the Flacco show, per notes from the Jets. “He faced a lot of pressure, he got hit a few times, got the ball where it needed to go. He did a good job out there.”
1st Star: WR Elijah Moore
8 rec., 141 yards, 1 TD
It’d be humorous if it wasn’t somewhat troubling, but it appears that the only Jets quarterback that has had trouble connecting with Moore is the man the team has chosen to be Moore’s touchdown courier for the foreseeable future. Moore has now caught five touchdown passes over a five-game span with Flacco, White, and Josh Johnson under center.
Nonetheless, it’s impossible not to appreciate what Moore has been able to do in the absence of the franchise quarterback. Since Wilson left, Moore has tallied 336 yards over the last four games.
With his yardage tally, Moore became the fifth New York rookie wide receiver to earn at least 140 in a single game and the first since the unrelated Rob Moore did so in September 1990.
“Elijah’s been getting better every week,” Saleh said of Moore. “I’m really pumped for him. He’s starting to get into a rhythm. He had the explosive play, which we all know he’s capable of, so he’s stacking up days and he’s only going to get better. He’s going to be a special kid.”
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
