Week 4 Game Recap: New York Jets 3, Baltimore Ravens 13

What you need to know

New York Jets

Brooks Bollinger made his first career NFL start but was unable to make the throws when needed. He got flustered easily and dropped the ball down to run before he needed to on a few occasions. He displayed awful accuracy towards receivers near the sidelines, but was able to connect with targets in the middle of the field. He displayed the quickness that was his trademark in college, but the Ravens were ready and did not allow him to gain any yards. Despite his struggles, Herman Edwards left the young signal-caller in the game for its entirety, leaving Vinny Testaverde watching on the bench.

Curtis Martin was unable to find much running room, averaging only 2.3 yards per carry and going down easily. The Ravens were able to stuff eight and nine men in the box because of Bollinger’s ineffectiveness. After a fumble return gave them first and goal at the one yard line, the Jets ran the ball three times but were unable to score.

Laveranues Coles caught only one pass in the entire game, and even that catch came late in the game with the outcome already decided. Bollinger couldn’t find Coles near the sidelines where he was deployed most of the day, instead looking over the middle for the options present there. Justin McCareins had a decent day statistically, but he dropped a couple easy passes, one that appeared to be a possible touchdown.

The Jets’ defense nearly made up for its’ offense with two huge plays. The first took place on the Ravens’ first offensive play, when John Abraham came up behind Anthony Wright and knocked the ball loose, eventually returning it for a touchdown that was negated because of a penalty. Early in the third quarter, Jamal Lewis fumbled the ball and Victor Hobson recovered it, returning it to the one yard line before being forced out of bounds by Todd Heap. The defense held the Ravens’ running game to 2.5 yards per carry but weakened as the game went on, as they were on the field for 38 minutes.

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens went with a conservative game plan, relying heavily on the run all game long. Between Jamal Lewis (29 carries) and Chester Taylor (11 carries), the Ravens carried the ball 40 times. Jamal Lewis had an up-and-down game, scoring his first touchdown of the year on a one yard plunge but also nearly giving one up with his third quarter fumble. Chester Taylor worked well as his backup and also providing good speed out of the backfield. Alan Ricard played in his first game of the season after hurting his calf during training camp, but was not on the field much.

Anthony Wright’s numbers weren’t too impressive, but he performed efficiently and within his limits. Todd Heap was once again an integral part of the passing attack, and was targeted on third downs especially. Derrick Mason once again proved to be a reliable outlet for Wright and was able to elude tacklers to create yards after the catch. Mark Clayton started his first game of the season, making official his surpassing of Clarence Moore on the depth chart.

The Ravens defense performed effectively but, given the circumstances, didn’t have to do much. Samari Rolle and Chris McAlister helped to shut down the Jets’ passing game. Peter Boulware had his first sack in nearly two years when he got to Bollinger on a third down play, forcing a punt. The defense was unable to force a turnover, but nearly had one on an easy interception that was uncharacteristically dropped by Deion Sanders.

What you ought to know

QB Brooks Bollinger, Pass: 14 - 28 - 149 - 0 TD / 0 INT

Bollinger showed little to many folks think he’s an NFL caliber quarterback. Herman Edwards was very cautious with his quarterback; avoiding the pass unless is was absolutely necessary. Bollinger was nervous in the pocket, dropping the ball to run when nobody was covered well before he had to. He did not run effectively though, running into a web of defenders on a number of occasions. He didn’t even attempt to dive into the end zone on a bootleg run from the one yard line, instead going out of bounds at the two yard line without getting touched. Bollinger didn’t have the arm strength to throw to the sidelines, often overthrowing his intended target by eight feet or more. He found most of his success throwing across the middle, but was unable to do this consistently at any point. He did avoid any giant mistakes all afternoon though.

RB Curtis Martin, Rush: 13 - 30 - 0, Rec: 3 - 15 - 0 (3 targets)

Martin was meant to be the focal point of the offense but was unable to do much against a Ravens’ defense that was cheating heavily towards the run, averaging only 2.3 yards per rush. After an interception return gave the Jets the ball on the one yard line, Martin had two chances to pound it in but was unable to gain a single yard. Martin got dinged up in the second quarter after a defender leg-whipped him directly on his right knee. He missed the rest of that offensive series before returning. With eight men in the box all day and nine on occasion, Martin was struggling for one and two yard gains on most of his runs.

RB Derrick Blaylock, Rush: 2 - -2 - 0, Rec: 1 - 10 - 0 (1 targets)

Blaylock entered the game for Curtis Martin after his minor injury and was blown up in the backfield on both of his runs. His lone reception on the day was a meaningless dump off of the Jets’ last offensive play that fell ten yards short of converting a first down.

RB Jerald Sowell, Rec: 1 - 5 - 0 (3 targets)

Sowell was the target of a few passes over the middle, but was well covered by Ravens' linebackers.

WR Justin McCareins, Rec: 3 - 59 - 0 (7 targets)

McCareins was the most successful receiver on the day, mainly because his routes went across the middle. He dropped two easy passes that would have extended drives, one which he actually had a chance to break for a big gain. Like every other Jets receiver, when McCareins ran a route near the sidelines Bollinger was unable to accurately pass to him.

WR Laveranues Coles, Rec: 1 - 16 - 0 (7 targets)

Coles found the going rough as his quarterback struggled to get the ball down the field. He was targeted near the sidelines a number of times, only to have the ball sail over his head. His only catch came on the Jets’ final drive with the loss all but assured.

WR Jerricho Cotchery (2 targets)

Cotchery was mainly used as a kick returner on the day, but late in the game with his team in dire straits, he came in and was targeted twice on incomplete passes. He probably knew more about Bollinger, as the two are used to working together in practice, but he was unable to use this to his advantage.

WR Wayne Chrebet (1 targets)

Chrebet was the target of only one pass that fell incomplete. He saw less playing time than usual, as the Jets tried to keep extra blockers in to protect their young signal-caller.

TE Chris Baker, Rec: 3 - 29 - 0 (3 targets)

Baker wasn’t targeted until late in the game, on the Jets’ second to last drive. His compatriot Doug Jolley was the target of passes earlier in the game, but whether that means anything as to their depth chart standing is dubious. He caught all three passes thrown at him and was the second-leading receiver on the day.

TE Doug Jolley, Rec: 2 - 15 - 0 (3 targets)

Jolley played more than teammate Chris Baker, but was unable to use that to his advantage. He stayed in to block more than he released in pass routes.

PK Mike Nugent 1 - 1 FG, 0 - 0 XP, 3 points

Nugent was perfect on the day, making his only field goal attempt of 21 yards. He had no extra point attempts.

NYJ Rush Defense

The front seven held up well throughout the day, but the sheer volume of rushes made it impossible for the Jets to hold the Ravens under 100 yards rushing. The Ravens ran the ball 40 times with their backs, pounding the ball down after down to drain the clock. The Jets were able to hold the Ravens to 2.6 yards per rush, very good under normal circumstances. Victor Hobson forced a Jamal Lewis fumble early in the third quarter and nearly returned it for a touchdown, but was forced out of bounds by Todd Heap at the one yard line. John Abraham also came close to scoring points in the first quarter, forcing an Anthony Wright fumble and returning it for a score, only to have the play nullified by penalty. Jonathan Vilma led the team with 11 tackles and five assists.

NYJ Pass Defense

The secondary wasn’t challenged much as the Ravens ran the ball most of the game. It limited the deep pass, but was vulnerable to short hitches by Derrick Mason or underneath routes by Chester Taylor and Todd Heap. Mark Clayton was covered well by David Barrett, and Derrick Mason didn’t embarrass Ty Law. They were also able to come up with a turnover when Erik Coleman intercepted a deep pass from Wright in the end zone, but the offense was unable to take advantage. Rookie Kerry Rhodes led the secondary with seven tackles and one assist.

QB Anthony Wright, Pass: 15 - 21 - 144 - 0 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 5 - 2 - 0

Wright managed the game well and made smart throws most of the afternoon. His favorite target was once again Derrick Mason, who was only targeted six times as the Ravens focused on running the ball. He had a scary moment on the first offensive play of the game, fumbling off a hit by John Abraham. The fumble was recovered by the Jets and returned for a touchdown, but fortunately for Wright a defender was offsides and the play was negated. For most of the game, though, Wright was able to evade the pass rush and displayed impressive mobility within the pocket. As the running game began to produce, the play action pass opened up for Wright, and he was able to hit his receivers deep. Wright’s lone interception occurred on a deep bomb intended for Clarence Moore. It was an ill advised pass as Moore was double covered, but it was not costly.

RB Jamal Lewis, Rush: 29 - 81 - 1

Lewis showed improvement coming off his bye week but still appeared to be far from the player he was earlier in his career. His yards per carry were still uncharacteristically low, at only 2.8. He received a heavy workload with 29 carries, as the Ravens ran the ball 40 times with their backs. Early in the third quarter he failed to secure a handoff from Anthony Wright and the ball popped loose upon first contact. The fumble was recovered by the Jets and nearly returned for a touchdown. Lewis would atone for his mistake though, plowing forward for a one yard touchdown late in the same quarter, his first of the season. On clear passing downs, Lewis was removed from the game for the speedier Chester Taylor.

RB Chester Taylor, Rush: 11 - 32 - 0, Rec: 2 - 24 - 0 (2 targets)

Taylor received 11 carries as the change of pace to Jamal Lewis. He displayed his usual shiftiness and was able to evade linebackers after catching the ball out of the backfield.

RB Alan Ricard, Rec: 1 - 11 - 0 (1 targets)

Ricard returned to the lineup after missing the first two games with a calf injury. He served as the lead blocker for Jamal Lewis early in the game, but was spelled late by Ovie Mughelli. He caught his first pass of the season but was not used as a receiver much.

RB Ovie Mughelli, Rec: 1 - 2 - 0 (1 targets)

Mughelli spelled Alan Ricard on short yardage downs, and also caught a pass late in the game. He didn’t see much playing time.

WR Derrick Mason, Rec: 5 - 54 - 0 (6 targets)

Mason was once again the favored target for Anthony Wright, who targeted him six times, completing five of them. As the running game began to have success, Mason was single covered down the field and was utilized well in play-action. He was covered primarily by Ty Law on the day, and was able to use his speed and agility to beat Ty Law on a 32 yard catch, 20 of which came after he caught the ball.

WR Mark Clayton, Rec: 1 - 4 - 0 (4 targets)

Clayton saw his first start of the season after proving to be far more effective than counterpart Clarence Moore in the first two games. Clayton wasn’t able to do much though, catching only one of his four targets for a measly four yards. He was covered by David Barrett most of the day.

WR Clarence Moore (2 targets)

Moore failed to catch a pass despite being targeted twice. He was the target of a deep pass from Anthony Wright that was intercepted in the end zone by Erik Coleman.

TE Todd Heap, Rec: 4 - 39 - 0 (4 targets)

Heap caught every pass thrown at him. He was able to run routes across the middle and found openings, and also was able to occupy the attention of Jets’ safeties to help his teammates. Heap also may have made a game saving tackle on Victor Hobson who, after recovering a Jamal Lewis fumble, almost returned it for a score only to be knocked out of bounds by Heap.

TE Daniel Wilcox, Rec: 1 - 10 - 0 (1 targets)

Wilcox came into the game late and was used primarily as a second tight end to block. He caught the only pass thrown at him, but with the health of Todd Heap no longer in question he did not receive much playing time.

PK Matt Stover 2 - 2 FG, 1 - 1 XP, 7 points

Stover was perfect on the day, converting both of his field goal attempts (25 and 42 yards) and his sole extra point attempt.

BAL Rush Defense

The Ravens knew the run was coming, and they stuffed eight and sometimes even nine men in the box to stop it. Curtis Martin was held to 2.3 yards per carry and was completely stuffed on two goal line attempts from the one. Anthony Weaver was carted off the field with a leg injury after that goal line stand. Peter Boulware made his return to the team felt with a sack late in the game that forced the Jets to punt. Ray Lewis led the team with seven tackles and two assists, also tacking on a sack.

BAL Pass Defense

The secondary wasn’t challenged deep by Brooks Bollinger, and this made their job easy. The only receivers they had to account for were those over the middle less than 20 yards from the line of scrimmage, as Bollinger could not accurately throw passes towards the sideline or down the field. They effectively veered these options through the first three quarters, only letting up in the fourth quarter when they played prevent defense. Deion Sanders had an opportunity to intercept a pass and return it for a touchdown, but he was unable to secure the football. Ed Reed led the secondary with four tackles.