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Week 16 Game Recap: New York Jets 6, Tennessee Titans 10
What you need to know
| New York Jets |
The New York Jets traveled south to meet up against conference opponent, the Tennessee Titans. In what most had predicted to be a defense battle, the Jets and Titans combined for 16 hard fought points, only to see Tennessee keep their playoff hopes alive as they pulled out the victory. Quarterback Chad Pennington got the nod after an injured Kellen Clemens was declared inactive, and proceeded to connect on all but six passes en route to 264 yards through the air. Pennington who also added a touchdown and two interceptions was consistent through the game, however was just not capable of making that big play to boost the Jets offense.
On the ground, New York found little success, racking up only 68 total yards on 23 carries. The unimpressive three yards per carry allowed Tennessee to stack the box with seven and eight defenders for most of the game, forcing Chad Pennington to win the game down field, which he was unable to pull off. Thomas Jones received the bulk of the load as he carried 21 times, gaining 58 yards. The Jets found much more success through the air, as Pennington was able to move the ball in between the twenties racking up over 250 yards and finding seven different Jets receivers. Jerricho Cotchery lead all Jets pass catchers with 152 yards on eight receptions and a touchdown, his second of the year.
The Jets defense played their part and brought the Tennessee offense to a streaking halt, allowing only 273 total yards while forcing two crucial turnovers. They held the dangerous Vince Young to under 200 yards through the air, allowing no touchdowns, and forcing him into his lone mistake throwing an interception. They stood strong against the rush, however were outmatched, as the Titans accumulated 127 total yards and scored the Titans lone touchdown.
| Tennessee Titans |
The Tennessee Titans looked to keep their playoff hopes alive as they welcomed the 3-11 Jets to town for a week 16 showdown. Vince Young did enough to allow the Titans to sneak out with a win, throwing for 166 yards and a adding another interception to his rising total. He completed a little over 50 percent of his passes and was again ineffective using his scrambling ability out of the pocket, as he was only able gain one yard on seven carries.
The Titans ground game, set the pace and took control of the game, grinding out 127 yards on 36 carries. LenDale White led all rushers with 103 yards on 23 carries, giving way to fellow back Chris Brown, and allowing him to record his fourth touchdown of the year. This rushing duo played the most vital of roles, keeping the clock running, and keeping the Titans defensive unit fresh on the sidelines. Roydell Williams led all Titans receivers, as he was able to bring in four balls for 54 total yards against a quick and physical Jets secondary.
The Tennessee defensive unit was stout for four quarters as the limited the Jets offense to less than 300 yards, giving up a lone touchdown pass in the second quarter. This physical unit completely shut down the Jets rushing attack, holding them to a clip of three yards per carry and denying them to find the end zone on the ground. Through the air, they were equally as effective, forcing two interceptions and tallying six sacks in the winning effort.
What you ought to know
| QB Chad Pennington, Pass: 26 - 32 - 264 - 1 TD / 2 INT, Rush: 2 - 5 - 0 |
Pennington showed that he still has what it takes to run an offense, completing 26 of 32 passes for 264 yards and a touchdown. In the second quarter Pennington hit Jerricho Cotchery in the back of the end zone, bringing the Jets within a point of the Titans. The extra point from Mike Nugent was blocked and the Jets were never able to put anymore points on the board as Pennington was forced to pass, leading to two interceptions on the day. Pennington again showed his pinpoint accuracy while also proving that he is still incapable of throwing the ball deep and spreading out the defense.
| RB Thomas Jones, Rush: 21 - 58 - 0, Rec: 3 - 5 - 0 (4 targets) |
Thomas Jones again found no room to run as he averaged a mere 2.7 yards per rush, finishing the day with only 63 total yards. Jones also saw four targets come his way as he surprisingly out produced fellow running back Leon Washington catching passes out of the backfield. He was a clear check down most of the game for Pennington, as his three catches totaled only five yards.
| RB Leon Washington, Rush: 1 - 5 - 0, Rec: 2 - 2 - 0 (2 targets) |
The recently named MVP of the Jets had a slow day as he accounted for only seven total yards by air and land. He carried the ball once for five yards and added two yards receiving, catching both of his targets from Pennington.
| WR Jerricho Cotchery, Rec: 8 - 152 - 1 (9 targets) |
Cotchery had a break out game as he caught eight of his nine targets for 152 yards and a touchdown. He was the clear option for Pennington, as he led the team in targets yet again and was able to find space all day against the Titans secondary. On the Jets lone scoring play of the game, Pennington was able to find Cotchery in the back of the end zone for a nine yard scoring play. The subsequent extra point was then blocked and the Jets were unable to put points on the board the rest of the game.
| WR Brad Smith, Rec: 5 - 45 - 0 (8 targets) |
Smith saw the second most targets from quarterback Chad Pennington, as he hauled in five of eight for 45 total yards. He was surprisingly used as only a receiving option, getting no rushes or passing attempts from a Jets team who usually utilizes this offensive threat.
| WR Justin McCareins, Rec: 2 - 9 - 0 (2 targets) |
McCareins only saw two targets in the game, bringing them both in, for nine total yards.
| TE Chris Baker, Rec: 4 - 40 - 0 (5 targets) |
Baker was again a go to weapon for Pennington and the Jets, bringing in four of his five targets for 40 yards. He was an open in inside and sideline routes and was even used as a deep threat, hooking up with Pennington on gains of 17 and 18 yards respectively.
| PK Mike Nugent 0 - 1 FG, 0 - 1 XP, 0 points |
Nugent missed his only field goal try on the day, while also allowing his PAT attempt to be blocked on the Jets only touchdown of the day.
| NYJ Rush Defense |
The Jets rush defense showed its weakness against a physical Tennessee front, giving up 127 total yards on the ground as the allowed Titans running back, LenDale While, to eclipse the century mark. Knowing Tennessee's main game plan would be to run and run some more, New York could not answer the bell as they continuously gave up first downs on the ground, preventing this unit to get off the field. White, along with Brown, led the rushing attack against the Jets, scoring the only Tennessee offensive touchdown on a four yard Brown scamper.
| NYJ Pass Defense |
The Jets pass defense showed up and caused the Titans passing game fits, holding the very dangerous Vince young to only 166 yards passing. They kept the Jets in the game by totaling three sacks and forcing two turnovers in the losing effort.
| QB Vince Young, Pass: 12 - 22 - 166 - 0 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 7 - 1 - 0 |
Young had a less than stellar day as he completed only 12 of 22 passes for 166 yards and no touchdowns. Along with the goose egg in his TD column, Young also added to his ever rising interception total, throwing his 17th pick of the season. His scrambling ability was also contained as he only managed to gain one yard on seven rushes.
| RB LenDale White, Rush: 23 - 103 - 0 (1 targets) |
White was the workhorse again for the Titans as he rushed 23 times for 103 yards. It was his fifth 100 yard game of the season and helped him eclipse the 1,000 yard mark for the first time in his career. White ran hard and found holes to run through as he kept the chains moving and the Jets defense on the field. He was the focal point of the offense and was the deciding factor where on a third and six, he gained seven yards, picking up the first down and sending the Jets packing with their 12th loss of the season.
| RB Chris Brown, Rush: 5 - 15 - 1 (1 targets) |
Chris Brown provided a breather for LenDale White and in turn was rewarded with the Titans only offensive touchdown of the game. On a second and goal from the four, it was Brown who finished the drive with a four yard touchdown run, his fourth on the season. He made the most out of his limited work as he rushed five times for 15 yards and saw one target, which fell incomplete
| WR Roydell Williams, Rec: 4 - 54 - 0 (6 targets) |
Roydell Williams saw six targets in the game, catching four of them for 54 yards. He was the leading receiver for the Titans and was key in moving the chains on many third and long situations.
| WR Justin Gage, Rec: 3 - 48 - 0 (6 targets) |
Gage saw six targets in the game and made the most of his speed, catching three balls for 48 yards. He was the deep threat for the Titans as he and Vince Young were able to hook up on a pretty 29 yard pass play.
| WR Eric Moulds, Rec: 1 - 12 - 0 (2 targets) |
Moulds only saw two targets on the day, recording one catch for 12 yards.
| TE Ben Hartsock, Rec: 1 - 27 - 0 (2 targets) |
Hartsock saw two targets come his way as he brought one of them in for a 27 yard gain.
| TE Bo Scaife, Rec: 1 - 12 - 0 (1 targets) |
Scaife saw only one target, which was good for a 12 yard completion.
| PK Rob Bironas 1 - 1 FG, 1 - 1 XP, 4 points |
Bironas was able to connect on a lone 46 yard attempt while also adding a PAT.
| TEN Rush Defense |
The Titans rush defense was fierce all game, as they completely shut down the Jets attack, allowing them to gain a total 68 yards. They provided no room to run and forced the Jets passing attack to win the game.
| TEN Pass Defense |
The pass defense of the Titans was called on to seal the victory as Tennessee often put seven and eight men in the box to stop the run. It was this unit who bent but did not break, allowing Chad Pennington to throw for 264 yards, and his tenth touchdown of the season. In the end however, this unit was able to stop the Jets aerial assault, forcing Pennington into two interceptions and sacking him a total of six times.
