NEW YORK JETS DAILY CLIPS

November 23, 2015

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Table of Contents

ASSOCIATED PRESS ................................................................................................................................................ 2

Jets drop 4th in 5 games with 24-17 loss to Texans (Kristie Rieken) ......................................................................... 2

NEWSDAY .............................................................................................................................................................. 3

Jets fall to Texans as final drive ends in INT (Kimberley A. Martin) .......................................................................... 3

Brandon Marshall says everyone shares blame for Jets' loss (Bob Glauber) ............................................................ 5

Will Ryan Fitzpatrick start next week? Todd Bowles is non-committal (Bob Glauber) ............................................. 6

THE RECORD .......................................................................................................................................................... 7

Jets notes: Smith's struggles continue (J.P. Pelzman) ............................................................................................... 7

Jets fall to .500 with 24-17 loss to Texans (J.P. Pelzman) .......................................................................................... 8

THE NEW YORK TIMES ........................................................................................................................................... 9

Texans Hand Reeling Jets Another Loss (Ben Shpigel) .............................................................................................. 9

ESPN NEW YORK .................................................................................................................................................. 12

Jets' Darrelle Revis, Nick Mangold suffer injuries (Rich Cimini) .............................................................................. 12

Ryan Fitzpatrick, Jets implode against Texans, crippling playoff hopes (Rich Cimini) ............................................. 12

NEW YORK POST .................................................................................................................................................. 14

Fitzpatrick had a chance to cure all Jets’ ills, but dropped the ball (George Willis) ................................................ 14

Collapsing Jets look like frauds in disastrous loss to Texans (Brian Costello) .......................................................... 14

Antonio Cromartie slams Jets fans taunting his wife, kids (Brian Costello) ............................................................ 16

Todd Bowles rips into Jets’ rookie after devastating drop (Brian Costello) ............................................................ 16

Steaming Todd Bowles opens dangerous scapegoat door (Steve Serby)................................................................ 17

Todd Bowles must restrain himself from huge QB mistake (George Willis) ........................................................... 19

Texans’ young stud made Jets’ Darrelle Revis look ancient (George Willis) ........................................................... 20

NJ ADVANCE MEDIA ............................................................................................................................................ 21

Darrelle Revis (concussion), Nick Mangold (hand) | Jets injures after loss to Houston Texans (Darryl Slater) ...... 21

Todd Bowles says Jets must 'damn well get better' after loss at Houston Texans (Darryl Slater) .......................... 22

Jets' Todd Bowles won't rule out benching Ryan Fitzpatrick for Geno Smith (Dom Cosentino) ............................. 23

Houston Texans 24, Jets 17: The good, the bad, and the ugly, as midseason slump continues (Darryl Slater) ...... 24

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS ...................................................................................................................................... 25

Jets’ coach Todd Bowles critical of rookie Devin Smith (Manish Mehta) ................................................................ 25

Jets outplayed, outcoached by Texans in 24-17 loss, crushing blow to playoff hopes (Seth Walder) .................... 26

Instant Analysis: Jets are in deep trouble after loss to Houston Texans (Manish Mehta) ...................................... 28

WALL STREET JOURNAL ....................................................................................................................................... 29

Daily Clips Cont.

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Jets’ Season in Peril After a Humiliation in Houston (Stu Woo) .............................................................................. 29

METRO................................................................................................................................................................. 30

Jets now in a tailspin after loss to Texans: 3 things we learned (Kristian Dyer) ...................................................... 30

SUNDAY’S SPORTS TRANSACTIONS ...................................................................................................................... 31

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jets drop 4th in 5 games with 24-17 loss to Texans (Kristie Rieken) Associated Press November 22, 2015

http://www.pro32.ap.org/article/jets-drop-4th-5-games-24-17-loss-texans

HOUSTON (AP) — The New York Jets had two chances to tie Sunday's game against the Houston Texans.

Both times, Ryan Fitzpatrick threw an interception to end the drive, and those wayward tosses helped seal a 24-17 win for the Texans.

T.J. Yates tossed two TDs to DeAndre Hopkins, who had 118 yards receiving, and Alfred Blue caught a touchdown pass from receiver Cecil Shorts to help Houston (5-5) to the victory.

The game was tied in the third quarter when the TD pass by Shorts made it 17-10. Yates and Hopkins linked up for a 20-yard score on the next possession.

Fitzpatrick, who played after having surgery on his non-throwing thumb on Nov. 13, got New York within 24-17 with a touchdown run with 4 1/2 minutes left, but they couldn't close the gap because of his turnovers. Fitzpatrick was 19 of 39 for 216 yards with a touchdown against the team he started 12 games for last year.

"I didn't play well," Fitzpatrick said. "There's a lot of throws I needed to make that I didn't make. Obviously having two chances there at the end and not coming up with a touchdown on one of those drives hurts."

The Texans didn't manage a first down in the fourth quarter, but held on for the win thanks to interceptions by Eddie Pleasant and Andre Hal.

The Jets (5-5) have lost four of five games, after opening the season 4-1.

"It's very frustrating," receiver Brandon Marshall said. "But ... you have to pick yourself back up and fight. It's going to be tough. We don't control our own destiny."

Coach Todd Bowles wasn't happy with Fitzpatrick's performance on Sunday, but said his job wasn't in jeopardy.

"I'm still committed to Ryan," Bowles said. "I just don't think he played very well."

But the coach is searching for answers to end the skid.

"I'm extremely upset today," he said. "I'm not going to take it out here; we'll discuss it in-house."

The Texans (5-5) have won three games in a row for the first time since 2012. And they did it with Yates, who threw for 229 yards in his first start since Jan. 15, 2012, in the playoffs for Houston as a rookie.

Yates, who was signed on Oct. 28 after Ryan Mallett was released, started in place of Brian Hoyer who was out with a concussion.

Hopkins beat Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis repeatedly before the cornerback left in the third quarter with a concussion.

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Bowles said he isn't concerned with the play of Revis after his tough day.

Shorts, a quarterback early in his college career at Mount Union, took a lateral from Yates and tossed a 21-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open Blue to make it 17-10 with about eight minutes left in the third quarter.

Shorts was the star of that entire drive, grabbing a 16-yard reception on third-and-13 before grabbing a 35-yard reception on the next play. He took a direct snap and ran for 5 yards two plays before the TD throw.

Bowles said they were surprised by the Wildcat formation at first, but got used to it after a couple of plays.

"They were prepared," he said of his team. "They just didn't execute in key situations."

The Texans made it 24-10 when Hopkins caught a 20-yard touchdown pass late in the third quarter.

The Jets tied at 10-10 early in the third when Fitzpatrick connected with Marshall for a 21-yard touchdown. New York got a boost on that drive from a 44-yard pass interference penalty on Quintin Demps.

Hopkins put the Texans on top when he got in front of Revis and grabbed a 61-yard touchdown reception to make it 10-3 with about three minutes left in the first half. The play came two plays after another big catch by Hopkins, where he again beat Revis and snagged the ball one-handed for an 18-yard gain.

Williams sacked Yates, who fumbled the ball in the second quarter. Williams pounced on it to give New York the ball near midfield. Randy Bullock, who was cut by the Texans earlier this season, made a 40-yard field goal to tie it at 3 with about nine minutes left in the second.

NOTES: Jets C Nick Mangold left in the first quarter with a hand injury and Bowles said he had lacerations in his hand that kept him from snapping the ball. ... Houston CB A.J. Bouye didn't return after leaving in the second quarter to be evaluated for a concussion.

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NEWSDAY

Jets fall to Texans as final drive ends in INT (Kimberley A. Martin) Newsday November 23, 2015

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/jets-fall-to-texans-as-final-drive-ends-in-int-1.11153129

HOUSTON - Todd Bowles gritted his teeth and offered measured responses, but he was seething underneath the surface. His expressionless face couldn't mask the irritation in his voice as he tried to explain what went wrong in yet another loss.

In a game his team needed to gain ground in the AFC playoff hunt, the Jets looked abused on both sides of the ball Sunday in a 24-17 loss to the Texans. DeAndre Hopkins set up shop on Revis Island, J.J. Watt used Breno Giacomini like a turnstile and Ryan Fitzpatrick killed all hope of a comeback with two fourth-quarter interceptions. And it all left Bowles visibly frustrated.

"It's about execution,'' he said. "It's about understanding situational football when it's time to be played. And that's not getting done right now.

"I'm extremely upset today, but I'm not going to take it out here.''

Forget the fast start and the high expectations. The past month has been a sobering reminder that the Jets (5-5) are a mediocre team that doesn't know how to win when it matters most.

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Their 4-1 start in Bowles' first year as a head coach seemed to signal a new direction for the wayward franchise. But four losses in five games have exposed deficiencies in their roster and their play-calling. Sluggish starts, defensive breakdowns and dropped passes have become recurring themes.

The Jets, who face the Dolphins (4-6) next, trail the Steelers (6-4), Bills (5-4), Chiefs (5-5) and Texans (5-5) in the race for the two AFC wild-card spots.

"We're just trying to keep our heads above water right now,'' receiver Jeremy Kerley said.

Said safety Calvin Pryor, "We just have to finish. That's it.''

The downward trend could continue if Bowles doesn't shake things up. But one thing that isn't changing -- at this moment, anyway -- is his starting quarterback.

Asked if he's given any consideration to benching Fitzpatrick in favor of Geno Smith, Bowles said: "Not at this time. We'll meet on all that stuff Monday.''

Pressed on the subject, he said: "We meet every Monday, and our discussion involves who should start at every position. I'm still committed to Ryan. I just don't think he played very well, just like a lot of other people on both sides of the ball.''

Despite being without their starting quarterback and several cornerbacks, the Texans had their way for much of the game, thanks to an impressive performance by Watt (two sacks, six tackles) and Hopkins, who caught five passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns. T.J. Yates, who filled in for Brian Hoyer (concussion), threw for 229 yards and two TDs, including a 61-yard deep ball as Hopkins burned Darrelle Revis.

About 31/2 minutes after the Jets tied the score at 10-10 in the third quarter on Fitzpatrick's 21-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Marshall, the Texans took the lead for good with a trick play that produced a 21-yard touchdown pass.

On first down from the Jets' 21, Yates threw a lateral pass to his left to wide receiver Cecil Shorts III, a play on which the Jets thought Shorts would then run upfield. But Shorts -- a quarterback early in his college career at Mount Union -- instead threw a perfect pass to the other side of the field to running back Alfred Blue, who had slipped out of the backfield and was wide open because linebacker DeMario Davis didn't cover him.

On three consecutive plays earlier in that drive, Shorts caught a 16-yard pass on third-and-13, made a 35-yard reception and ran 5 yards after taking a direct snap. Two plays after that, he threw the touchdown pass.

Fitzpatrick, who was traded by the Texans in March, struggled against his former team until the final minutes of the fourth quarter. He barreled headfirst into the end zone -- losing his helmet in the process -- on a quarterback keeper for a 6-yard touchdown that pulled the Jets to within 24-17 with 4:20 left. But he had two passes, the first intended for Devin Smith and the second for Brandon Marshall, intercepted with 2:47 and 1:52 left.

"Every loss is a missed opportunity,'' Giacomini said before referencing the Jets' .500 record. "That's not gonna cut it.''

Several of his teammates had referred to this game as "critical'' and a "must-win.'' But their postgame interviews again centered around another squandered opportunity.

"This team is built to win,'' Kerley said. "The good teams win. And we're a good team. We just need to find out how to win.''

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With six games remaining, Kerley and Pryor offered an optimistic outlook.

"It's a long season,'' Pryor said. "Worry about our next opponent and try to get a win. We have to get back on track and start winning games because every game counts.''

Said Kerley: "There's always time 'til there's no more time.''

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Brandon Marshall says everyone shares blame for Jets' loss (Bob Glauber) Newsday November 22, 2015

http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/brandon-marshall-pointing-finger-at-himself-in-jets-loss-1.11153715

HOUSTON - In the wake of the Jets' fourth loss in five games, Brandon Marshall said there's plenty of blame to go around. Including himself.

The wide receiver had two more drops in Sunday's 24-17 loss to the Texans, so go ahead and blame him. But he's got plenty of company after yet another dispiriting effort. Ryan Fitzpatrick threw two late interceptions. The defense gave up a touchdown pass on a trick play and two more to star receiver DeAndre Hopkins.

"Players like myself have to make plays," Marshall said. "It's very frustrating. It [stinks], but at the end of the day, you have to pick yourself back up and fight."

At 5-5, the Jets still are in the thick of the wild-card playoff race. But with a host of other teams also in contention, including the 5-5 Texans, every loss becomes critical from now through the end of the season.

"We're not playing good football, and that's everybody in the locker room," said Marshall, who had five catches for 47 yards and a touchdown. "I'm not going to answer any questions about this guy, that guy, this coach, that coach. For me, my answer is simple. Coaches coach, players play. That's all it is.

"Are we a better team? We are," Marshall said. "Can we do something these last six games? Yes. Special teams need to be better. Offense needs to be better. Defense needs to be better."

The outspoken receiver said it would be unfair to put the blame solely on Fitzpatrick, who failed to beat a Texans team that traded him to the Jets in the offseason.

Fitzpatrick was evaluated for a concussion shortly after scoring a touchdown on a 6-yard run up the middle with 4:20 to go. On the play, his helmet was knocked off.

"They came over to me, one of our doctors and an independent neurologist came over to me, and asked me a few questions, but I was fine," Fitzpatrick said.

If the neurologist had determined that Fitzpatrick was showing symptoms of a concussion, he would have been removed from the game. Fitzpatrick did not miss any plays, however.

"It's not all on Ryan," Marshall said. "It's the whole team. We have to make plays for Ryan to get him going early. The coaches have to put him in better situations. We're all interconnected. It's not one coach. It's not one player. It's not one play. It's all of us."

So what's it going to take to get back on the kind of roll the Jets enjoyed early in the season when they jumped out to a 4-1 record?

"We don't control our own destiny, but we just have to make one play," he said. "One play turns into one game, one game turns into a couple. That's what we have to do."

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The solution isn't complicated.

"It's football, at the end of the day," Marshall said. "I grew up playing this game, just like all these other guys here. Started when I was 6 years old, and the game hasn't changed. Throw, catch. You run, you block, you tackle. Right? Simple stuff."

Just not for the Jets. At least not these last five weeks.

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Will Ryan Fitzpatrick start next week? Todd Bowles is non-committal (Bob Glauber) Newsday November 22, 2015

http://www.newsday.com/sports/columnists/bob-glauber/will-ryan-fitzpatrick-start-next-week-todd-bowles-is-non-committal-1.11153961

Todd Bowles may or may not have any intention of making a change at quarterback, even though Ryan Fitzpatrick had another spotty game and threw two late interceptions, even though Fitzpatrick now presides over a .500 team after a promising 4-1 start.

But the coach wasn't as definitive as he might have been about Fitzpatrick after the Jets' latest disappointment, a 24-17 loss to the Texans. When asked about Fitzpatrick after Sunday's clunker, Bowles wouldn't say for sure that he will play next week against the Dolphins.

Of course, Bowles didn't say Fitzpatrick won't be his starter, but when an NFL coach is talking about quarterbacks, it's important to parse every word of what he says. Or won't say.

And what Bowles didn't say -- at least not definitively -- is that Fitzpatrick will start Sunday at MetLife Stadium.

Asked if he is giving consideration to starting Geno Smith, Bowles said, "Not at this time. We'll meet on all that stuff on Monday.''

The careful phrasing gives Bowles some wiggle room if he decides he wants to make a change to provide a spark. "Not at this time'' is one of those catch-all answers that offers enough gray area to be interpreted in a variety of ways.

For Bowles, it might have meant not at the time he was standing at the podium addressing reporters' questions after a demoralizing loss that dropped the Jets to 5-5. At a different time -- oh, say, on Monday after meeting with his coaches -- Bowles might feel a change is in order.

My sense is that Bowles won't make a change at this time, and that it's not the right time for a change. Not with all the confidence he has shown in Fitzpatrick. But his comments also show that Bowles' patience is not unlimited.

There's nothing wrong with making Fitzpatrick think his job might be in jeopardy, because athletes often respond to that kind of pressure by elevating their performance.

Bowles was asked if he still is committed to Fitzpatrick as his starter. "I'm still committed to Ryan,'' Bowles said. "He didn't play very well, just like a lot of other people.''

But when asked if he might be wavering on having Fitzpatrick start next week, Bowles said, "We'll discuss everything on Monday, just like we always do.''

Fitzpatrick was eager to get back at the team that gave up on him after last season. Texans coach Bill O'Brien and general manager Rick Smith traded Fitzpatrick, who will turn 33 Tuesday, to the Jets.

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He showed plenty of grit in a drive that made it 24-17 in the fourth quarter. Fitzpatrick ran for a 6-yard touchdown and lost his helmet on a big hit as he drove across the goal line, only nine days after undergoing surgery to repair a ligament in his left (non-throwing) thumb. But he couldn't finish the job.

With chances to get the tying score, Fitzpatrick threw back-to-back interceptions.

"I didn't play well,'' said Fitzpatrick, who completed 19 of 39 passes for 216 yards, a touchdown and a passer rating of only 52.9. "There's a lot of throws I needed to make that I didn't make. Obviously, the two chances there at the end, not coming up with the touchdown on one of those drives hurt.''

Especially in what used to be his home stadium.

"That was tough,'' he said. "It's always tough to lose, no matter what, but that probably added a little bit to it, not being able to come back and having two opportunities at the end.''

As deeply wounded as Fitzpatrick felt, outwardly he was unfazed about Bowles' tepid response about his status. Asked if he had any concern about remaining the starter, he said, "No.''

Bowles has gone with Fitzpatrick this far, so it would be an upset if he changes course -- at least in the immediate future. Another loss or two, and maybe that changes. But Bowles clearly was agitated, acknowledging that he was "extremely upset'' with his team. In Bowles-speak, that's tantamount to an expletive-filled screed, especially given the anger in his eyes.

He wants better results now. And not just from Fitzpatrick. The quarterback was on a long list of underachievers, along with a line that succumbed to the Texans' fierce pass rush, pass-dropping receivers Brandon Marshall and Devin Smith, and a high-priced defense that let inexperienced T.J. Yates hang 24 on the scoreboard.

But in a league in which quarterback is the most important position, Bowles knows the losing can't continue without consequence. Which is why he is opening the door to at least considering a change.

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THE RECORD

Jets notes: Smith's struggles continue (J.P. Pelzman) The Record November 23, 2015

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/football/jets-notes-smith-s-struggles-continue-1.1460856

Smith’s struggles continue

Rookie wide receiver Devin Smith cost the Jets a touchdown in the loss to Buffalo 11 days ago.

He did essentially the same thing Sunday, albeit in a different way.

Smith, a second-round pick from Ohio State, dropped two passes in the Jets’ 24-17 loss to the Texans, including a perfect deep ball from Ryan Fitzpatrick in the third quarter. It would have been a touchdown, had Smith hung on. The Jets failed to score on that drive.

In the loss to the Bills, Smith fumbled on a kickoff return and Buffalo returned the miscue for a score.

"Our rookies have got to stop being rookies," coach Todd Bowles said in an obvious reference to Smith.

"They need to grow up. They get paid like everybody else and they’ve got to start acting like they’re not in college anymore."

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Smith, who has only seven receptions in limited playing time, missed most of the preseason because of fractured ribs, and has yet to contribute significantly.

"It’s tough," said Smith, who was limping in the locker room afterward. But he added, "I know my time is coming."

Revis, Mangold injured

Veteran starters and perennial Pro Bowlers Darrelle Revis and Nick Mangold both suffered injuries and exited the game. Revis, who allowed a 61-yard scoring catch by DeAndre Hopkins, suffered a concussion in the third quarter.

Mangold left in the first half because of a cut between two fingers on his right hand, which prevented him from snapping the ball. He said it was unrelated to a previous hand injury. The cut required stitches.

Bowles said Mangold will have an MRI today to see if there is any ligament damage. Revis will enter the NFL’s concussion protocol. The status of both for Sunday’s game against Miami is uncertain.

Briefs

Jets DE Sheldon Richardson (hamstring) was scratched. RB Chris Ivory (eight carries, 36 yards) briefly left the game with a knee injury but returned and said afterward it wasn’t a problem.

Former Bergen Catholic star LB Brian Cushing had five tackles for the Texans, including one for a loss. Of his team’s three-game winning streak, he said, "We are playing up to our capabilities, playing physical, playing tough, playing smart and playing the way everyone expected us to, including ourselves."

Former Jets backup OL Oday Aboushi was a healthy scratch for Houston for the second straight game. He was waived by the Jets in September.

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Jets fall to .500 with 24-17 loss to Texans (J.P. Pelzman) The Record November 22, 2015

http://www.northjersey.com/news/jets-fall-to-500-with-24-17-loss-to-texans-1.1460593

HOUSTON – Houston needed a quarterback in late October after dismissing Ryan Mallett for missing a team flight to Miami for a game. So the organization called former Texan T.J. Yates.

And what was he doing at the time? “Having a cup of coffee on my couch,” Yates said.

The Jets might be in that some position in January if they don’t reverse a slide that is getting worse by the day.

A promising 4-1 start has faded as the Jets have lost four of their last five games, including a 24-17 defeat to Houston on Sunday at NRG Stadium. The Jets lost to a team that used a quarterback who hadn’t started a game since January 2012, when Yates directed the Texans to a playoff win over Cincinnati in his first tour of duty with the franchise. Yates was pressed into service because starter Brian Hoyer was out with a concussion, suffered in a Monday night upset win over Cincinnati.

Also consider the Jets had nine days to prepare for this game, while the Texans had only five after that Monday appearance.

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All those factors led to first-year coach Todd Bowles being angrier in the post-game news conference than he has been after previous defeats.

“I’m extremely upset today,” Bowles said, “but I’m not going to take it out here. We’ll discuss that in-house when I get back in the locker room and we get in the meeting.

“It’s about doing your job and understanding what you have to do,” he added. “Past couple of weeks we haven’t done it, whether it was one person here or there, one assignment here or there, or whatever the case may be. It’s not getting done. That falls on me and I’ll correct that.”

Interestingly, although Bowles gave no hint of making a quarterback change, his endorsement of starter Ryan Fitzpatrick was the most tepid it’s been this season. Fitzpatrick, who started 12 games for Houston last season before being traded to the Jets in March, was 19-for-39 for 216 yards and a 52.9 passer rating. He was sacked three times, twice by J.J. Watt, and threw two interceptions in the last 2:47 to end the Jets’ comeback bid.

When asked if he was considering benching Fitzpatrick in favor of Geno Smith, Bowles said, “Not at this time. We’ll meet on all that stuff on Monday. … We [the coaching staff] meet every Monday and our discussion involves who should start at every position.

“I’m still committed to Ryan,” he added. “I just don’t think he played very well, just like a lot of other people on both sides of the ball.”

“I didn’t play well,” said Fitzpatrick, who had his helmet knocked off while bulling his way for a 6-yard fourth-quarter touchdown run that cut the Jets’ deficit to 24-17. He was checked for a possible concussion but none was found.

“There were a lot of throws I needed to make,” Fitzpatrick added, “that I didn’t make and obviously having two chances there at the end and not coming up with the touchdown on one of those drives hurts.”

The offense started slow for the second straight game, but the defense also had its problems against the depleted Houston offense. The Texans surprised the Jets with several runs from the Wildcat formation and also got a touchdown on a trick play, when wide receiver Cecil Shorts III took a lateral from Yates and threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to wide-open running back Alfred Blue. That put the Texans ahead 17-10 in the third quarter.

That play “took a long time” to develop, Bowles noted. “We’ve got to have better awareness than that.”

Fitzpatrick thinks the Jets will stay the course despite their recent struggles.

“We’ve got a veteran group,” he said, “and we know that it’s week by week, and if you start feeling sorry for yourself, that’s where you’re going to get in trouble, and you’re not going to give yourself a chance.”

“We can’t wait until we are behind to fight,” said wide receiver Brandon Marshall, who had a touchdown catch but also dropped two passes. “Players like myself have to make plays. There’s a lot to it, but it really comes down to some simple things.

“Are we a better team [than this]? We are,” Marshall said. “Can we do something these last six games? Yes.”

Or else the Jets will be couch potatoes in January.

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THE NEW YORK TIMES

Texans Hand Reeling Jets Another Loss (Ben Shpigel)

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The New York Times November 22, 2015

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/23/sports/football/houston-texans-hand-new-york-jets-another-loss.html?ref=football

HOUSTON — The Jets tried holding on to their playoff aspirations Sunday, but they dropped them, like the deep balls botched by their rookie receiver. The Jets tried sustaining those aspirations, but they were depleted by every sack they allowed, every interception they threw, every dose of gadgetry that stunned them into mediocrity.

No matter how Coach Todd Bowles chooses to spin their plight, the Jets are reeling, losers of four of their last five games. The ramifications of this latest flop, a 24-17 loss to the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium, radiated throughout the premises afterward.

In the back of the locker room, the stall of the star cornerback Darrelle Revis, who was torched for a 61-yard touchdown in his worst game since rejoining the team, sat empty. He was being treated for symptoms of a concussion that could jeopardize his availability for next week’s game against the Miami Dolphins.

Toward the front, the rookie Devin Smith — who butchered one long pass over the middle and then mangled what would have been a 46-yard touchdown — sat facing his locker, head down, nodding along to the encouraging words of the receivers coach Karl Dorrell.

In the interview room, Bowles’s nostrils flared, and his eyes raged as he demolished his team for its failure to perform in critical situations. Told that he had expressed the same displeasure before, Bowles said: “I’m not repeating myself. I’m just stating the obvious.”

No longer are the Jets in command of a wild-card berth in the A.F.C., as they were a month ago. No longer are the Jets a prime contender for a postseason spot, as they were two weeks ago. No longer do the Jets have solid positioning on the periphery of the race, as they did 10 days ago.

Through 10 games, the Jets are 5-5, an average record for an average team. Because of the ordinary A.F.C., the Jets remain in the hunt, resembling business travelers with meager airline status. They are sort of special, but not really.

They believe that they are better than average, which could be true. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, for one, noted his frustration with losing to teams “that we feel like we’re better than,” though it was not immediately clear how long that list was. It is also just as possible that the Jets are worse than average.

A full deconstruction of Sunday’s mess will take place Monday, when Bowles and his staff will evaluate why the Texans looked like the fresher and more prepared team, despite having four fewer days of rest.

And why the Jets failed to make the necessary adjustments to counter a backup quarterback, T. J. Yates, and the trickery deployed to minimize his limitations.

And why Houston’s two best players — receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who burned Revis on that long score, and defensive end J. J. Watt, who had two sacks, five quarterback hits and five tackles for loss — made a mockery of the notion that the Jets could contain them.

In the aftermath, Bowles will also examine whether Fitzpatrick remains his best option at quarterback after interceptions on the Jets’ last two drives stalled any hopes of a comeback. The issue was left unresolved Sunday.

That Bowles did not immediately say Fitzpatrick would start next week suggests that Bowles is at least considering a change, even if he is unlikely to make one.

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“I’m still committed to Ryan,” Bowles said. “I just don’t think he played very well, just like a lot of other people on both sides of the ball.”

With the exception of long snapper Tanner Purdum and Randy Bullock, who made all three of his kicks, Bowles could have been speaking about anyone.

With Houston starter Brian Hoyer sidelined, the Jets’ defense buckled against Yates, who had thrown only 15 passes the last two seasons and had not started a game since January 2012. The Jets had professed not to care about Yates’s inexperience, saying that they were preparing not for him but for Houston’s scheme, which nonetheless managed to surprise them.

The Texans unleashed the Wildcat formation, gaining two first downs on a 16-play drive that led to a field goal, and then a double pass from Yates to Cecil Shorts, who threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to an open Alfred Blue that snapped a 10-10 tie midway through the third quarter.

There were other indictments, too, like Watt’s persistent abuse of right tackle Breno Giacomini and anyone else the Jets tried to block him with, and Hopkins’s unfolding a beach chair on Revis Island.

“I play football,” Hopkins said. “Went out there and played my game. Nothing special.”

That is also an apt description of the Jets’ suddenly one-dimensional offense, which averaged 3.3 yards rushing on 21 carries and tends to rely too much on receiver Brandon Marshall, who short-armed one pass and was unable to corral a deep ball on the Jets’ second series.

The offensive coordinator Chan Gailey spoke last week of the importance of another player emerging. Given a chance, with the Jets trailing by 24-10 late in the third quarter, Smith struggled to track a perfect pass from Fitzpatrick that landed in his hands.

“Our rookies got to stop being rookies,” Bowles said, alluding to Smith, who against Buffalo fumbled a kickoff that was returned for a touchdown. “They need to grow up. They get paid like everybody else. They got to start acting like they’re not in college no more.”

Those with far more experience contributed to the misery. In his return to Houston, where he spent 15 years working in the front office, Jets General Manager Mike Maccagnan watched the offense he assembled amass all of 57 first-half yards and, for a second consecutive game, score 3 first-half points.

The Jets lacked precision. And energy. And yards. And points. And first downs. And third-down conversions.

Asked to explain his unit’s lethargic starts, Marshall suppressed his candor, pausing for 10 seconds before answering.

“We just got to make plays,” Marshall said.

He paused for 13 more seconds before basically repeating himself, and then offered an assessment rarely spoken of teams that fashion themselves as contenders.

“We’re not playing good football,” Marshall said, “and that’s everybody in the locker room.”

EXTRA POINTS

Center Nick Mangold left after the Jets’ second series with a deep gash to his right hand between his pinkie and ring finger. It required stitches, and he did not return. He said he was optimistic that he could play next week against Miami. ...Both of the Jets’ 2013 first-round draft picks were inactive Sunday.

Daily Clips Cont.

12 | P a g e

Defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson was sidelined by a balky hamstring, while cornerback Dee Milliner, sick last week but listed on the injury report as probable, was a healthy scratch.

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ESPN NEW YORK

Jets' Darrelle Revis, Nick Mangold suffer injuries (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York November 22, 2015

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/14198713/darrelle-revis-nick-mangold-suffer-injuries-new-york-jets

HOUSTON -- Cornerback Darrelle Revis and center Nick Mangold -- two of the New York Jets' best players -- suffered injuries in the team's 24-17 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday.

Revis suffered a concussion in the third quarter while tackling Texans running back Akeem Hunt. He walked slowly off the field and was taken to the locker room for tests. He didn't return and will be in the NFL's concussion protocol in the coming days.

In a must-win game, the Jets were outplayed and outcoached -- and outlasted by a third-string quarterback -- in an embarrassing meltdown that exposed serious flaws.

Mangold required stitches in his right (snapping) hand after sustaining a "severe laceration" in the second quarter, coach Todd Bowles said.

Mangold, who didn't return to the game, will have an MRI on Monday to see if there's any ligament and/or tendon damage. X-rays were negative. The cut is located between his pinky and ring finger. He has no idea how it happened.

"I came to the sideline and I saw some blood," he said. "I looked down and that's when we went inside. ... It was completely random. I haven't seen anything like this before. This is a new one."

After returning to the sideline, Mangold, with a heavy wrap over the stitches, said he tried a few practice snaps. He couldn't grip the ball and didn't want to hurt the team.

"That's all I needed to do, roll a couple of snaps and screw the team over," he said.

Mangold was replaced by Wesley Johnson, who started three weeks ago when Mangold was sidelined with a neck injury.

Revis, who wasn't available to talk to reporters after the game, suffered his worst game of the season, allowing four catches for 98 yards to DeAndre Hopkins, including a 61-yard touchdown.

As Revis walked to the locker room, his replacement, Marcus Williams, was burned on a 20-yard touchdown pass to Hopkins.

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Ryan Fitzpatrick, Jets implode against Texans, crippling playoff hopes (Rich Cimini) ESPN New York November 22, 2015

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/56370/ryan-fitzpatrick-jets-implode-against-texans-crippling-playoff-hopes

HOUSTON -- In a must-win game, the New York Jets were outplayed, out-coached and outlasted by a third-string quarterback, an embarrassing meltdown that exposed serious flaws in the Jets.

Daily Clips Cont.

13 | P a g e

Everything went wrong for the Jets, who damaged their playoff hopes with a 24-17 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday at NRG Stadium. Ryan Fitzpatrick threw two interceptions in the fourth quarter. Brandon Marshall and Devin Smith committed killer drops. Chris Ivory was invisible. Darrelle Revis played his worst game in years.

For most of the game, the Jets played soft. They played dumb.

Coach Todd Bowles deserves plenty of blame, too.

There was no sense of urgency at the outset and they were ill-prepared for the Texans' trickery. Bowles had to know the Texans (5-5), with recently unemployed quarterback T.J. Yates starting for the injured Brian Hoyer, would try different ways to move the football. And they did, but the Jets were clueless against Houston's Wildcat formation (seven plays for 48 yards) and they allowed a 21-yard touchdown on a double pass. On the latter play, linebacker Demario Davis fell asleep in coverage on running back Alfred Blue, who caught a pass from wide receiver Cecil Shorts.

Once again, Bowles made a questionable fourth-down decision late in the game, going for it on fourth-and-5 at his 46 instead of punting and playing defense with two timeouts and the two-minute warning.

The Jets (5-5) have dropped four of their past five, triggering a full-blown crisis. Their once-promising season is in shambles because their offense is one-dimensional and their defense is overrated. They should've dominated Yates, who made his first start in four years, but they generated little pressure and their $150 million secondary couldn't handle DeAndre Hopkins.

The crazy part? The Jets had nine days to prepare for the game, the Texans only five.

Shame on the Jets.

What were they thinking? Here's a novel concept: How about using two players to block J.J. Watt, the best defensive player in the NFL? For some crazy reason, the Jets decided to use one player in key situations. As a result, Watt recorded two sacks, beating Breno Giacomini and D'Brickashaw Ferguson on separate plays. That's just bad coaching.

One reason to panic: Revis' aura of invincibility was stripped away by Hopkins, who ate the star cornerback's lunch -- and dinner, too. In his worst game of the season, probably several seasons, Revis allowed a 61-yard touchdown pass. It was single coverage, no deep help. He used to be automatic in those situations (Revis Island, anyone?), but he was toasted by one of the top receivers in the game. Unofficially, Revis allowed four receptions for 97 yards to Hopkins. Antonio Cromartie also had a bad game, allowing a 35-yard catch.

One reason to get excited: Running back Bilal Powell, returning from an ankle injury, gained 89 yards from scrimmage and he made a key block on Fitzpatrick's touchdown pass to Marshall.

Fantasy watch: Marshall scored once, his seventh touchdown of the season. He should've had more.

Ouch: A couple of big injuries. Revis left in the third quarter with a head injury and didn't return. His replacement, Marcus Williams, who had a strip sack and recovery earlier in the game, was promptly burned for a 20-yard touchdown. Center Nick Mangold suffered a right-hand injury in the second quarter. He, too, stayed out -- a big blow to the offensive line. It's unclear if it's the same hand that was hurt in the previous game. He was replaced by Wesley Johnson. Ivory was bothered by an undisclosed leg injury from his very first touch -- shades of the New England game in Week 7. He wasn't right, and the running attack fell apart.

What's next: The Jets return home to face the Miami Dolphins. They beat the Dolphins on foreign soil in Week 4, a 27-14 win in London -- the game that prompted Miami to fire Joe Philbin.

Daily Clips Cont.

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NEW YORK POST

Fitzpatrick had a chance to cure all Jets’ ills, but dropped the ball (George Willis) New York Post November 22, 2015

http://nypost.com/2015/11/22/fitzpatrick-had-a-chance-to-cure-all-jets-ills-but-dropped-the-ball/

HOUSTON — With as bad as everything had gone for three-plus quarters, falling behind by 14 points and losing cornerback Darrelle Revis to injury and having receivers drop his passes all over the place, Ryan Fitzpatrick had a chance to get the Jets to overtime if somehow he could manage one more touchdown.

That’s why the final two possessions of Sunday’s game at NRG Stadium will haunt Fitzpatrick more than anything that came before.

A gritty 6-yard touchdown run by Fitzpatrick with 4:20 to play had cut the Texans lead to 24-17. It would be the final margin of victory only because Fitzpatrick was intercepted on the Jets’ final two possessions assuring their fourth defeat in the last five games.

“Obviously, having two chances there at the end and not coming up with a touchdown on one of those drives hurts,” said Fitzpatrick, who completed 19-of-39 for 216 yards and a touchdown along with the two interceptions.

Here’s what happened: The Jets got the ball at their own 41 with 3:08 to play, plenty of time to mount a drive. But when three plays netted just 5 yards, it forced a fourth-and-5, which coach Todd Bowles decided to go for. Any chance for a conversion was ruined when Houston safety Eddie Pleasant intercepted the pass intended for Devin Smith, who was running an out pattern.

“He just kind of undercut the rout,” Fitzpatrick said. “Good play by Eddie Pleasant. I wish I could have made a better throw.”

The Jets had one last chance, getting the ball with 2:19 remaining. After a short completion and a false start, Fitzpatrick faced a first-and-15 at the Jets 29. He tried to throw a pass to Brandon Marshall, but Texans safety Andre Hal picked off the throw.

“I had to wait for [linebacker] Brian Cushing to clear and unfortunately that took more time than I wanted to and the safety was able to get in there,” Fitzpatrick said.

The Texans were able to burn the rest of the clock and get the victory.

“It’s been tough, but we’ve got to continue to work hard in practice and put a better product on the field,” said Fitzpatrick, beaten by the team that had traded him to the Jets. “It always tough to lose, but having two opportunities at the end and not being able to lead the team to at least tie the game makes it tough.”

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Collapsing Jets look like frauds in disastrous loss to Texans (Brian Costello) New York Post November 22, 2015

http://nypost.com/2015/11/22/antonio-cromartie-slams-jets-fans-taunting-his-wife-kids/

HOUSTON — The Jets playoff hopes are slight after they showed no fight (clap, clap, clap) deep in the heart of Texas.

Daily Clips Cont.

15 | P a g e

The Jets delivered an embarrassing performance against a banged-up Texans team, getting out-played and out-coached in a 24-17 loss that was not even that close. The Jets fooled everyone with a 4-1 start that made them look like playoff contenders. Instead, they are another also-ran in the NFL destined for a .500 finish or worse.

Same Old Jets.

The loss drops the Jets to 5-5 and deals their playoff hopes a blow. It does not extinguish them because there are six weeks left and a lot of mediocrity in the AFC, but how can anyone believe the Jets will make a run after this debacle and after losing four of their past five games?

“I don’t think we’re underachieving. I don’t think we’re executing,” Jets coach Todd Bowles, who was visibly agitated, said. “It’s not about under- or overachieving, it’s about doing your job and understanding what you have to do. The past couple of weeks, we haven’t done it whether it was one person here or there, one assignment here or there, whatever the case may be. It’s not getting done. That falls on me and I’ll correct that.”

Ryan Fitzpatrick played poorly in his return to Houston, throwing two interceptions late in the fourth quarter when the Jets had a chance to rally. After the game, Bowles would not rule out benching Fitzpatrick next week against the Dolphins. He said “not at this time” when asked if he was considering benching Fitzpatrick, but then said the coaching staff would discuss it Monday.

“I’m still committed to Ryan,” Bowles said. “I just don’t think he played very well, just like a lot of other people on both sides of the ball.”

Fitzpatrick, who completed 19 of 39 passes for 216 yards, a touchdown, two interceptions and ran for a touchdown, was tough on himself.

“I didn’t play well,” Fitzpatrick said. “There’s a lot of throws that I needed to make that I didn’t make. Obviously, having two chances there at the end and not coming up with a touchdown on one of those drives hurts.”

It was not all on Fitzpatrick, though. The wide receivers dropped passes. The offensive line struggled, giving up three sacks (two to J.J. Watt). The running game faltered.

The Texans were playing with third-string quarterback T.J. Yates and, at one point, were without their top three cornerbacks. Houston had a short week of practice after playing on Monday night and the Jets had 10 days to prepare after playing on Nov. 12. Still, the Jets struggled on both sides of the ball, and most of all on the sideline.

Bowles and offensive coordinator Chan Gailey seemed to have no answers for what the Texans were throwing at them. Texans coach Bill O’Brien employed a creative offensive game plan that found ways to move the ball without relying on the inexperienced Yates. The Jets? They just kept running the same plays over and over, hoping for different results.

The Jets now trail the Steelers (6-4), Bills (5-4, heading into Monday night’s game against the Patriots), Chiefs (5-5) and the Texans (5-5) in the race for the AFC wild-card berths.

“It’s very frustrating. It sucks,” wide receiver Brandon Marshall said. “But at the end of the day, you have to pick yourself back up and fight. It’s going to be tough. We don’t control our own destiny.”

The offense was missing for the entire first half, when the Jets gained just 57 yards. They showed some life in the third quarter, when Fitzpatrick found Marshall for a 21-yard touchdown that tied the game 10-10. But the Texans answered with a seven-play, 80-yard drive that ended with a beautiful double pass.

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16 | P a g e

Wide receiver Cecil Shorts III caught the ball behind the line of scrimmage and then found running back Alfred Blue behind the Jets’ defense for a 21-yard touchdown.

The Texans extended the lead to two touchdowns with 3:24 left in the third quarter when Yates threw a 20-yard strike to DeAndre Hopkins for his second touchdown of the game. Hopkins beat backup cornerback Marcus Williams on the touchdown after Darrelle Revis exited the game two plays earlier with a head injury. Revis did not have a good game before the injury, giving up a 61-yard touchdown in the first half to Hopkins.

The Jets closed it to 24-17 on a 6-yard rushing touchdown by Fitzpatrick with 4:20 left in the game. Fitzpatrick got drilled by safety Eddie Pleasant going into the end zone, losing his helmet. The play finished off a nine-play, 73-yard drive that last 2:51 and featured a few big plays from Bilal Powell and Eric Decker.

The Texans gave the Jets a few chances to tie the game at the end, but Fitzpatrick threw two interceptions in the final minutes to seal it.

“We’re 5-5,” said center Nick Mangold, who left the game in the first half with a hand laceration. “We’re at a tough spot. We’ve got to start coming out of the tunnel faster. We put up a good fight at the end, but we put ourselves in a hole. That’s not a good place to be. We’ve got to get back to work and hopefully turn this thing around. Time is going to be running out quickly.”

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Antonio Cromartie slams Jets fans taunting his wife, kids (Brian Costello) New York Post November 22, 2015

http://nypost.com/2015/11/22/antonio-cromartie-slams-jets-fans-taunting-his-wife-kids/

HOUSTON – Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie has issues with more than just Texans wide receivers on Sunday.

Cromartie was unhappy with fans that made jokes about his children and fought with his wife on Twitter.

“At the end of the day my wife nor my kids r on the field so shld never b disrespected by our own fan base like this,” Cromartie wrote on Twitter.

Cromartie gave up a 35-yard pass to Cecil Shorts III when he went for the interception and did not get it. That led to a barrage of criticism on Twitter, including some remarks directed at his 10 children. His wife, Terricka Cromartie, replied to some of the fans on Twitter and started a few arguments.

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Todd Bowles rips into Jets’ rookie after devastating drop (Brian Costello) New York Post November 22, 2015

http://nypost.com/2015/11/22/todd-bowles-rips-into-jets-rookie-after-devastating-drop/

HOUSTON — Rookie wide receiver Devin Smith dropped a huge pass in the third quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Texans, and it sounds like his coach is losing patience with him.

“Our rookies got to stop being rookies. They need to grow up,” coach Todd Bowles said when asked about Smith. “They get paid like everybody else and they’ve got to start acting like they’re not in college anymore.”

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It looked like Smith might make a huge play when Ryan Fitzpatrick threw a deep ball his way and it hit his hands, but he dropped what would have been a 46-yard touchdown.

“I just didn’t catch it. I just didn’t catch it. Got to come down with it,” Smith said.

Smith was clearly down after the game, sitting at his locker while getting consoled by wide receivers coach Karl Dorrell and fellow receiver Brandon Marshall.

Smith, a second-round pick out of Ohio State, has had a disappointing rookie year. He has battled injuries and ineffectiveness. Smith had no catches in Sunday’s game despite four targets. He has seven catches and no touchdowns this season.

“It’s tough, but I know my time is coming,” Smith said. “I’ll just keep working hard and when that day comes everyone will know.”

Center Nick Mangold left the game in the first half with a laceration on his right hand between his pinkie and ring finger and could not return to the game. X-rays showed no break in the hand, but Mangold received stitches. He tried to snap the ball, but could not.

“I attempted, but I couldn’t get a firm grip on the ball,” he said. “That’s all I needed to do is roll a couple of snaps back there and really screw the team up.”

Mangold was unsure what caused the cut. He said he looked down at his hand and saw the blood. He will have an MRI exam on Monday to make sure there is no structural damage. Mangold said he was optimistic about playing next week against the Dolphins. It likely will depend on whether he can practice this week, though.

RB Chris Ivory injured his knee on his first play of the game, but was able to return. He did not sound concerned about it after the game. … CB Dee Milliner, a first-round pick in 2013, was inactive for the game. Milliner battled an illness this week, missing practice on Wednesday and Thursday, but he was healthy enough to practice Friday. … DE Sheldon Richardson (hamstring) was inactive. … WR Quincy Enunwa returned from a four-game suspension and had two catches for 22 yards. … RB Bilal Powell returned after missing the last four games. He had four rushes for 22 yards and five catches for 67 yards.

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Steaming Todd Bowles opens dangerous scapegoat door (Steve Serby) New York Post November 22, 2015

http://nypost.com/2015/11/22/steaming-todd-bowles-opens-dangerous-scapegoat-door/

HOUSTON — Todd Bowles has a crisis on his rookie hands, and he knows it.

You know he knows it when he opens the door, ever so slightly, to a change at quarterback, and there is smoke coming out of his ears when he opens it.

There is no better way to wake up a floundering football team, a 24-17 loser to the Texans, than publicly declaring the most important position on the team is up for discussion, starting Monday.

Bowles knows he better do something, and fast because his team has lost its way, but giving Ryan Fitzpatrick the hook and summoning Geno Smith would be a panic move, a rookie mistake.

Fitzpatrick (19-for-39, 216 yards) threw two interceptions in his last three attempts trying to force overtime and beat himself up afterward, but he doesn’t deserve to be the scapegoat for a team crumbling all around him.

Daily Clips Cont.

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A reeling team that has lost four of its last five games.

It is one thing to put the quarterback on notice, quite another to pull the rug out from under him now and ask Smith to save the season in the unfriendly confines of MetLife Stadium against the Dolphins.

Don’t do it, Todd.

It would reek of desperation not to give Fitzpatrick, who has built up enough respect equity in the locker room, one more shot to steer this sinking ship. Asked if he was concerned about not starting next Sunday, Fitzpatrick said: “No.”

It wasn’t his job to block J.J. Watt (two sacks).

He didn’t drop two passes, Brandon Marshall did.

He didn’t drop a touchdown bomb, rookie Devin Smith did.

He didn’t have trusted center Nick Mangold (hand laceration) for most of the game and didn’t have a running game.

But Fitzpatrick has been around the block long enough to know the Jets won’t beat any contenders scoring their customary 17 points, much less while going 3-for-14 on third down, and so you can understand why Bowles sounded more noncommittal to Fitzpatrick than he has since IK Enemkpali broke Smith’s jaw.

“You can’t have turnovers,” Bowles said. “I don’t think we played great as an offense.”

Asked about switching to Smith, Bowles said: “Not at this time. We’ll meet on all that stuff Monday.”

Asked if he was committed to Fitzpatrick, Bowles said: “I’m still committed to Ryan. I just don’t think he played very well, just like a lot of other people on both sides of the ball.”

It wouldn’t hurt if the coach gave himself a wake-up call as well.

“Coaches coach, players play,” Marshall said.

Well, the coach’s defense showed up as Grievous Island, for crying out loud.

Cecil Shorts III threw a 21-yard touchdown pass on a first-time trick play to Alfred Blue, for crying out loud.

Darrelle Revis was torched by DeAndre Hopkins for a 61-yard touchdown pass from T.J. Yates, of all quarterbacks, then suffered a concussion making a third-quarter tackle on running back Akeem Hunt.

Texans head coach Bill O’Brien disoriented Bowles’ defense which acted as if it had never seen the Wildcat.

Out-played and out-coached, in other words.

O’Brien’s 5-5 team, which played last Monday night, played harder and smarter than Bowles’ 5-5 team, which had nine days’ rest.

“I’m extremely upset today, but I’m not going to take it out here,” Bowles said. “We’ll discuss that in-house when I get back in the locker room and we get in the meeting. … We busted some things that we damn well get better at.”

Damn.

“I don’t think we’re underachieving,” Bowles said. “I don’t think we’re executing. It’s about doing your job and understanding what you have to do. … It’s not getting done.

“That falls on me and I’ll correct it.”

Daily Clips Cont.

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Changing quarterbacks is not the way to correct it. Not yet. But Fitzpatrick better be the first one to answer Bowles’ wake-up call.

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Todd Bowles must restrain himself from huge QB mistake (George Willis) New York Post November 22, 2015

http://nypost.com/2015/11/22/texans-young-stud-made-jets-darrelle-revis-look-ancient/

HOUSTON — You could almost see the steam coming out of Todd Bowles’ ears, he was so mad after the Jets 24-17 defeat to the Texans Sunday afternoon at NRG Stadium. So, maybe his noncommittal stance on Ryan Fitzpatrick remaining as the Jets’ starting quarterback can be chalked up to being in the heat-of-the-moment.

Certainly, things haven’t gotten so bad for the Jets that Bowles might actually be contemplating starting Geno Smith when the Jets play the Dolphins on Sunday at MetLife Stadium. Or have they?

When asked if he would consider making the switch at quarterback the only thing Bowles would offer was “not at this time. We’ll meet on all that stuff on Monday.”

It wasn’t the full endorsement Bowles has given in the past when he made it clear Fitzpatrick was the starter. Still, the coach acted like it wasn’t a big deal.

“I’m still committed to Ryan,” Bowles said a bit half-heartedly. “I don’t think he played very well just like a lot of other people on both sides of the ball.”

At this point switching to Smith would seem like a panic move even though the Jets have lost four of their last five to drop to 5-5 on the season. If the Jets coaching had any faith in Smith he would have gotten the start against the Texans, considering Fitzpatrick underwent surgery nine days earlier to repair a torn ligament on the thumb of his non-throwing hand. Instead, Fitzpatrick was rushed back into action and delivered one of his worst performances of the season.

He completed 19 of 39 passes for 216 yards and one touchdown. But he threw two key interceptions late in the game and was sacked three times as the Jets converted just 3 of 14 third-down situations. He also didn’t rally the Jets when they still had a chance to tie the game late.

A 6-yard touchdown run by Fitzpatrick with 4:20 remaining cut the Texans lead to 24-17 and gave the Jets some hope. But their two ensuing drives ended in interceptions. First safety Eddie Pleasant stole a pass intended for receiver Devin Smith on fourth-and-5 with 2:53 remaining. Then safety Andre Hal picked off a pass intended for Brandon Marshall just after the two minute warning.

“He had turnovers and we can’t have turnovers,” Bowles said of Fitzpatrick.

Fitzpatrick was playing against the team that traded him to the Jets for two late conditional draft picks after going 6-6 as the Texans starting quarterback in 2014. But the welcome was a rude one courtesy of a Texans’ defense that limited the Jets to just 57 total yards in the first half and 267 for the game.

Fitzpatrick didn’t get much help. Marshall and Smith each dropped a pair of passes and the offensive line got ravaged by defensive end J.J. Watt, who had two sacks and five quarterback hits.

“A lot of that falls on me in terms of third down and getting some of those completions,” Fitzpatrick said. “When you can’t get into a rhythm and you can’t stay on the field, it gets tough.”

The Jets did manage to end the Texans’ streak of 12 straight quarters without allowing a touchdown when Marshall caught a 21-yard touchdown pass with 11:23 left in the third quarter to tie the game 10-10. But

Daily Clips Cont.

20 | P a g e

the Texans used a trick play to score on a 21-yard pass from wide receiver Cecil Shorts to running back Alfred Blue and added a 20-yard pass from quarterback T.J. Yates to receiver DeAndre Hopkins to grab their 20-10 lead with 3:24 remaining in the third quarter. That put all the pressure on Fitzpatrick and a Jets’ offense that couldn’t deliver.

“I didn’t play well,” Fitzpatrick said. “There were a lot of throws I needed to make that I didn’t make and obviously having two chances there at the end and not coming up with the touchdown on one of those drives hurts.”

Losing four of five is the kind of losing stretch that can get a quarterback benched. But it’s hard to blame Fitzpatrick for dropped passes, poor protection and a defense that’s underachieving.

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Texans’ young stud made Jets’ Darrelle Revis look ancient (George Willis) New York Post November 22, 2015

http://nypost.com/2015/11/22/texans-young-stud-made-jets-darrelle-revis-look-ancient/

HOUSTON — The sight of Darrelle Revis lying flat on his stomach at the 10-yard line while Houston wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins celebrated a 61-yard touchdown reception summed up the Jets’ disappointing performance in a 24-17 loss to the Texans Sunday afternoon.

The Jets’ best defensive player was being scorched by the Texans’ third-year wide receiver, setting the tone for a day that was miserable for Revis and the Jets. The Pro Bowl cornerback wasn’t around for all of the anguish. He left the game with about 4:21 remaining in the third quarter after suffering a concussion while colliding hard with Houston running back Akeem Hunt.

Two plays later, Texans quarterback T. J. Yates connected with Hopkins on a 20-yard touchdown pass over Revis’ replacement, Marcus Williams, to give Houston a commanding 24-10 lead.

“It was just a simple go-route,” Hopkins said. “Just the quarterback trusting me and putting the ball up and me going out there to make a play.”

Hopkins’ first touchdown reception was much more dramatic. It came in the second quarter when he burned Revis on a post pattern, getting separation and catching the 61-yard bomb as Revis flopped to the ground. Hopkins would catch five passes for 118 yards on the day, most coming at Revis’ expense.

“With the media blowing up Revis Island, I had to come out and answer,” Hopkins said. “Times like this, for a great defensive back and a young receiver, not a lot of people have me in their eyes. I know it was a big chip on my shoulder to go out there and play extra hard.”

Revis, per NFL rules, was not allowed to speak to the media after the game and his availability for Sunday’s game against the Dolphins will depend on how he progresses through the concussion protocol during the week. But it’s clear the Texans had no fear going against him. On their fourth play of the game, Yates overthrew a deep pass to Hopkins, who had gotten behind Revis, an omen.

“He’s a great defensive back,” Hopkins said. “You’ve got to give him a lot of credit. I just came out and put my hard hat on today. I was ready to play.”

It seemed like the Jets weren’t ready. The Texans rushed for 123 yards, well beyond their average of 87.2, and Yates completed 16 of 34 passes for 229 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.

“Hop was asking for the ball from the get-go,” Yates said. “He knew that we were going to pick and choose our times to throw at him because you have to give a guy like Darrelle Revis the respect he deserves. He

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was getting frustrated early. I missed him on the one on the first drive, and I’m kicking myself for that. I kept coming back to him and he made some great plays.”

The same can’t be said for Revis and the Jets’ defense.

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NJ ADVANCE MEDIA

Darrelle Revis (concussion), Nick Mangold (hand) | Jets injures after loss to Houston Texans (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media November 22, 2015

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/11/darrelle_revis_concussion_nick_mangold_hand_jets_i.html#incart_river_index

HOUSTON — Not only did the Jets lose 24-17 Sunday at the Texans, they also sustained two important injuries that could impact next Sunday's home game against Miami.

Center Nick Mangold suffered a deep cut to his right (snapping) hand in the second quarter and left the game. He did not return. Wesley Johnson replaced him. Mangold's hand, especially his pinky, was heavily wrapped after the game.

Cornerback Darrelle Revis suffered a concussion in the third quarter and also didn't return. Marcus Williams replaced him.

It's unclear if Mangold or Revis — they're two of the Jets' most valuable guys — will be ready for the Dolphins game.

Revis' return to practice and game action will be determined strictly by the NFL's post-concussion assessment protocol. Jets coach Todd Bowles said after the game that Revis did indeed sustain a concussion while making a tackle.

It's unclear how Mangold got hurt. Bowles said Mangold sustained a "severe" cut between his pinky and ring finger. X-rays on his hand came back negative, so he doesn't have any broken bones. Mangold said he's dealing with a single "deep gash."

Mangold was on the Jets' injury report last week with a hand injury — something that hadn't previously been the case, since Mangold was nursing only a neck injury. But Mangold said this cut had nothing to do with his previous hand injury. The cut happened during Sunday's game. It meant Mangold could not snap.

Mangold said he has no idea how he got hurt. He doesn't think he was stepped on, because he didn't fall to the turf.

"I didn't really feel much, and I came off to the sideline, and saw some blood," Mangold said. "And that's when we went inside [to the locker room]. Completely random. I haven't seen anything like this before, so this is a new one."

Mangold said he got some stitches. He's not sure how many. He's hopeful that he'll be able to play against Miami, but said he couldn't say for sure, at this point. He's never had to deal with a gash on his hand before, calling it "new territory."

Mangold said the Jets' medical stuff must do some more tests before determining his status for the Miami game.

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Mangold tried testing his hand by snapping Sunday, "but I couldn't get a firm grip on the ball. That's all I needed to do, is roll a couple of snaps back there, and screw the team over." He said he's never tried snapping with his left hand.

Running back Chris Ivory banged his knee early in Sunday's game, but was able to quickly return.

"He was OK," Bowles said. "He just hit it on the turf."

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Todd Bowles says Jets must 'damn well get better' after loss at Houston Texans (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media November 22, 2015

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/11/jets_frustrated_loss_texans.html#incart_river_index

HOUSTON — Todd Bowles usually doesn't show his emotions in his postgame press conferences — or any press conference, really. Win or lose throughout his first season as the Jets' head coach, Bowles maintains a stoic, steady demeanor.

He mostly did that again Sunday, after his team lost for the fourth time in its past five games, 24-17 to the Texans. The defeat dropped the Jets to 5-5 and dealt a blow to their playoff hopes.

Even while avoiding ranting and raving in his press conference — which would've been extremely atypical — Bowles did make it clearer than usual that he's angry about the Jets' performance lately.

"I'm extremely upset today," Bowles said. "But I'm not going to take it out here. We'll discuss that in-house when we get back. There's a lot of things that are making me upset. We didn't make a couple plays. We busted some things that we better damn well get better at."

The Jets did far too little on offense. They converted 3 of 14 third downs. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick threw interceptions on the Jets' final two drives, right after they cut the Texans' lead to 24-17. The Jets gained 57 yards in the first half, had 147 through three quarters, and finished with a season-low 267.

On defense, the Jets allowed touchdown passes of 20, 21, and 61 yards, plus a 35-yard catch that set up the 21-yard touchdown. All this against a third-string quarterback, T.J. Yates, who hadn't started an NFL game since 2011.

In short, this was a horrible all-around showing when the Jets could ill afford it.

"It's bad, man," said outside linebacker Calvin Pace. "We didn't come here to lose."

They were left trying to process what it means for their final six games, just two of which aren't at MetLife Stadium.

"It's very frustrating," said wide receiver Brandon Marshall. "It sucks. It sucks right now. We're not playing good football, and that's everybody in the locker room. What we have to do is pick ourselves back up and continue to fight.

"Does it suck? It sucks. Are we a better team? We are. Can we do something these last six games? Yes. We all have to be better. Offensively, we have to be better at the beginning of the game."

Said center Nick Mangold: "We're in a tough spot. We've got to get back to work and hopefully turn this thing around, because the time is going to be running out quick."

Still, hope remains for the Jets, as it should. They're far from out of contention for a wild card spot. Bowles said he still believes his message is "getting through," as the Jets "have conscientious guys."

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"I don't think we're underachieving," Bowles continued. "I don't think we're executing. It's not about under or overachieving. It's a long season. There's still a lot of optimism. Nobody is giving up our optimism."

The issue for the Jets the past two weeks, both losses, is their inability to finish. They had chances late against the Texans, down seven points, but Fitzpatrick threw those two picks. Against the Bills, the Jets trailed 22-17 in the fourth quarter, and had first-and-10 at the Bills' 13. They couldn't score, and lost 22-17.

"We just have to finish," said strong safety Calvin Pryor. "That's it. We've been in every ball game, but we have to do a better job at finishing. I said coming into [Sunday], it was a must-win game, and we fell short. So it's very disappointing right now. We have to get back on track and start winning football games."

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Jets' Todd Bowles won't rule out benching Ryan Fitzpatrick for Geno Smith (Dom Cosentino) NJ Advance Media November 22, 2015

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/11/jets_todd_bowles_wont_rule_out_benching_ryan_fitzp.html#incart_river_index

HOUSTON — Todd Bowles offered a blunt assessment of quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick's play after the Jets' 24-17 loss at the Texans on Sunday at NRG Stadium.

"He had turnovers," Bowles said. "You can't have turnovers. I don't think we played great as an offense."

Bowles even pried open a can of worms by refusing to rule out the possibility of benching Fitzpatrick for Geno Smith.

"Not at this time," Bowles said of a quarterback change, just before he pivoted into mentioning it as a possibility.

"We'll meet on all that stuff on Monday," Bowles said in his next breath.

Fitzpatrick, in his return to face a Texans team that had traded him to the Jets, was just 19-for-39 for 216 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Both of those picks came in the final three minutes when the Jets had a shot at a tying touchdown.

Fitzpatrick's quarterback rating was just 52.9, the second straight game in which his rating was below 60.

Also for the second consecutive week, Fitzpatrick got off to a poor start. In the first half of his last two games, he is just 11-for-28 for 137 yards.

"The last two games, we've played good defenses, but it shouldn't matter who we play," Fitzpatrick said. "We came out slow in both games. We've got to find a way to come out faster and make some of the plays we're not making."

Given the Jets' myriad problems—their once-vaunted defense has proven to be a house of cards, their receivers keep making crucial drops, and they even got flagged for 12 men on the field in the fourth quarter after a timeout, for cryin' out loud—a quarterback change right now would feel like a desperation move.

It would also be a surprise.

Wide receiver Brandon Marshall, who had two drops, wouldn't pin the blame on Fitzpatrick alone. The offense as a whole had a season-low 267 total yards.

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"It's not all Ryan,' Marshall said. "It's the whole team. We have to make plays for Ryan, to get him going early. The coaches have to put him in better situations. Defensively, field position. Special teams, field position. We're all interconnected. So it's not one coach. It's not one player. It's all of us."

Asked if he was concerned about getting benched, Fitzpatrick said, "No."

So was Bowles saying that Monday meeting would include a discussion about who starts next Sunday when the Jets host the Dolphins?

"When we meet every Monday, our discussion involves who starts at every position," Bowles said.

Does that mean Bowles is not committed to Fitzpatrick?

"I'm still committed to Ryan," Bowles said. "I just don't think he played very well. Just like a lot of other people on both sides of the ball."

Did that mean Bowles was wavering on having Fitzpatrick start against the Dolphins?

"We'll discuss everything we're doing Monday," Bowles said, "like we always do."

Got that?

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Houston Texans 24, Jets 17: The good, the bad, and the ugly, as midseason slump continues (Darryl Slater) NJ Advance Media November 22, 2015

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2015/11/jets_xx_houston_texans_xx_the_good_the_bad_and_the.html#incart_river_index

HOUSTON — The Jets, who started the season 4-1, are now 1-4 in their past five games, and their playoff hopes are very much in question with six games left.

They put themselves in this precarious situation Sunday by losing 24-17 at the Texans, who were starting a third-string quarterback, T.J. Yates, and didn't have their second-best cornerback, Kareem Jackson.

Yet the Texans won anyway — the second straight defeat for the Jets — and now the Jets must string together some wins in their next few games.

They get the Dolphins, Giants, and Titans, with all three of those games at MetLife Stadium, though Jets-Giants is technically a road game for the Jets.

If the 5-5 Jets can't rally in the coming weeks, their hot start in Year 1 under coach Todd Bowles might wind up being worthless.

The Jets haven't made the playoffs since 2010, and a big reason is their struggles in November. The Jets are now 6-11 in that month since the beginning of the 2011 season. It's hard to reach the playoffs when you sputter like that in November.

One November game remains for the Jets, next week at home against Miami, which the Jets beat in Week 4 in London.

The Jets desperately need a repeat of that result, or else all the positive vibes from earlier this season will be long gone — if they aren't already.

The good: The Jets were able to move the ball with some degree of success in the second half, after doing nothing in the first half. The Jets tied the game at 10 in the third quarter, with an 87-yard touchdown drive

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that ended with a 21-yard Brandon Marshall catch on third-and-11. A big play. In the fourth quarter, the Jets drove 73 yards for a touchdown, cutting the Texans' lead to 24-17. But quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick didn't do enough when it counted. He threw interceptions on back-to-back fourth quarter drives, when the Jets trailed 24-17. A poor showing by Fitzpatrick in a big spot. Those two drives immediately followed the Jets' touchdown — a 6-yard Fitzpatrick run — that cut the lead to 24-17.

The bad: The Jets' offense was unquestionably a mess for most of the game, especially in the first half, when the Jets ran 21 plays for 57 yards, during five possessions. The Jets trailed 10-3 at halftime, against a Texans defense that had allowed just four field goals combined in its previous two games. The Jets on Sunday trailed 24-10 midway through the fourth quarter. At that point, they had converted just 3 of 12 third downs. But the Jets' defense also allowed too many big plays. Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins had touchdown catches of 20 and 61 yards. On the 61-yard score, Hopkins burned cornerback Darrelle Revis. The Jets also surrendered a 21-yard trick play touchdown — a pretty, cross-field throw from wide receiver Cecil Shorts to running back Alfred Blue, who rolled out of the backfield. That play was set up by a 35-yard Shorts catch that moved the Texans to the Jets' 32-yard line. Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie tried to jump the route, but the ball sailed past him. Shorts then had a clear field to run down.

The ugly: Revis — one of the Jets' most important players — exited the game late in the third quarter with a head injury. If Revis has to miss next Sunday's game against the Dolphins, that would significantly hurt the Jets' chances. It's not clear how serious Revis' situation is. He was able to walk off the field with trainers, after making a hard hit, but don't read too much into that. Head injuries can be unpredictable, and vary from player to player. If Revis is indeed diagnosed with a concussion, he'll have to go through the NFL's post-concussion assessment protocol before he's allowed to play or even practice again. Back_to_Top

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Jets’ coach Todd Bowles critical of rookie Devin Smith (Manish Mehta) New York Daily News November 22, 2015

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/jets-insider-todd-bowles-not-pleased-devin-smith-article-1.2443462

HOUSTON - The honeymoon for Devin Smith is officially over. The rookie wide receiver, who has been a disappointment so far, drew the wrath from Todd Bowles in the wake of the Jets' 24-17 loss to the Texans on Sunday.

Smith, known for his ability to track the deep ball at Ohio State, dropped what would have been a 46-yard touchdown in the third quarter.

"Our rookies have got to stop being rookies," Bowles said when asked about Smith. "They need to grow up. They get paid like everybody else and they've got to start acting like they're not in college any more."

Smith, frankly, has been a second-round no-show through the first 10 games. He finished with no catches on four targets. Last week, the Bills returned Smith's fumbled kickoff for a touchdown.

"It's tough, but I know my time is coming," said Smith,, who only has seven catches for 82 yards this season. "So I'm just going to keep working hard. When that day comes, everybody will know."

NICK CAN'T GET GRIP

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Pro Bowl center Nick Mangold didn't return after suffering lacerations between his right pinky and ring finger on the second drive of the game. Bowles said that X-rays came back negative, but Mangold, who missed the Raiders game due to a neck injury, will undergo more tests on Monday. Mangold, who had stitches to close up the cuts, didn't come back into the game because he "couldn't get a firm grip on the ball" to snap.

He's hopeful that he'll be able to play against the Dolphins next week.

"Completely random," Mangold said of the injury. "I haven't seen anything like this before. This is a new one."

GROUNDED

Chris Ivory left for a few plays on the first drive after banging his knee on the turf. He returned, but didn't exactly light it up. Ivory gained 36 yards on just eight carries on a day when the ground attack fizzled. The Jets gained 70 yards on 21 carries (3.3 yards per carry).

INJURY REPORT

Cornerback Dee Milliner was a healthy scratch. As expected Sheldon Richardson was inactive with a nagging hamstring injury that kept him out of practice all week.

BRIGHT SPOT

Bilal Powell is probably the only Jets player who can look himself in the mirror without throwing up. The running back had 4 carries for 22 yards and five receptions for 67 yards.

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Jets outplayed, outcoached by Texans in 24-17 loss, crushing blow to playoff hopes (Seth Walder) New York Daily News November 22, 2015

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/jets-outplayed-outcoached-texans-24-17-loss-article-1.2443255

HOUSTON — Thankgiving is still a few days away, but the Jets looked like turkeys on Sunday — cooked ones at that.

Getting outplayed, outcoached and outeverythinged by a team starting its backup quarterback, the Jets’ season and Gang Green’s hopes for a playoff spot continued to go South Sunday with a dismal 24-17 loss to the Texans.

Ryan Fitzpatrick was awful, Darrelle Revis - before getting hurt - was burned for a long touchdown and Bowles looked every bit the rookie head coach as the Jets, who, apparently with smoke and mirrors got off to a 4-1 start, fell to 5-5.

"I'm extremely upset today," Bowles said after the game. "We busted some things that we better damn well get better at."

Fitzpatrick and the offense - which totaled 58 yards in the first half - were so bad Sunday that Bowles even hinted Geno Smith, yes THAT Geno Smith, could start at quarterback next week vs. Miami.

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"I'm still committed to Ryan, I just don't think he played very well," Bowles said. But when pressed on if Fitzpatrick was still the starter, Bowles said it would be discussed on Monday like every other position. Though Bowles left himself a little wiggle room for a change, at this point it would be pretty stunning if he decided make a switch back to Smith.

Fitzpatrick, who completed 19 of 39 pass attempts for 216 yards with one passing touchdown, one rushing touchdown and two interceptions, said he was not concerned about losing his starting job, though he wasn't pleased with his performance against the Texans.

"I didn't play well," Fitzpatrick said. "There were a lot of throws I needed to make that I didn't make."

The loss continued a trend where the Jets lost to teams they appeared better than, including Buffalo last week and Oakland two weeks ago. But maybe, they just aren’t.

"(We've had) a couple games in a row now where we're sort of in games and have these teams that we're playing that we feel like we're better than but we're not winning," Ryan Fitzpatrick said. "It's very frustrating. We're not better than these teams, because they're beating us. So we've got to find a way to get over the hump."

The loss hurts the Jets' ever-decreasing playoff chances. They entered the game tied with the Bills for the second spot (Buffalo, which plays tonight, holds the tiebreaker). But with the loss Gang Green fell a half-game behind Buffalo for that spot and also slides back behind Houston in the wild card standings as well.

"What are we at, .500? That's not going to cut it," Breno Giacomini said. "Losing is not acceptable in this league."

The Jets’ fall is startling because of the impressive start. After five games, they appeared destined for the playoffs, but considering how they have played the last five games, would need a major turnaround just to have a shot.

"It is very frustrating. It sucks," Brandon Marshall, who had a touchdown but two drops, said. "But at the end of the day you have to pick yourself back up and fight."

The wide receiver tried to blame some of the team's issues on the amount of turnover they had in the offseason, saying, We had a lot of guys coming in, and what we're trying to do is unprecedented But that is no excuse."

Except it did sound like an excuse. And worse, it's a bad one, because there is nothing unprecedented about what the Jets did in the offseason. In fact, the influx of talent has helped them.

Bowles was clearly beaten in game planning by Bill O'Brien, who used the wildcat to perfection to make up for the fact that T.J. Yates was under center for his team with Brian Hoyer out with a concussion.

Cecil Shorts -- who acted as a part-time receiver, running back and wildcat quarterback for the Texans Sunday -- was particularly devastating to the Jets. On one drive in the third quarter Shorts had two catches for 51 yards, a run for five yards, and then threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Alfred Blue on a trick, double-pass play.

As expected, J.J. Watt wreaked havoc on the Jets in both the running and passing game. Watt had two sacks on Fitzpatrick, one each against Giacomini and D'Brickashaw Ferguson.

Once Revis went out, Yates went right after Marcus Williams, Revis' replacement, by throwing a touchdown pass to DeAndre Hopkins two plays after the injury.

Despite all the Jets struggles, Gang Green still had a shot to win this one late. Fitzpatrick scrambled for a six-yard touchdown with 4:27 left in the game to reduce the deficit to seven points.

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The Jets got the ball back with 3:08 left, but on 4th-and-5, the quarterback was picked off by Eddie Pleasant.

But Gang Green had one more shot. Again, they got the ball back, this time with 2:19 left at their own 20-yard line, though it was short-lived. Just inside the two-minute warning Fitzpatrick was intercepted again, this time by Andre Hal, to end the game.

"The feeling in the locker room sucks right now, we don't like losing, especially the fashion in which we came out and started slow," Fitzpatrick said. "That being said we've got a veteran group. We know it's week by week and if you start feeling sorry for yourself that's when you're going to get in trouble."

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Instant Analysis: Jets are in deep trouble after loss to Houston Texans (Manish Mehta) New York Daily News November 22, 2015

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/instant-analysis-jets-deep-trouble-texans-loss-article-1.2443262

HOUSTON - The Jets fell to 5-5 with a loss to the Texans.

What we learned:

The Jets, losers of four of their last five games, are in the midst of watching a once-promising season slip away after a 24-17 defeat to the Texans.

The offense sleepwalked through much of the game, the defense was horrible and the head coach looked every bit like a rookie. This was a complete embarrassment.

Ryan Fitzpatrick & Co. managed only 57 yards before intermission. Darrelle Revis was torched by DeAndre Hopkins before the Pro Bowl cornerback left in the third quarter with a head injury. Todd Bowles was out-coached by Bill O’Brien, whose creativity on offense (wildcat formations, double-pass for a TD) doomed the Jets.

Game ball:

DeAndre Hopkins is the real deal. He made Revis look like a high schooler en route to a 100-plus yard, two-touchdown performance. (More on this later.)

What this means:

The Jets are in big trouble.

Maybe they are what we thought they were before their white-hot start. Maybe they’re just a mediocre team. Not long ago, it appeared as if the Jets were entering the soft part of their schedule. Sunday proved that there are no cupcakes (except the inept Titans in a few weeks).

Good sign:

Brandon Marshall’s game-tying 21-yard touchdown catch four minutes into the second half was the first time the Texans gave up a touchdown in 13 quarters. The good vibes, however, were fleeting. The Jets allowed the Texans to march 80 yards on the ensuing drive for a touchdown that killed any momentum that Bowles’ team had.

Bad Sign:

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Revis was flat-out embarrassed by Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who had four receptions for 98 yards, including a 61-yard touchdown in the first half against the Jets Pro Bowler. Truth to be told, it could have been much worse for Revis, who was bailed out by T.J. Yates overthrow on the fourth play of the game on what should have been a 69-yard score.

Hopkins seemingly toyed with Revis. He got open by wide margins and even tossed in a highlight-reel one-handed 18-yard grab on Revis in the second quarter. Revis left for good with a head injury suffered trying to make a tackle on Akeem Hunt in the third quarter. Two plays later, Hopkins beat Marcus Williams for a 20-yard touchdown.

There have been plenty of signs this season that Revis is no longer the shutdown force that he used to be. He’s still one of the best in the business, but teams are aware that he can – and will –get beat.

Next week:

The Jets put the final nail in Joe Philbin’s coffin with a Week 4 win over the Dolphins in London. Bowles’ team suffocated Miami’s offense for much of the game. Philbin was fired the next day. Interim coach Dan Carpenter has breathed some life into the team, but Miami doesn’t appear to be a legitimate playoff contender. Then again, are the Jets now?

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WALL STREET JOURNAL

Jets’ Season in Peril After a Humiliation in Houston (Stu Woo) The Wall Street Journal November 22, 2015

http://www.wsj.com/articles/jets-season-in-peril-after-a-humiliation-in-houston-1448242569

HOUSTON — The Houston Texans looked like an easy match-up. “Their best running back is out, their quarterback is out and their cornerback is out,” Jets fan Andy Barberis said as he settled into his NRG Stadium field-level seat. Said his buddy Stu Novick: “We gotta win this game if we want to be in the mix.”

The Jets are no longer in that playoff mix. Nor do they deserve to be after Sunday’s humiliating 24-17 loss.

Instead of delivering revenge to the team that traded him to the Jets this past offseason, quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick completed only 19 of 39 pass attempts for 216 yards and threw two fourth-quarter interceptions. He and his running backs spent much of the afternoon buried in their backfield under Texans superstar defensive end JJ Watt, who had two sacks and five other tackles for a loss.

And the Jets’ own defense, renovated at a steep price this past offseason, couldn’t stop a backup quarterback named T.J. Yates. Even more worrisome: Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins repeatedly embarrassed Jets All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis, who left the game with a third-quarter concussion and might miss next Sunday’s home game against Miami.

After invigorating their fans by starting the season with a 4-1 record, the Jets have lost four of their past five games to drop to 5-5. To reach the playoffs for the first time since the 2010 season, the Jets will probably have to win at least four of their last six games against a slate of tough opponents, which includes the Giants, Patriots, Bills and the finally healthy Cowboys.

“We’re sort of in games and have these teams that we’re playing that we feel like we’re better than, but we’re not winning, it’s very frustrating,” Fitzpatrick said. “We’re not better than these teams because they keep beating us, so we’ve got to find a way to get over the hump.”

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In his past two games, both losses, Fitzpatrick has completed only 47% of his passes while throwing three touchdowns and four interceptions. Head coach Todd Bowles didn’t rule out benching Fitzpatrick and playing Geno Smith in next Sunday’s contest. “I’m still committed to Ryan,” Bowles said. “I just don’t think he played very well.” The coach said he would evaluate who would start at quarterback on Monday, as he said he does every Monday.

After a scoreless first quarter in which Fitzpatrick and Yates took turns throwing incompletions, the teams traded field goals early in the second quarter. Then came the unexpected twist with five minutes left in the half: Hopkins beat the heralded Revis for a 61-yard touchdown reception.

Jets left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson and right tackle Breno Giacomini couldn’t slow down Watt, who in the first two quarters alone tallied one sack and three other tackles for a loss.

The Jets offense finally clicked early in the third quarter. Ivory ran up the left side sideline for 23 yards before Fitzpatrick threw deep to Eric Decker, who drew a 44-yard pass-interference penalty. On third-and-11, Fitzpatrick found Brandon Marshall for a 21-yard touchdown that evened the score at 10.

The momentum shift was brief. On the ensuing Texans drive, Yates led his team downfield before a trick play. Yates threw a lateral to receiver Cecil Shorts III, who then threw to a wide-open running back Alfred Blue for a 21-yard score.

The Jets then went three-and-out before the costliest drive of the game. Revis left the game with a concussion after tackling Houston running back Akeem Hunt. Two plays later, Hopkins beat the new guy covering him, Jets cornerback Marcus Williams, for a 20-yard touchdown catch that gave the Texans a 24-10 lead.

On the next drive, Fitzpatrick advanced the ball to midfield and threw a perfect deep pass to Devin Smith down the left sideline, but the rookie receiver dropped what would’ve been a 46-yard touchdown. Fitzpatrick then did little until 4:20 left in the fourth quarter, when he finished a 73-yard drive by charging headfirst into the end zone for a six-yard rushing touchdown.

The Jets defense forced a three-and-out, but Fitzpatrick threw a fourth-down interception to Eddie Pleasant with 2:47 left. The Jets defense again got the ball back, but Fitzpatrick threw another pick, this time to Andre Hal, to seal the win for the Texans, who improved to 5-5.

The playoff window is narrowing for the Jets. They have an aging offensive line that next Sunday might be without Pro Bowl center Nick Mangold, who left the game early after gashing his right hand between his ring finger and pinky. Their top two cornerbacks, Revis and Antonio Cromartie, are now in their 30s and struggling to keep receivers in front of them.

As Yates knelt three times to end the game, Novick, a 50-year-old financial analyst on his annual Jets road trip with his three friends, headed for the exits: “Guess they’re not going to the Super Bowl,” he said. “For the 47th time in a row.”

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METRO

Jets now in a tailspin after loss to Texans: 3 things we learned (Kristian Dyer) Metro New York November 22, 2015

http://www.metro.us/new-york/jets-now-in-a-tailspin-after-loss-to-texans-3-things-we-learned/zsJokv---qzBVSYLNgzmQ/

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The Jets are now in a free fall, losers of four of their last five games, following a 24-17 loss at the Houston Texans Sunday. With the loss, the Jets are now 5-5.

Perhaps their worst game of the season, the Jets never led in Houston, going down 3-0 early in the second quarter and tying the game at 10-10 in the third quarter when Ryan Fitzpatrick found Brandon Marshall for a 21-yard reception. But they were forever chasing, their offense stuck in neutral until the third quarter and the defense showing very little.

It was a sloppy game on both sides of the ball for the Jets, who fell behind 24-10 early in the fourth quarter. New York had seven penalties for 54 yards but it was the untimely character of most of the penalties that sunk this team at important moments.

To make matters worse, Darrelle Revis left with a head injury to undergo concussion protocol.

Three Things We Learned from the Jets in Week 11:

1. Defensive Struggles

Against Texans backup quarterback, T.J. Yates, the Jets struggled to stop the offense. Yates had a solid day, as did DeAndre Hopkins - who had five catches for 118 yards and two touchdowns. The Jets pass rush was supposed to have a field day but had just one sack, allowing the secondary to get picked apart by a methodical Texans offense. Head coach Todd Bowles was supposed to be a defensive guru but his unit has been average at best in recent weeks.

2. Fitzpatrick? Thumbs Meh

After having surgery for torn ligaments in his left thumb nine days earlier, Fitzpatrick didn't miss a start as he played every snap against his old team. Against the Texans, he looked decidedly average. There was a third quarter touchdown pass to Brandon Marshall and then a six-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. But there were also some bad throws down the field as well as two fourth quarter interceptions that killed any chance of a Jets comeback. Fitzpatrick doesn't shoulder all the blame as he is clearly not at 100 percent. Perhaps Geno Smith is a better option at this juncture.

3. Houston, We Have a Meltdown

After a 3-1 start to the year, the Jets are in serious trouble. Not only have they dropped to 5-5, the win levels the Texans' record to 5-5 - allowing another team to get into Wild Card position. It is hard to see this team making the postseason, at this point, with six games left. The Jets have very little room for error moving forward. Frankly, they just aren't good enough right now to extend their season.

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SUNDAY’S SPORTS TRANSACTIONS

BASEBALL

National League

WASHINGTON NATIONALS — Signed OF Chris Heisey and INF Scott Sizemore to minor-league contracts.

HOCKEY

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National Hockey League

COLORADO AVALANCHE — Reassigned G Calvin Pickard to San Antonio (AHL).

NASHVILLE PREDATORS — Claimed D Petter Granberg off waivers from Toronto.

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING — Reassigned Fs Mike Blunden and Mike Angelidis and D Luke Witkowski to Syracuse (AHL).

COLLEGE

IOWA STATE — Fired football coach Paul Rhoads, effective at the end of the season.

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