EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- A few thoughts on the New York Jets' 17-16 loss to the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium:
What it means: Rex Ryan deserved better. In perhaps his final home game as the Jets' coach, Ryan's defense played a terrific game, but he was undermined by his inept offense, a couple of mistakes on special teams and his questionable use of timeouts. The Jets dropped to 3-12, their first 12-loss season since 2007. This was so typical of the Jets-Patriots rivalry -- good, but not good enough for the Jets. They lost both meetings this season by a combined three points. And now we wait for the wrecking ball, as owner Woody Johnson prepares to change coaches and probably his general manager.
Stock watch: The Jets' defense -- UP. Say what you want about Ryan, but the man can coach a defense with the best of them. Playing with a group of second-rate cornerbacks, Ryan kept Tom Brady (23-for-35, 182 yards) off balance for most of the game, holding the Patriots to 231 total yards. Ryan's defensive acumen is the main reason the Jets have been competitive with the Patriots over the years.
After a week of buttering up Brady with effusive praise, the Jets attacked him with perhaps their best pass rush of the season. Bolstered by the return of Muhammad Wilkerson, the Jets recorded four sacks, with seven players contributing. Sheldon Richardson, backing up his bold statements from last week, was particularly active. Ryan took some chances, blitzing more than usual. For a change, he trusted his cornerbacks -- and they didn't let him down. Marcus Williams recorded his first career interception. You can't blame the defense for the Patriots' first two touchdowns -- the scoring drives were 36 and 38 yards.
The Geno coaster: Geno Smith (17-for-27, 210 yards) played well for stretches in the game, but he made a couple of bad decisions that proved costly in the second half -- an interception and a third-down sack that took the Jets out of range for a potential go-ahead field goal. Clearly, Smith has played better since returning from his demotion, but not well enough to remain the undisputed starter for 2015. The Jets need help at the position -- a proven veteran -- but they at least know they still have a developing player in Smith, who had a 20-yard touchdown pass to Jeff Cumberland.
Crushing injury: Center Nick Mangold was carted off in the second quarter with a potentially serious ankle injury; he didn't return. There isn't a more respected player on the Jets than Mangold, which explains the reaction by his teammates. Every player came off the bench to wish him well before he was taken to the locker room. Longtime nemesis Vince Wilfork was blocked into Mangold's lower-left leg. That he stayed down was alarming because he always gets up. Wide receiver Percy Harvin (ribs) didn't play the second half.
Game ball: Linebacker David Harris. In perhaps his final home game with the Jets, the free-agent-to-be recorded his 1,000th career tackle. He led the team with tackles (10), including a half-sack.
What's ahead: For the second year in a row, the Jets will close the season on the road against the Miami Dolphins (8-7). This time, there won't be a postgame locker room celebration for Ryan's return.
