Fumbling Fools :: New York Jets (Madden 16)

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Changes Ahead
Ivory to return; Geno Smith slated for start



NJ - If ever a team needed a break its the Jets, as after flying to a 2-0 start, they have contrived to lose 2 on the spin and go into Week 5 having a much needed bye.

Unfortunately after said bye, the Jets will welcome the undefeated Redskins to the Metlife Stadium, adding more pressure to their current situation. As with all struggling teams, changes can often breath new life into things and for the Jets they will have the immediate boost of Chris Ivory returning from injury.

Ivory's return is likely to push Zac Stacy back down the pecking order as Todd Bowles said "When Chris (Ivory) is healthy he will be our guy. We started the year that way and we will look to go through the season that way. Its good that Stacy has put in a good shift when needed, but we have our starters and right now Chris is that man"

Beyond Ivory though the big talking point is the probable start for Geno Smith, taking over at QB from Ryan Fitzpatrick. The Jets passing game has yet to get going, ticking over at 'just enough' and surviving on the occasional big play. However it appears this has come to a head and the return of Geno Smith will delight those who believe he will and can be the franchise QB for the Jets.

Smith himself said "Ive been ready to play from Week 1 and thats not changed. Ill take my chance and wont look back"

Bye weeks can often be a nuisance, but for the Jets, this Bye week may just save their season.

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Week Six:

There's Value in Ivory!
Redskins toppled by Geno & Co.

NJ - 0-7 thats how Geno Smith started this game and thats how we will start the recap as the Jets QB was dismal and the Jets themselves on the brink of being blown out as the Redskins (5-0) took full advantage to score via a pick-6 and then thanks to Boykins combining with McCoy.

But that was just the prelude to what was to come as the 2nd quarter became wild, not only as Colt McCoy would not finish it due to breaking his collarbone, but also for the spate of turnovers and the resurgence of Chris Ivory who would score twice within the space of 12 seconds.

The Jets again conceeded on the back of a turnover as Galette collected from a Smith spill, but a last gasp Field Goal ensured the scores remained close going into the 2nd half.

Washington would score the only points of the 3rd quarter as a struggling Robert Griffin III would get the Redskins into the RedZone and allow the running game to do the rest and with the scores at 28-20 Washington, you would only bank on 1 winner.

However the 4th quarter again turned up the heat, this time Revis collected another pick, but more importantly Geno Smith came alive and would put together a pair of scoring drives as he notched up over 100yds passing in the 4th alone.

Washington did have a chance with the ball after the Marshall TD had put the Jets ahead by 1, but Griffin III was unable to do anything bar go 4 and out and thus end the Redskins undefeated record in the wildest of circumstances.

Post Game:
Todd Bowles (NYJ): "Sometimes words dont do things justice and maybe I cant put today's game into words for you. From our perspective we held on in there when things got tough, we worked through some kinks in the gameplan and beat a good team. We had some positives and Geno (Smith) came up for us, but we still have to strive for better"

Jay Gruden (WAS): "When the players look back on how they lost theirfirst game this season, im sure there will be regerets. We had a chance to come away from here and remain unbeaten, but small things beat us and in the end I think we beat ourselves. Colt (McCoy) isnt good, he probably wont play a part in the regular season this year, so we have to adjust and I think that showed in why we slumped so badly without Colt today"

Game Center:

Scoring Summary



Individual Notables



Team Matchup

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Week Seven:

No Brady, No Gronk, No Worries!
Patriots ground Jets

NE - The Patriots came into this rivalry matchup on the back of having just lost Tom Brady for 4 weeks due to a broken thumb, compounding the loss of TE Rob Gronkowski as arguably the Patriots had lost its prime offensive weapons.

Fortunately for them they had backups and its those backups that managed to do a number on the Jets, more so on the Jets defense as one of the leagues best got lit up by Garappolo and his supporting cast.

Garappolo would combine to great effect with Dobson, who would go on to catch for 183yds and a pair of touchdowns. In total the Patriots would break the goaline 5 times, as it seemed they would never stop scoring on the once masterful Jets defense.

In response Geno Smith did put up a solid performance but as with previous outings, the Jets just could not get it done when it mattered and as such slip back to 3-3 on the year, a way of the Patriots both in the standings and on the field performance.

Post Game:
Todd Bowles (NYJ): "Did we underestimate them? I dont think we did, I know we prepared the same way whether they had injuries or not, but today we got caught out by a better team. I think some of our wins this year have covered holes in our team and we could easily be a 1-5 team and staring down a barrel"

Jimmy Garappolo (NE): "Im always ready to go, its what this team ensures we do in practice and that goes for every player on this roster. You have to be 100% to step in at all times and today I got my shot. Tom (Brady) was a great help for me in preparation and who better to learn from than one of the games greatest"

Game Center:

Scoring Summary



Individual Notables



Team Matchup

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Week Eight:

Jets in a Jumble!
Defense goes missing in Raider loss

OAK - Last week becomes this week for the Jets as they struggle once again to find the right performance and take a heavy loss to the improving Raiders.

Oakland immediately stamped their intention on the game when Murray rushed home from 40+ yards. This would be the first of his 2 rushing TDs, added to by Helu Jr. who also bust the endzone for a pair of his own.

In the midst of that, the Jets rallied briefly with Geno Smith finding Kellen Davis for a score in the 1st, but that would be as close as it got for the Jets as the Raiders put down their authority in the 2nd quarter, before killing the game with a pick and a forced fumble on Geno Smith in the 3rd.

New York and Oakland both share 3-4 records going into Week 9 and the halfway point of their seasons, but after this showing its the Raiders who will be looking forward with optimism.

Post Game:
Todd Bowles (NYJ): "We had some problems out there with communication, it left us in a situation we hadnt prepared for and things like that can ruin a gameplan. Overall though we have to hang in games when things dont go our way, but we failed and credit to Oakland for taking us to task"

Jack Del Rio (OAK): "Credit goes to everyone who executed today, we have had some tough moments this year but we stuck to our guns and today got some rewards for the work and effort everyone here has put in. Not many gave us a chance to run over the Jets like we did, but Murray and Helu (Jr) both showed their talent and what we have to work with for the rest of the season"

Game Center:

Scoring Summary



Individual Notables



Team Matchup

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Rookie Looks
Should Jets turn to Petty?



NJ - It is a question that we shouldnt really be asking, especially 7 weeks into the season, but you can bet that Jets fans are looking for answers as after losing 4 from their last 5, including 2 bruisers on the spin, do the Jets turn to yet another Quarterback?

Their choices are getting pretty thin, infact if the Jets do go different that its a case of starting Rookie Bryce Petty from Baylor, who is known for his big arm, but could be considered inconsistent to really feature as a NFL starter.

So far the Jets have got a combined 1400yds, 10TDs and 6INTs from Fitzpatrick and Smith, not the numbers you would expect or need from a team looking to break its recent playoff drought.

However what this pair bring is experience and knowledge to the field and its that, which is likely to keep the Jets in the mix as even at 3-4, a win at home to the Jaguars would leave them in touch going into the business end of the season.

There is little word coming out of the Jets camp as to whether a change will be made, but a team with weapons such as Marshall, Decker and Davis all to aim for, this team is crying out for a leader at Quarterback.... we just dont know who it is yet.

[bestbrother]

Week Nine:

Thank 'Folk' For That!
Jets kicker chokes before saving the day

NJ - A stop-start encounter between the Jets and Jags at Metlife Stadium today as the teams fell foul of the penalty flag more times than we can count, as neither side could really gain any serious momentum.

For the Jets it was a big day as they gave Rookie Bryce Petty his first start at Quarterback, hoping to overcome the various woes given to them by Fitzpatrick and Smith in the opening weeks of the season.

And it would be Petty who got things going for the Jets, getting them into the Redzone early, only to fall shy of a touchdown as the hosts would go 6-0 ahead thanks to a pair of Field Goals.

Jacksonville would rally and kick one of their own to end the half, but it was a grubby encounter that would need some life injecting into it in the 2nd. The Jags would tie things with another Graham field goal in the 3rd, before Petty finally got things going his way as he got the Jets inside the Jags 5' to allow Chris Ivory to bust home.

A 2nd score this time via Petty's first TD pass to Smith looked to have clinched things early in the 4th for the Jets, but Folk would go on to shank his XP effort leaving the Jets ahead 19-6.

Folk then compounded that error by missing a 40 yard field goal, something the Jets would look to rue as back to back Thomas receptions put the Jaguars in charge and ahead 20-19 with less than 2 minutes remaining.

Petty had to lead a last stand for the Jets and although he struggled to get down the field, he would leave Folk a 35yd effort, that finally split the posts to give New York a dramatic and vital 22-20 win.

Post Game:
Bryce Petty (NYJ): "Im thankful for the staff here believing in me and my ability. I know I have alot to learn and along road ahead of me to establish myself with the Jets and in the NFL, but playing is the best way I can do that and its up to me to make sure I get the call every week to lead this teams offense"

Blake Bortles (JAX): "I mean you could see he has the ability to play in this league, so its credit he did so well on his debut. But if I am honest, we have to look within ourselves as to why we failed to come away from here with a win. Once we took the lead, we need to be able to deliver that and not look back at another game that has got away"

Game Center:

Scoring Summary



Individual Notables



Team Matchup

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STANDINGS



LEAGUE LEADERS

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:: AROUND THE NFL ::

Highlights:

Pats and Cards Lead the Way!
Surprise may be an unusual term to use when assessing the Patriots at 7-1, however we are not looking at the norm' in New England but a team that has been devoid of Brady and Gronkowski for the most part of this season. Jimmy Garappolo has stepped up to fill Brady's shoes and those thinking that the Patriots will drop off the radar without Brady, may well be thinking again.

In the NFC its Arizona who have come through 8 games as the Conference best. They also sit 7-1 and should be a lock for at least 10 wins given the strength (or lack thereof) in their division.

The Beast Remains Within
Marshawn Lynch continues to barge and hustle his way through defenses, putting up just under 1000 yards in his 8 outings for the Seahawks. His team may not be upto the standard that has seen them make back to back Superbowl's, but if Lynch keeps trucking, they wont be far off returning for a 3rd year.

Magical Manning!
Peyton Manning becomes only the 2nd man to throw for over 70000 yards in the NFL and with his last outing in the Broncos loss at his former team Indianapolis, he broke the record held by Brett Favre as his season total of 2360 takes him to 72051 and is just another nothc on a remarkable career.

Lowlights:

See You in 2016!
Well every team has a win now, infact the worst is 2 wins, but lets be honest the 2-7 Browns are dead in a North Division that has already got 2 teams on 6 wins.

In the NFC, it looks like the Cowboys may as well pack up at 2-6, whilst time is running out for Minnesota, Tampa Bay and St. Louis to do something to get them back in the race.

We Want Manziel!
Cleveland may be done at 2-7 but their fans still clamour for something to cheer for and the recent trend is to try and force the team to play Johnny Manziel again. Current QB Austin Davis is struggling with a league high 16 picks against his name, and with 30 sacks to top that off its clear he is finding things tough leading this poor team.

Whether the Browns experiment and give Manziel the rock is something for their staff to decide but if the Dawgpound have their way, its #ManzielTime

The Jets
At 4-4 their season is still alive, the AFC Wildcard race is wide open. Add to that the debut of Rookie Bryce Petty promising better things, you may wonder why the Jets round off this list?

Well unless Petty begins to put up record numbers, the Jets offense is way to weak to compete at the business end. 30th in the league in overall yards, 31st in passing yards, there is alot of work to be done and hope of this changing in the hands of a Rookie is best left for those harboring vivid imaginations.

Injury Report:

Player			Team	Len.	Injury
Antonio Cromartie	NYJ	2	Abdominal Tear
Mike Williams		DEN	12	Foot Stress Fracture
Josh Sitton		GB	3	Upper Arm Fracture
Charles Johnson		CAR	2	Broken Ribs
Brandon Williams	BAL	7	Fractured Elbow
Jairus Bird		NO	3	Shoulder Tear
Le'Veon Bell		PIT	5	Dislocated Ankle
Ben Roethlisberger	PIT	3	Broken Hand
Jermon Bushrod		CHI	7	Hamstring Tear
Chris Myers		ATL	2	Foot Stress Fracture
Mohamed Sanu		CIN	16	Hip Fracture
Stephon Gilmore		BUF	6	Fractured Elbow
Jerry Hughes		BUF	4	Hamstring Tear
Evan Mathis		DEN	39	Achilles Tear
Karlos Dansby		CLE	5	Torn Tricep
Alex Smith		KC	3	Shoulder Tear
Rob Gronkowski		NE	2	Fractured Elbow
Jerod Mayo		NE	31	Achilles Tear
Ryan Tannehill		MIA	5	Torn Bicep
Jimmy Smith		BAL	9	Foot Stress Fracture
Branden Albert		MIA	1	Upper Arm Fracture
Jason Peters		PHI	7	Torn Bicep
Jason Kelce		PHI	2	Broken Ribs
Adrian Peterson		MIN	9	Foot Stress Fracture

*Note this Injury Report is limited to players with an OVR of 80+

Transactions:

Re-Signings

Player			Team	Yrs	$
Bobby Wagner		SEA	7	$58M
Eric Weddle		SD	7	$67.5M
Sean Smith		KC	4	$35.1M
Philip Rivers		SD	3	$57.7M
Russell Wilson		SEA	6	$80.1M
Eli Manning		NYG	2	$38.8M
Dontari Poe		KC	6	$40.3M
Stephon Gilmore		BUF	6	$45.8M

*Note not all Free Agent signings are listed