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The Jets were more competitive this week, but still fell 27-13 to the AFC East-leading New England Patriots. Let's review three of the best and worst performances from Sunday's game.

Winners

QB Josh McCown

It was far from his best game as a Jet, but McCown passed for 276 yards and a touchdown in a steady performance that at least served the purpose of getting some of the Jets' offensive weapons involved and keeping New York in the game.

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The Jets dropped to 3-6 with a disappointing loss in Miami on Sunday. Let's evaluate three of the New York's best performers and three players who struggled.

Losers

QB Sam Darnold

While some of his struggles were in part attributable to the poor performance of his offensive line, Darnold had an erratic performance that saw him throw a career-worst four interceptions, one of which was returned for the game's only touchdown. He was also lucky not to be intercepted on a few more errant throws.

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The Jets lost by two touchdowns to the Chicago Bears on the road Sunday. Let's evaluate three of the New York's best performers and three players who struggled.

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In Sunday's 42-34 win over the Colts, Jets QB Sam Darnold put together his most complete performance as a pro, completing 24 of 30 passes for 280 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.

Let's look at some specific examples before we draw conclusions...

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In Sunday's win over the Broncos, the Jets controlled the game on the ground. As the running game racked up well over 300 yards, it opened up more things for Sam Darnold, and he was able to take advantage with a career-high three touchdown passes. Most importantly, the Jets won the game, putting a stop to a potential downward spiral that could have doomed their season.

Let's break down how Darnold performed...

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The Jets suffered a dispiriting 31-12 loss on the road in Jacksonville on Sunday afternoon. Let's break down how each unit performed...

Quarterbacks

Sam Darnold didn't throw an interception this week, although he had one negated by a penalty flag. He only completed 50 percent of his passes and was sacked three times as the Jets were shut out in the first half and didn't get into the end zone until the fourth quarter. Darnold missed on some deep balls, which could have made the game closer...

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The Jets blew a 14-0 lead and lost 21-17 to the Browns on Thursday night. Let's break down how each unit performed.

Quarterbacks

Rookie Sam Darnold had his worst game so far, although he was arguably somewhat hamstrung by an overly conservative game plan. He completed 15 of 31 passes for 169 yards and threw two interceptions.

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The Jets suffered a disheartening 20-12 defeat to the Dolphins in their home opener on Sunday afternoon. Let's break down how each unit performed.

Quarterbacks

While Sam Darnold passed for over 330 yards and a touchdown, the Jets missed several opportunities to get back into the game. There is cause for concern over Darnold's ability to see the field as he didn't anticipate a safety sitting on the route on his first interception and failed to see a couple of wide-open receivers that were open for potential big plays...

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Over the next few weeks, we're going to look back at last year's rookies in an effort to assess what their role will be in 2018 and where we can expect them to make improvements on what they brought to the table last year.

Elijah McGuire had what looked like being a breakout performance against the Jaguars in Week 4, when he racked up 131 yards on 12 touches, including a spectacular 69-yard touchdown run. However, that breakout never fully materialized as he struggled to produce much over the rest of the year, other than the occasional flash. Will he be able to earn a more significant role in 2018?

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Brian Winters remembers everything about the moment his 2017 season went off the rails. He remembers the time, the place, the play, and without question, the pain.

"It was second quarter in Oakland (in Week 2) with five minutes to go before half when we were driving in to the north end zone. I still remember it like it was yesterday," said the 26-year-old guard. "It was an outside zone play and (running back) Bilal (Powell) was trying to stretch it outside of me, so I went to continue to push my guy through. And as soon as I pushed through I felt like a pop."

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In 2017, the Jets outperformed most preseason projections, many of which considered them to be the league's worst team with some even suggesting they'd be historically bad on offense, and would struggle to win a game as a result.

Although the season ended with a whimper after Josh McCown's season ending hand injury in December, the Jets still won five games. Even so, they found themselves last in the AFC East for the second straight year.

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The Jets have too much business to attend to in the next seven weeks to get too deep into their draft plans just yet. They have about $90 million in salary cap space to spend in free agency first.

And what they buy with that will be a key factor in what they do with the sixth overall pick in the NFL draft.

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The Jets have too much business to attend to in the next seven weeks to get too deep into their draft plans just yet. They have about $90 million in salary cap space to spend in free agency first.

And what they buy with that will be a key factor in what they do with the sixth overall pick in the NFL draft.

The offensive line was a huge disappointment for the Jets in 2017, especially on the interior. In 2016, Wesley Johnson started eight games for the injured Nick Mangold, and the line didn't seem to suffer too badly. However, he struggled throughout the 2017 season after moving into the full-time starter role.

Guards Brian Winters and James Carpenter also failed to play as well as they had in 2016, although that may partly have been caused by Johnson struggling on their inside shoulder.   Injuries were also an issue here, with Winters in particular playing most of the season hurt, and eventually requiring surgery on an abdominal issue.

Dakota Dozier's performances in relief of Winters over the past few years have some people wondering if it was really wise to give Winters a big money extension, when Dozier doesn't appear to be much of a downgrade. However, he's out of contract now, so the Jets may need to replenish their depth.

Ralph Vacchiano | Facebook | Twitter | Archive: The Jets started over last offseason and actually built themselves a nice core of talent. They have many young, inexpensive players they can build around this spring.

They certainly have the tools to build around them - perhaps as much as $100 million in cap room, the sixth overall pick in the draft, and some extra picks too. And that's good, because even though the Jets exceeded expectations last season, they were still 5-11, and have plenty of holes to fill.

Now, as they get ready to begin Phase 2 of their rebuilding project, here's a look at their biggest needs.

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The Patriots predictably disposed of the Jets effortlessly in the season finale, winning 26-6. From the Jets' perspective, the game was fairly meaningless, and they used it to get another look at some of the players whose future roles with the team are uncertain.

Let's break down the offensive performance from Sunday's game...

Brian Winters was placed on injured reserve just before the Jets season finale on New Year's Eve against the Patriots and has a message for his fans.

Winters has soldiered on to play in 13 games this season after tearing his abdomen and abductor muscles in week two.

"It is with great disappointment that I finish out the 2017 season on IR," Winters wrote on Twitter. "During the second quarter of game two, I completely tore my abdomen and abductor muscles. I tried as best I could to get out there and kill it every game but my body just ain't allowing me to push it any further. I'm confident that with surgery and rehab I'll be back better than ever next season."

The Jets placed G Brian Winters on injured reserve with an abdominal injury, ending his season, the club confirmed Wednesday. DL Deon Simon was actiavated from the practice squad.

Winters was injured in the second game of the season against the Raiders and missed next week's game against the Dolphins. He played through the injury until he was scratched from New York's game against the Los Angeles Chargers last Sunday.

Winters, who also ended last season in IR, started 13 games at right guard for the Jets, who drafted him in the third round in 2013 out of Kent State.

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The Jets were competitive again, as they have been in every home game this year, but struggled to generate enough offense or any impact plays on defense. Meanwhile, the Chargers managed to keep their playoff hopes alive in a sloppy game that saw the teams combine for 18 punts. For New York, there's the sense that the conclusion of the season next week will predominantly be a relief to players and coaches alike for the Jets.

Let's break down the offensive performance from Sunday's game:

Quarterbacks

Bryce Petty was once again erratic and is doing little to convince anyone he has much of a future at this level. Statistically, he's been worse than he was last year, and the Jets' resolve to get him to throw downfield more often didn't manifest itself, as he averaged just four yards per attempt for the day and threw just one pass in the third quarter -- the only quarter in which the Jets scored any points.

The Jets ruled right guard Brian Winters out for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers and did not disclose whether defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson would play.

Winters has been dealing with an abdominal injury and did not practice on Thursday. Either Dakota Dozier or Brent Qvale will start in place of Winters, who has started in 13 games this season.

Wilkerson, who was benched for last week's game against the New Orleans Saints for showing up late to practice, returned to practice for the third straight day, however head coach Todd Bowles did not say whether or not Wilkerson would play.

The Jets (5-9) face the Chargers (7-7) on Sunday at MetLife Stadium. Here's what's going on Tuesday:

Need to know

The Jets practice today at Florham Park. SNY's Ralph Vacchiano will be attending practice this week. Follow @RVacchianoSNY on Twitter to keep up with all the latest Jets news and rumors.

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Despite being heavy underdogs, the Jets gave a solid account of themselves this week, exploiting some sloppy play from the Saints to make Sunday's game competitive deep into the fourth quarter. In the end, the Saints' offensive playmaking abilities were too much for the Jets to keep up with, but at least they quieted those critics who had been saying they'd get blown out again.

Let's start this week by breaking down the performances on the offensive side of the ball...

Jets DE Muhammad Wilkerson is out for Sunday's game against the game after he was benched for showing up late to the team facility Friday. 

Wilkerson will not travel with the team to New Orleans as it was a 'coaching decision,' according to head coach Todd Bowles. Wilkerson supposedly showed up to the facility "very late," a source told SNY's Ralph Vacchiano. This is the third straight year the 28-year-old has been benched for being late. 

This season, Wilkerson has been underperforming with only 3.5 sacks and 46 combined tackles. 

As he has done for the last month, RB Matt Forte (knee) was on the sidelines during the Jets' practice on Wednesday. 

LB Mo Claiborne (foot), RB Eli McGuire (ankle), DB Rontez Miles (hamstring), OL Brian Winters (abdomen/ankle) and DB Rashard Robinson (excused) joined Forte as inactives.

LB Bruce Carter (groin) and LS Tom Hennessy (concussion) were limited.

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Any lingering hopes of the Jets remaining in playoff contention were put to rest by a struggling Broncos team that was met with scant resistance in their 23-0 win. This continues a season-long pattern of futility on the road for this Jets team, which drops to 5-8 on the year and now seems destined to end up 5-11 for the season season in a row.

Let's start this week by breaking down the performances on the offensive side of the ball:

RB Matt Forte, G Brian Winters, and WR Robby Anderson are all active for the Jets on Sunday in their road matchup against the Denver Broncos. 

Anderson was questionable after being limited in practice due to a hamstring injury, while Forte has been hampered by a knee injury. Winters has dealt with an abdomen issue.

QB Christian Hackenberg, CB Derrick Jones, CB Jeremy Clark, OLB Freddie Bishop, LB Bruce Carter, OLB Ben Ijalana, and OL Jonotthan Harrison are inactive for the Jets.

Jets head coach Todd Bowles was ecstatic about how short his post-practice press conference was on Friday. 

Bowles, who is usually reserved, couldn't hold in his happiness after the press didn't have any more questions for him.

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Jets wide receiver Robby Anderson will play in Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos despite being limited at practice on Thursday due to a hamstring injury, head coach Todd Bowles told reporters on Friday.

The Jets listed running back Matt Forte (knee) and offensive guard Brian Winters (abdomen, ankle) as questionable, while linebacker Bruce Carter was ruled out due to a groin injury.

Jets RB Matt Forte (knee) was a limited participant at practice on Thursday after missing on Wednesday. 

Only three Jets were kept out of Wednesday's practice: RB Matt Forte (knee), LB Bruce Carter (groin) and S Terrence Brooks (excused absence).

Forte has not practice since injuring his knee on Nov. 2 against the Bills, although he's played in each of the Jets' last two games.

CB Juston Burris (concussion) and RG Brian Winters (abdomen, ankle) were limited participants.

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The Jets overcame a shaky start to break out of their slump with their finest offensive performance of the season so far against the Chiefs. A late touchdown by Josh McCown gave the Jets the lead and the defense held on to preserve a 38-31 shootout win.

Let's start this week by breaking down the performances on the offensive side of the ball...

CB Juston Burris (concussion) is out for Sunday's game against the Chiefs.

DT Xavier Cooper (knee), RB Matt Forte (knee), and G Brian Winters (abdomen, ankle) are all listed as questionable.

For the first time since Nov. 2, Forte (knee) was able to take part in Jets practices, albeit as a limited participant, on Thursday and Friday.

Losers in five of their last six games, the Jets host the Chiefs at MetLife Stadium at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

RB Matt Forte (knee), DB Juston Burris (concussion) and DL Xavier Cooper (knee) and DL Steve McLendon (neck/hip) were absent from Jets practice on Wednesday.

Forte has not practiced since injuring his knee against the Bills on Nov. 2. He returned to game action during the Jets' 35-27 loss to the Panthers on Sunday and rushed for 26 yards on 10 carries. 

G Brian Winters (abdomen/ankle), WR Jermaine Kearse (shoulder) and WR Robby Anderson (ankle) were limited.

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Once again, the Jets gave a tough opponent all they could handle, but they also gave them a few gifts which proved to be the difference in another disheartening home loss. The Jets have now lost five of their last six games, with all five losses being in one-possession games.

Let's start this week by breaking down the performances on the offensive side of the ball...

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FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - A week away from football did some good for the Jets, who will have a healthy cornerback Morris Claiborne on Sunday, and they might even get running back Matt Forte back, too.

Claiborne, who has been hampered by a foot injury, was a full participant in practice on Friday and wasn't even listed on the final injury report of the week. He had suffered the injury back on Oct. 29 against the Falcons and missed the next game against the Buffalo Bills on a short week. He did play in the Jets' 15-10 loss in Tampa two weeks ago, but he was clearly limited by his foot...

RB Matt Forte (knee), LT Kelvin Beachum (personal) and CB Rashard Robinson (illness) were the only Jets to not participate in Wednesday's practice. 

Forte was injured during the Jets' 34-21 win against the Bills on Nov. 2 and has not practiced since. 

CB Morris Claiborne (foot), DL Mo Wilkerson (foot), and G Brian Winters (abdomen) were limited participants.

Coming off their bye, the Jets return to action Sunday when they meet the Carolina Panthers at MetLife Stadium at 1 p.m.

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The Jets put together their most complete performance of the season in an impressive 34-21 win over the Bills on Thursday night, rushing for almost 200 yards and racking up seven sacks and three fumble recoveries in the process.

Let's start this week by breaking down the performances on the offensive side of the ball:

Quarterbacks

With the running game working, Josh McCown didn't need to throw much this week, but he was efficient when he did. He threw just seven passes after halftime, completing five. In the first half, while the game was still in the balance, McCown gave the Jets the lead with a touchdown scramble, completing a drive he'd kept alive himself with another third-down run.

RB Matt Forte (knee) and Ed Stinson (neck), will be out for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers in Tampa.

Forte rushed for a season-high 77 yards and two touchdowns in last Thursday's 34-21 win over the Bills.

DE Muhammad Wilkerson (shoulder, foot) C Jonotthan Harrison (hand), CB Morris Claiborne (foot) and G Brian Winters (abdomen) are all listed as questionable.

RB Matt Forte (knee), C Jonotthan Harrison (hand), DT Ed Stinson (neck), and DE Muhammad Wilkerson (shoulder, foot) all missed practice on Thursday.

"I don't know if it is serious or not serious," Jets head coach Todd Bowles said, "but anytime someone doesn't practice, it's serious for me."

Forte rushed for a season-high 77 yards and two touchdowns in last Thursday's 34-21 win over the Bills.

RB Matt Forte (knee) and DL Muhammad Wilkerson (shoulder/foot) were two of of the five Jets who did not take part in Wednesday's practice. DB Morris Claiborne (foot), DL Ed Stinson (neck) and OL Brian Winters (abdomen) were also absent.

Forte rushed for a season-high 77 yards and two touchdowns in last Thursday's 34-21 win over the Bills.

QB Christian Hackenberg (finger) and RB Lawrence Thomas (concussion) practiced on a limited basis.

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The Jets put together their most complete performance of the season in an impressive 34-21 win over the Bills on Thursday night, rushing for almost 200 yards and racking up seven sacks and three fumble recoveries in the process.

Let's start this week by breaking down the performances on the offensive side of the ball:

Quarterbacks

With the running game working, Josh McCown didn't need to throw much this week, but he was efficient when he did. He threw just seven passes after halftime, completing five. In the first half, while the game was still in the balance, McCown gave the Jets the lead with a touchdown scramble, completing a drive he'd kept alive himself with another third-down run.

Bent, theJetsBlog.com Follow on Twitter: The Jets lost their third game in a row and were once again left to regret several costly mistakes which could have turned the game in their favor. With a short turnaround before the next game, the coaching staff has a challenging week ahead. Let's start this week by breaking down the performances on the offensive side of the ball:

Quarterbacks

In difficult conditions, this was another solid performance by Josh McCown, who threw two touchdowns and completed a high percentage of his passes. However, his limitations - or perhaps those of the offensive personnel surrounding him - were exposed on that last drive, as the Jets needed to go 97 yards in 67 seconds, and it took them seven plays and all of that time to barely get one-third of the way there.

Bent, theJetsBlog.com Follow on Twitter: The Jets once again gave a good account of themselves in this game, but they had too many defensive penalties and the offense dried up in the fourth quarter, enabling Miami's come-from-behind win. Despite knocking Jay Cutler out of the game, the Jets were unable to protect a 28-14 lead, the first time since 1999 they've had a two score lead in the fourth quarter and not won. We'll start today by reviewing the offensive performance...

Quarterbacks

The late interception by Josh McCown ending up costing the Jets the win, as it set up the Dolphins' game-winning field goal. The wisdom of attempting to advance the ball from close to their own goal line rather than just taking their chances in overtime can be questioned. But this was McCown's fault, as his misread the coverage under pressure. His receiver had some separation on the outside, but the slot cornerback had dropped off and stayed at home rather than tracking the slot receiver down the field as was perhaps anticipated.

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While much of the attention from the Jets' loss to the Patriots will be focused on the controversial overturned touchdown in the fourth quarter, the Jets only have themselves to blame for giving up 24 unanswered points and letting New England back into the game.

Nevertheless, they gave a good account of themselves and, despite some glaring weaknesses, continued to prove that they're a more talented group than most people gave them credit for before the season...

Bent, theJetsBlog.com Follow on Twitter: The Jets won their third consecutive game on Sunday, but this was a performance that was very rough around the edges. The Browns gained almost twice as many yards as the Jets (419 to 212) but kept shooting themselves in the foot whenever they had a chance to score.

In the second half, the Jets converted in the red zone to take the lead after a Browns turnover, before putting together a 97-yard drive for what would prove to be the clinching score.

Let's start this week by focusing on the offense:

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The Jets continued to confound their critics on Sunday, eventually pulling out a win over the Jaguars in overtime after having blown a 10-point fourth quarter lead. Big plays in the running game and effective pass coverage sparked the win, which was finished off by Chandler Catanzaro's game-winning field goal in the last minute of overtime.

Let's start this week by focusing on the offense...

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Let's break down the performances on the offensive side of the ball from the Jets' 20-6 win over the Dolphins in Week 3:

G Brian Winters and TE Eric Tomlinson (knee) are out for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, the Jets announced Friday.

Either Dakota Dozier or Brent Qvale will start at RG for Winters, Jets head coach Todd Bowles told reporters.

TE Jordan Leggett (knee) and S Rontez Miles (eye) are doubtful.

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The Jets surprisingly hung around for the best part of three quarters, but eventually the game slipped away from them and the Raiders came away with the anticipated blowout win. Aside from a couple of ill-timed turnovers, the run defense was the biggest issue in yesterday's game.

However, we're going to break down the performances on the offensive side of the ball first...