Week 5 Game Recap: New York Jets 0, Jacksonville Jaguars 41

What you need to know

New York Jets

The Jets got off to a slow start as usual. The problem for them was that unlike their past games, New York never was able to recover to get into this game.

Chap Pennington’s pass attempt to Laveranues Coles was intercepted on New York’s seventh offensive play of the game’s opening drive. Four plays later Jacksonville had a 7-0 lead after Maurice Jones-Drew ran nearly untouched right up the gut of the Jets’ defense for a six yard touchdown. As it turned out, the touchdown was all the points that the Jaguars would need as the Jets were never able to get untracked and were shut out for the first time this season.

Rookie running back, Leon Washington, was the only bright spot for New York. Washington was given the ball 23 times and became The Jets’ first 100 yard runner of the season with his 101 yard effort. Washington’s effort helped New York to amass more rushing yards than passing yards for the first time all season.

Chad Pennington had his worst game so far. He managed only 71 passing yards and threw three interceptions.

Special teams also hurt the Jets. Early in the second quarter, an illegal blocking penalty forced the Jets to re-punt. The original punt resulted in Jacksonville starting at their own 20 yard line. However, Gerald Sensabaugh blocked Ben Graham’s next kick and Jorge Cordova recovered it at New York’s eight yard line. Three Maurice Jones-Drew runs later, Jacksonville had a 21-0 lead and the game was effectively over.

The Jets did reach the Jaguars’ one yard line early in the fourth quarter, but Leon Washington was stopped just short of the goal line on fourth down. The Jets never seriously threatened again.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville defense pounced on the Jets early when Brian Williams intercepted Chad Pennington’s second pass attempt of the game and set the Jaguar offense up for its first drive at the 50 yard line. Four plays later rookie Maurice Jones-Drew found a huge gap in the New York defense for a six yard touchdown run. The key play on the drive was a 32 yard screen pass to Fred Taylor. Taylor broke Brad Kassell’s attempted tackle and then found plenty of room to run.

The Jaguars scored touchdowns on four of their first five possessions and took a 28-0 lead into halftime. The defense never allowed the Jets to get into the game and pitched their second shutout of the season.

Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew were a potent two headed attack and helped the Jaguars rush for 181 yards while controlling the clock. Taylor finished with 111 yards and one touchdown, while Jones-Drew added 59 yards and two scores.

The effective ground game allowed Byron Leftwich to pick and chose his spots. Leftwich passed for only 140 yards and completed only 45 percent of his passes, but protected the ball and threw for two touchdowns.

Gerald Sensabaugh blocked a Ben Graham punt. Jorge Cordova recovered the kick at New York’s eight yard line to set up the Jaguars’ third touchdown and effectively put the game out of reach before halftime.

What you ought to know

QB Chad Pennington, Pass: 10 - 17 - 71 - 0 TD / 3 INT, Rush: 2 - 17 - 0

Pennington had his worst game of the season and the Jets’ offense was unable score for the first time all year. The normally stingy quarterback threw three interceptions for the first time since the 2004 season. The Jaguars’ defense was able to generate pressure up front, which allowed the defensive backs to sit back and jump in front of Jets’ receivers. Two of his interceptions occurred when Pennington either did not see the defenders or thought he could force the pass into coverage. Pennington’s first interception came on a pass thrown well behind Laveranues Coles. Coles reached back with one arm and was able only to tip the ball before it fluttered into the arms of Brian Williams.

Pennington ran twice for 17 yards, including a 13 yard run for a first down. However, he slid too early on a third down and five play and gained only four yards.

QB Kellen Clemens, Pass: 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 1 - 2 - 0

Clemens saw the first action of his career in relief of Pennington late in the game. He twice tried to connect with Justin McCareins, but his passes were off the mark. (One of the plays was negated by a penalty.) Clemens had a two yard scramble. He lost a fumble when he was sacked on the penultimate play of the game.

RB Leon Washington, Rush: 23 - 101 - 0, Rec: 1 - 8 - 0 (1 targets)

Washington had a career game, rushing for 101 yards on 23 attempts. His 101 yards more than doubled the output by any other Jet ball carrier this year. Likewise, Washington’s 19 yard gain is easily the Jets’ longest run of the season so far. He was stopped just short of the goal line on an fourth down and one play.

Washington’s speed has given the anemic running game some life and may have taken control of the number one position on the depth chart.

Washington chipped in one reception for eight yards.

RB Kevan Barlow, Rush: 4 - -1 - 0, Rec: 1 - -1 - 0 (1 targets)

Although Barlow had been bothered with a calf injury during the week, he started at tailback for the fourth straight game. He only had four attempts, however, for minus one yard, while Leon Washington had a career day. It is not clear whether Barlow was rested because of calf injury or due to the effectiveness of Washington.

RB B.J. Askew, Rush: 2 - 5 - 0

Askew gained five yards from the Jacksonville eight yard line and was then stopped for no gain from the one yard line two plays later. Askew had no chance on the play as the Jaguars’ defense engulfed him behind the line.

RB Derrick Blaylock

Blaylock was active for the first time in the past three weeks, but did not carry the ball and was not targeted.

RB Cedric Houston

Houston injured his knee last week and is expected to miss at least one more game.

WR Jerricho Cotchery, Rec: 4 - 49 - 0 (4 targets)

Cotchery led the Jets in receptions and yardage. He caught all four balls thrown his way. Among his receptions were gains of 20 and 19 yards.

WR Brad Smith, Rush: 2 - 8 - 0, Rec: 1 - -4 - 0 (3 targets)

Smith ran for five yards on the Jets’ first play of the game. Two plays later, he lined up at quarterback and sneaked for three yards to convert a first down. Smith’s reception came on a swing pass that did not fool the Jaguars’ defense.

WR Laveranues Coles, Rec: 3 - 19 - 0 (7 targets)

Coles started this game tied for the league lead with 30 receptions, but managed only three catches for 19 yards as the Jet passing game struggled mightily. He dropped a pass he should have caught. Coles lost another short reception when he was called for offensive pass interference.

WR Tim Dwight

Dwight was not targeted in the game.

WR Justin McCareins (3 targets)

McCareins had no receptions for the third straight game. Two of his three targets came while rookie quarterback Kellen Clemens was in the game during mop-up time.

TE Chris Baker (2 targets)

Baker was targeted twice, but did not catch any passes. He came close to making a pretty one handed catch, but could not quite reel the pass in before being tackled.

PK Mike Nugent 0 - 0 FG, 0 - 0 XP, 0 points

Nugent did not have any chances on the day.

NYJ Rush Defense

The Jets' run defense allowed the Jaguars to run for 181 yards. Both Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew were effective gaining yardage and running the clock against the New York defense. Jacksonville averaged 4.6 yards per attempt with three rushing touchdowns. Bryan Thomas was credited with eight solo tackles.

NYJ Pass Defense

Jacksonville gained only 131 net yards through the air, but Byron Leftwich was not forced to throw often. The New York defense held Leftwich under a 50 percent completion rate, but allowed two touchdown passes. Reggie Williams couldn’t have been more open on the second occasion. Eric Barton had five solo tackles, an assist, and was credited with the Jets’ only sack of the game. Barton and Jonathan Vilma were both called for very questionable roughing the passes penalties that extended Jaguar drives.

QB Byron Leftwich, Pass: 9 - 20 - 140 - 2 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 4 - 2 - 0

Leftwich completed only 45 percent of his 20 passes for 140 yards. However, Leftwich led the Jaguars to a turnover free day and threw two touchdown passes. The first touchdown pass was a one yard toss to George Wrighster on a third and goal play. Leftwich also found Reggie Williams wide open in the end zone for a 16 yard reception in the third quarter.

Leftwich was forced to leave the game for one play after he was shaken up by an Eric Barton hit, but returned and showed no lasting effects.

QB David Garrard

Garrard played for one snap when Byron Leftwich was shaken up.

RB Fred Taylor, Rush: 21 - 111 - 1, Rec: 1 - 32 - 0 (2 targets)

Taylor had his first 100 yard game of the season. He was given the majority of the carries and remained sharp throughout the contest. Taylor’s long run went for 14 yards. His touchdown was a 13 yard run through a huge hole up the middle. Taylor’s 32 yard reception came on a screen pass. On the play, he broke the open–field tackle attempt of Brad Kassell to free himself for big yardage. Taylor exhibited the quickness and maneuverability to bounce runs outside when there was no hole in the middle of the line.

Taylor dropped the other pass (a quick out) thrown his way.

RB Maurice Jones-Drew, Rush: 13 - 59 - 2 (2 targets)

Jones-Drew averaged just over 4.5 yards on his 13 attempts. Jones-Drew ran hard, frequently breaking tackles and moving the pile. His second touchdown run was a four yard jaunt. Jones was hit three yards shy of the end zone, but kept his legs churning and carried the New York defense just far enough to break the plane of the end zone. Many of his yards gained came after initial contact.

Jones-Drew was targeted twice unsuccessfully. He returned one kickoff for 20 yards.

WR Reggie Williams, Rush: 1 - 9 - 0, Rec: 4 - 53 - 1 (8 targets)

Williams was Jacksonville’s most targeted receiver and led them in receptions and yardage on the day. In addition to his 16 yard touchdown catch, Williams had a 17 yard reception. Williams lost a 25 yard catch due to a penalty. Williams had a pass go of his fingertips in the end zone. It would have been a tough grab, but was not uncatchable. Had he made the reception it would have been a 22 yard touchdown.

Williams ran an end around for a nine yard gain on the first play of Jacksonville’s second possession.

WR Cortez Hankton, Rec: 1 - 2 - 0 (1 targets)

Hankton caught his first pass of the season for a modest two yard gain.

WR Ernest Wilford, Rec: 1 - 40 - 0 (2 targets)

Wilford was targeted only two times. He made the most of his one reception, turning a quick out into a 40 yard gain with a broken tackle and a sprint down the sideline.

WR Chad Owens (1 targets)

Owens had his first target of the season, but the pass was incomplete.

WR Matt Jones

Jones did not play due to a groin injury.

TE George Wrighster, Rec: 2 - 13 - 1 (4 targets)

Wrighster caught his first touchdown pass of the year on a third and goal play from the one yard line. Wrighster’s other reception gained 12 yards.

TE Kyle Brady (2 targets)

Brady dropped both passes thrown his way.

PK Josh Scobee 2 - 2 FG, 5 - 5 XP, 11 points

Scobee had a perfect day hitting five extra points. He also kicked field goals of 43 and 40 yards.

JAX Rush Defense

Jacksonville allowed rookie running back Leon Washington to gain 101 yards on 23 carries, but the Jets only seriously threatened one time and during that series, The Jaguars stuffed Jet ball carriers three times from inside the three yard line. The unit played without injured defensive tackle Marcus Stroud. Linebacker Mike Peterson strained a shoulder in the first half and did not return.

JAX Pass Defense

The Jaguars’ pass defense had an outstanding day and was instrumental in helping the team to post its second shutout of the season. New York quarterbacks were under pressure throughout the game. Jacksonville recorded six sacks and gave up only 45 net passing yards while picking off Chad Pennington three times and forcing a Kellen Clemens fumble. Brian Williams, Terry Cousin, and Deon Grant each contributed interceptions.