The N.Y. Jets lost again today, to a bad Seattle team that has a horrible pass defense. As is stated often in this space, offensive gameplans in the first half set the tones of games. Running on first downs results in not scoring, while passing on first downs results in scoring. As is also frequently stated here, running on first downs allows opposing teams to hang around, get confidence, and possibly win. This was a very important game for the Jets’ playoff hopes as the teams they were tied for first place with both won, and again, Mangini’s coaching/coaches cost the Jets another game.
People continue to look at the Jets and say Favre isn’t having a good year, hasn’t made a difference, fades at the end of seasons, etc., because they don’t realize how much the gameplan handcuffs him. Let’s look at the first-half gameplan:
The Jets ran 14 plays on first down. 9 were runs, and only 5 were passes. What happened on those 5 series when they passed? The Jets got a first down 4 of the 5 times. The one time they didn’t get a first down, it was so close there was a measurement, and when they didn’t get it, they kicked a FG. The runs were obviously not as successful, as the Jets trailed 7-3 at the half.
Now, let’s look at the third quarter. 6 plays run on first down–4 runs and 2 passes. Both series with first-down passes got first downs. The Jets were down 10-3 after 3 quarters due to this gameplan.
Total for 3 quarters: 13 first-down runs, 7 first-down passes. On the 7 first-down-pass series, the Jets got first downs 6 times and came so close on the 7th, there was a measurement (they kicked a FG).
Once again, failure to be aggressive offensively allows a lesser team to hang around, get confidence, and win. It also gives a very misleading picture of the play of Brett Favre, as the statistics show that when he is allowed to be aggressive, he gets first downs and scores.