With Madden 22 right around the corner, it is time for your Madness commissioners to reveal who will take over who and begin the chase for the virtual Lombardi Trophy. Throughout the years, we would use Daddyleagues to reveal the teams. We slowly release full divisions throughout the weeks up to the release of Madden, but this year, we will be doing something different. Something we feel could be special and more interactive.
While we will maintain the use of Daddyleagues to post blogs and keep track of stats, games, etc. We will be utilizing another media asset to announce the teams.
So, on Saturday, August 21st, 2021 at 8:00PM Est, join commissioners JC and Faded (with potential appearances from Ryan and Nate) on a livestream over at Twitch as we discuss the teams and their new owners and breakdown each team/user! The link to Fadeds Twitch stream will be: https://www.twitch.tv/faded_gaming_570
We want as many of you to join and chat it up! Lets make this exciting and lets have fun with it!
Madden Madness in Madden 22 does not have a start date yet, but we will be waiting for the first big patch as EA has shown in the past, the consequences of starting early and this allows everyone to have time to get the game and an Xbox Series X/S.
Some basic rules we will mention, as we do every year, Free Agency will be off-limits and done in a draft-style concept. Starting from the lowest overall team to the highest overall team. If you cannot make your pick, you can reserve your player so that the next user can pick. Preseason will be played (if you choose) to allow everyone time to get into the league as well as testing your new team and like real NFL teams do, to help determine your cuts.
We look forward to seeing many of you on Saturday!
In the final AFC reveal, we have a new look AFC East as Tom Brady is no longer a New England Patriot, the Dolphins may finally have their franchise Quarterback, the Bills acquired a top ten Wide Receiver to help their young QB and the Jets have traded Pro-Bowl Safety, Jamal Adams for two first round picks.
Patriots - KTex
KTex is one of the better players in the league, making a return from retiring, he has a challenge in front of him to fix this Patriots team. With the Tom Brady-era ending, the Patriots look to second year QB Jarrett Stidham and free agent pick up, Cam Newton to revitalize that offense. Expect Cam to be the week 1 start. It doesn't stop there though as the Pats have no real threats in the offensive side of the ball. The defense should be fine as usually KTex's strong suit is defense. The Patriots secondary is going to be tough to deal with and in this division that I believe to be very competitive, having a good secondary is going to be crucial. Despite being a very good player, it will be hard to say if KTex can win this division in season 1. I expect this to be one of the hardest divisions.
Bills - Jack K
He has risen! Jack is back from retirement and has chosen the Buffalo Bills. One of the toughest players to beat when he was the Chargers. Josh Allen is the type of QB he likes to use, between a strong arm and being mobile. Along with a solid receiving core consisting of newly acquired Stefon Diggs, expect Jack to sling it. The Bills also do have a lot of great players on the defensive side of the ball like Cornerback Tre White. This is a unit that is set up to compete and is ready to take that next step and win the division. It won't be easy but he may be the best bet to win it in season 1.
Dolphins - Javious
Mr. RPO has found himself in a perfect scenario. A young, mobile Quarterback, solid Runningbacks and an ok WR core outside of stand-out DeVante Parker. He will need to develop his #2 and #3 options at WR and with his obsession with RPOs, I fully expect speedster Jakeem Grant to play a pivotal role on this offense. Jay has always been a very good user. Later into M20 though, he became too predictable and unfortunately for him, if you were able to stop his RPOs and crossing routes, you would most likely have the win. If he learns to change up his game, he could really give fits to both KTex and Jack. Back onto the topic about defense, the Dolphins are another team with a great secondary. Signing CB Byron Jones to play along side stud CB Xavien Howard, they are going to be a pain in the ass to throw against. The front seven could use some work but they do have fast Linebackers and players who can contribute. This is basically your AFC East. Three users who have proven to be a challenge for many.
Jets - Xavier
and then there is Xavier. He joined in the reboot as the Dolphins and was very competitive within a weak division. He did have some big wins against two top users as well. Outside of that though, expectations are going to be very low. Taking over a young team, I can't see him keeping up with the other three users. Not until he makes his first draft. The Jets sit with two 1st round picks in each of the first two seasons. If Xavier wants to compete, he needs to hit on those early picks and develop this team well. A team that is in desperate need of a pass rusher and at least two Cornerbacks. In Madden, this is easily the weakest defense in the division and I hope he is prepared for the other three users to take advantage of that.
Your Madden Madness 21 AFC North reveal!
Steelers - Cryptic
One of the sweatiest in the league. Notorious for playing in approximately 12-15 leagues this year (but whose really counting), he has a very scary addiction to Madden. According to him, next Madden, he won't "try" as hard. We'll believe it when we see it but anyway, the Steelers, in one of the weirdest decisions, he chose the disgusting black and gold curtain. Cryptic was close to being the Seahawks until he decided he no longer wanted that team. It's clear, this is his division to lose and he is instantly a Superbowl contender. His reasoning for choosing this horrid team is because of their solid defense and young wide receivers. He is a win-now user so Big Rapist Ben will most likely be his starter for the first two seasons (barring retirement). I'm sure he has notes of how the M20 Reboot Steelers user ran this team *insert peeping eyes emoji*.
Bengals - Brendon Harrington
HOUSE OF JOE BURROW. Brendon is a tough one to schedule with but he can be a competitive player when he has the right pieces on his team. Brendon loves his running backs and Joe Mixon will be a perfect fit for what he likes to do. The offense has a lot of solid pieces that can work well if he develops them well on top of still having A.J. Green at wideout. The defense is kind of an unknown. Some decent names but not much else. They were a below average defense so it's gonna need some work. Being second in this division is very doable and that seems like it might just be the goal.
Browns - Gigi
Gigi has had it rough during his time here so far. As the Panthers in the pre-reboot, he had some of the worst luck because of Madden screwing him on many plays. In the reboot, he took over the stacked Seahawks team but even in the mediocre division, he still hasn't been able to do much. One thing that has been consistent with Gigi's teams is that they all have mobile quarterbacks. Madden 21 will be no different as he now has Baker Mayfield as his starter. The Browns are always a top choice in Madden as their team usually has many studs but just horrible coaching staffs that end up with bad records. Browns are a team with a lot of cap space and a top 10 defense. Gigi will have a lot of wiggle room to adjust this team to his liking but it'll take more than a nice roster for him to compete for second in the division.
Ravens - JC
I have to say I was very shocked with this selection when I first heard it. Since I’ve joined through two leagues and two reboots, JC has always taken a mediocre or bad team and rebuilds them in his image. This time he’s taking a top 3 roster and god only knows what he’s going to do with it. I foresee a complete tear down and rebuilding of this godly Baltimore squad so JC can make it fit to him more. Going into season 1, he’ll have Lamar Jackson the MVP, a young fast defense and a not so difficult division to work with. At his best, JC is a top 15 user, who is very good especially on the defensive side of the ball. I am very intrigued to see what he does with this team and to see if he can compete for division titles and Super Bowls.
Introducing your Madden Madness 21 AFC South! Don't worry Mr. LumberSnack, you're not in here.
Jaguars - Wesley
Wesley is one of the top users in this league and has been for some time. You may as well call him Mr. AFC South as he has been the Jaguars for possibly his entire time in this league and made that team relevent. I wouldn't understand why he would want them yet again especially after losing a lot of pieces but if there's anyone who can make this team competitive, it's Wesley. Get ready for MinshewMania!
Texans - Mr. Everyday
*in Thanos voice* I don't even know who you are. You have a solid roster so if you play well, you may succeed here. Goodluck.
Colts - Trevion Webb
Trevion took over the Texans in the M20 reboot and played very well especially once he found a solid piece to put in the backfield with Deshaun Watson creating a deadly combo. This year, it's going to be different with Phillip Rivers at QB. The Colts did draft some solid offensive weapons, to pair with an already good offensive line. He may be the most competition for Wesley in this division but it's still a team that needs help. Hopefully he also has a long-term plan for Quarterback.
Titans - Adam Hassan
I don't know anything about this guy either but enjoy Derrick Henry and Ryan Tannebum.
It's time to start revealing teams for Madden 21! so here is your AFC West division:
Chiefs - CP
CP is becoming a staple user for Madden Madness as he will be going on his 3rd Madden with us and his second Madden in a row as the Chiefs. CP may have found his team as he has typically been ranked in the 15-20 range amongst the players but this past year and including the reboot, he has shown improvements. Going into what looks like it could be a very competitive AFC West, this can be a big opportunity for him to develop especially with Pat Mahomes and Tyreek Hill at the helm.. but can he get past one of the newest users who seems to have history of striking fear in his opponents, Baliwag?
Raiders - Brownies McGee
Brownies McGee or Falcocks Jr or just Javon gets his number 1 choice in the Oakland Las Vegas Raiders, A solid user pre-reboot as the Falcons. As for the reboot, it's a completely different story as he took over the Browns and failed to do anything with them. He's a very good offensive mind who struggled heavily on defense. It'll be interesting to see what he does at Quarterback with this team. It won't be a secret that rookie Henry Ruggs will be his go-to WR. Lets also hope he doesn't get suspended for more cap breaks.
Broncos - Baliwag
I don't know much about Bali but he joined us in the reboot for M20 and many users who knew of him prior were very open about how good of user he is. Taking over the Cowboys for the reboot, it's clear, he likes a team with offensive weapons and that shall continue into M21 as he takes the new look offense of the Denver Broncos. Young QB in Drew Lock paired with established WR Cortland Sutton and rookie acquisitions, WR Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler. It'll be a fun offense to use for sure. Hearing a lot about how defense has been nerfed big time in M21 along with the potential of this offense, Bali could very well be a top 5 user this upcoming year. Good luck AFC West.
Chargers - Nate Sanford
Oof. Poor Nate. A user who struggled in the reboot despite a fairly easy division. It's going to be tough for him to win this division in M21. May very well be unlikely he ever does. He will need to rely on a very stacked Chargers defense but unfortunately, his offense won't win him any games. Rookie QB Justin Herbert may not develop into a franchise QB here but then again, never say "never". The Chargers offense is a decent squad, so Nate needs to stop turning the ball over and hopefully things can look up for him but don't expect to see much out of him in season 1.
This was a very strange year for Madden. With the introduction of "Superstar and XFactor Abilities", it seemed like many users were turned away early on as it proved to be game-breaking and turned Madden into an arcade-style game. Along with an issue early on due to an update for Madden that caused our league to brick itself for about two weeks, it became difficult to recover. Teams became revolving doors while the commissioners tried very hard to bring in new members week after week. Something that became tiresome after the resurgence in Season 5.
What Happens Next..
After finishing only 6 seasons, it was decided that the best thing to do is something Madden Madness has never done.. reboot to carry us over into the next Madden. We won't just be rebooting with stock rosters though, and not just with post free agency rosters but with post draft rosters. Having Joe Burrow as the potential QB of the Cincinnati Bengals. Or a Tyreek Hill clone in Henry Ruggs III potentially on the Jets, Raiders or even 49ers. A new user linebacker in Isaiah Simmons in the Blue and White of New York or down in the Carolinas Blue and Black. The possibilities are endless come Draft night. Surprises and shocking picks or trades always happen. So as this season in Madness comes to a close, watch the NFL Draft closely to determine which teams you want in the reboot. The commissioners will be spending time looking through custom rosters to find the best one to use after the draft concludes.
Team Selection Process:
Team selection will be based off seniority/activeness. You are given the option to keep your current team which automatically becomes "first dibs" (ex. current Bucs user wants to keep Bucs in the reboot, they are granted that). Keep in mind, these teams will NOT be your team in Madden 21. The team selection process for Madden 21 will be done closer to the release of the game. For now, you will send in your Top 5 team choices in order to Commish Ryan (Bears). If you are retired, you will get last selection. You still send in your top 5 teams but chances of getting your #1 team are much lower. Staying active through the reboot also grants you a spot in our league in Madden 21.
Goodluck to those in the final playoffs on stock Madness and hopefully this reboot brings in a lot of new faces, along with those who joined late and we can keep everyone around for the long run!
Week 2 Recap:
Indianapolis Colts at New York Jets
Final Score: 14-45 (W)
Following an injury to QB Josh Dobbs, there were a lot of question marks on how this offense will perform going into week 2. The defense is a top unit that may need to work harder as they take on star QB Andrew Luck.
Offense:
QB R. Tannehill - 8/14, 57%, 140 Yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
HB S. Reese - 18 Carries, 178 Yards, 3 TDs
WR L. Anderson - 4 Receptions, 47 Yards, 1 Carry, 5 Yards
TE C. Price - 4 Receptions, 93 Yards, 1 TD
New starter Ryan Tannehill got his first start replacing an injured Dobbs. His performance is what you would expect. Nothing tremendous but played well enough to keep his offense going. Tannehill connected with TE C.J. Price early on for a 48 yard touchdown. The rookie finally got going and held onto the ball which was the biggest concern last week. Shawn Reese bounced back from a down season opener breaking free on multiple occasions. His ability to get into the open field is so incredible.
Defense:
MLB D. Lee - 6 Tackles, 1 TFL, 1 INT
SS J. Adams - 5 Tackles, 1 INT, 2 P. Def
ROLB D. Doucet - 4 Tackles, 1 Sack
CB J. Agnew - 4 Tackles, 1 TFL, 1 INT, 1 TD
CB D. Owens - 1 Tackle, 1 Sack, 1 INT, 1 TD
The defense was all over the field, picking off Andrew Luck 6 times. Including two pick 6's. They held him to only 177 yards through the air. The Colts rushing attack only picked up 49 yards on the ground. To no surprise as the Jets are one of the best groups at stopping the run. Backup CB Dion Owens saw more playing time as CB Jalen Collins was injured and could not return for the remainder of the game. Owens, was has been in the rumors of trade talks, certainly made the most of his time as he picked up a sack and a 101 yard pick 6.
Special Teams:
K G. McGoat - 1/1 Field Goals, 100%, 6/6 Extra Points
P K. Brindza - 1 Punt, 42 Yards, 42.0 AVG
WR B. Armstrong - 3 Kick Returns, 84 Yards, 28.0 AVG
Jets Player of the Game: HB Shawn Reese
Week 1 Recap:
New York Jets at Jacksonville Jaguars
Final Score: 31-6 (W)
The 2021 season is underway and what better way to start than having two AFC juggernauts go head to head.
Offense:
QB J. Dobbs - 5/16, 31%, 186 Yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, 1 Carry, 32 Yards
HB S. Reese - 11 Carries, 67 Yards, 1 TD
WR L. Anderson - 3 Receptions, 152 Yards, 2 TDs
WR R. Bond - 1 Reception, 32 Yards
TE C. Price (R) - 1 Reception, 21 Yards
The offense struggled to move the ball. Josh Dobbs seemed to be rusty after the off season as he was erratic with his throws. Missing wide open receivers and showing poor accuracy. The offensive line also struggling in run blocking as the reigning MVP could not find much running room. Rookie Tight End C.J. Price had one of the most disappointing debuts I have ever witnessed. The rook dropped multiple passes throughout the day, including a touchdown pass and a big third down conversion. These guys need to get back on track and fast as this years schedule is one of the toughest they will face.
Defense:
FS N. Armstead - 8 Tackles, 2 TFL
MLB D. Lee - 7 Tackles, 1 TFL, 0.5 Sack, 1 P. Def
MLB S. Wilds - 5 Tackles, 0.5 Sack, 1 P. Def
ROLB D. Doucet - 7 Tackles, 3 Sacks
LOLB J. Whitehead - 6 Tackles, 1 TFL, 3 Sacks, 1 FF
DT C. Hall (R) - 3 Tackles, 1.5 Sacks
CB J. Collins - 5 Tackles, 1 P. Def
CB J. Agnew - 1 Tackle, 1 INT
CB D. Owens - 2 Tackles, 1 Blocked Kick
Our pass rush was on fire as usual. Tallying a total of 10 sacks. QB Henry Kubiak tried his best to escape the pocket and hike and haul as often as he could but kept getting chased down for the sack. Despite his poor attempts to extend plays, he was on point through the air as he threw for over 340 yards, completing 75% of his passes. The defense did a great job at stopping Leonard Fournette, who seemed to be the main focus but it cost them as they were picked apart in terms of passing. Unfortunately, the Jaguars could not convert those yards into touchdowns. Rookie DT Carlos Hall saw some snaps in the Nose Tackle position and made the most of it. Backup CB Dion Owens came through with a blocked kick as well.
Special Teams:
K G. McGoat - 1/1 Field Goals, 100%, 4/4 Extra Points, 100%
P K. Brindza - 3 Punts, 182 Yards, 60.7 AVG
WR B. Armstrong (R) - 2 Kick Returns, 44 Yards, 5 Punt Returns, 134 Yards, 1 TD
The Jets have been searching for a spark in the return game for a few seasons now and brought in a bunch of return specialists. Rookie 6th round pick, WR Bernard Armstrong took his first career punt return for a touchdown. Let's hope that this continues.
Jets Player of the Game: LOLB Josh Whitehead
Roster Moves:
QB Josh Dobbs was injured early in the 4th quarter against the Jaguars so he will miss a few weeks. While Dobbs is out, the Jets made a trade with the Cleveland Browns to bring in veteran QB Ryan Tannehill. They also made the decision to sign a Seattle Seahawks practice squad QB, Dustin Witman, who is in his second year as a pro. He is a big kid with a huge arm. He will most likely serve as a backup as Dobbs recovers.
5th Round pick, MLB Kerrick Sherrell was also signed to the active roster after being placed on the Practice Squad. It seems like the coaching staff wants to give this kid a chance as a backup and special teams player.
To make room for the new additions, the Jets have released WR Dillion Veldman, who was brought in last season to compete for the returner job, HB C.T. McClendon, a 3rd string 'back with no role on the roster and QB Ryen Pascoe, a 4th year backup who has been Josh Dobbs backup since 2018.
New York went into the draft with 5 picks while having no 3rd or 4th rounder. The past drafts have been great for this new regime so they hope this class will be as successful.
1. (16) via Dallas Cowboys - C.J. Price, TE - Miami
The Jets were certainly in the market for a Tight End after losing Jordan Leggett to free agency. They signed 5th year player, George Kittle in Free Agency as insurance and depth. With a class as front-loaded as this one, the Jets knew they needed to take a chance on one of these guys. There were reports that the Jets wanted Casey Szott out of Texas but he went to the Seattle Seahawks at pick 12. Price is a huge man. Standing at 6'6, 260 LBs. This guy looks like a defensive lineman. Don't be fooled though, as he has the athleticism to make all the plays. He has good speed and burst off the line, he also has a very good vertical that will allow him to get over opposing Linebackers and Safeties. He never blocked at Miami so he will need to learn how to get dirty in the trenches as the Jets love to pound the ball.
Grade: B
2. (30) - Carlos Hall, RE/DT - Mississippi State
Carlos Hall played Defensive End in college but the Jets viewed him as a interior Tackle. At 6'5, 293 LBs, he can be used all over the creative Jets defensive front. Oddly enough, he isn't very strong but has some speed for a big guy and was known for being one of the best defensive lineman at shedding double teams. The last time the Jets drafted a defensive lineman in the second round, they turned a project player who was expected to only be a rotational guy, into a full-time starter who has had 15.5 in his first two seasons. Hall will have a hard time getting playing time but expect him to rotate in on running downs.
Grade: C
5. (30) - Kerrick Sherrell, MLB - Wake Forest
This was viewed as a depth pick. The Jets continue to deal with multiple injuries at a time at Inside Linebacker. Unfortunately, Sherrell will have a hard time staying on the roster. Prototypical Linebacker with solid speed but slow to react at the snap. No one has ever questioned his motor but he will need to work on his tackling and ability to shed blocks if he expects to play in the NFL. Looks like a potential Practice Squad candidate early on.
Grade: D+
6. (30) - Bernard Armstrong, WR - San Jose State
Armstrong was one of the fastest players in the draft. He made a name for himself as a special teams returner and that is exactly what New York wanted when they drafted him. With a receiving corp that is already stacked up front, he fills in perfectly as a returner. A shifty, fast player to give their special teams a spark. He has a very small frame so it will be hard for him to hold up well in the NFL but if he can learn to evade tacklers and use his speed to stay out of reach of defenders, he can be dangerous. Good value to fill a wide open hole.
Grade: B-
7. (30) - Scott Clapp, C - Rice
Scott Clapp got lost behind such a deep offensive line draft. Despite the crowded class, Clapp still managed to get drafted and for good reason. He has excellent burst at the point of attack. He won't "wow" you with his strength or overall speed but his intelligence and agility is something worth noting. He was known for being very disciplined in the trenches and one of the most clutch lineman in the draft. He joins an incredible talented offensive line, where playing time may only come if someone goes down due to an injury but I'm sure the Jets are happy to have him as a backup and insurance.
Grade: C+
OVERALL GRADE: C+
New York did not get many great players but they have some depth to work with and the impression coming from the Front Office is that they wanted depth and project players. So we can't fault them for getting what they wanted. It is also worth noting that this is the first draft that the Jets did not draft or sign an Undrafted Free Agent from the Tri-State area as they usually do.
New York Jets 'End of Season' Draft Grades
Round 1. HB - Shawn Reese
Stats: 271 Carries, 2,053 Rushing Yards, 7.6 YPC, 36 Touchdowns, 42 Receptions, 419 Receiving Yards, 1 Touchdown, 3/4 Passing, 75%, 35 Yards, 16 Games
Reese was the number one overall pick for a reason and the Jets made sure he was used as such. He made an instant impact. Not only was he the leagues leading rusher, he was the AFC Best Running Back, he won the AFC Offensive Rookie of the Year award and did not stop there. He went on to win the AFC Offensive Player of the Year. Oh no, that's not all, he won the prestigious Most Valuable Player award after being neck and neck in the race against fellow teammate Josh Whitehead, who finished second in the voting. Just to top it all off, Reese was given an Pro Bowl invite as well.
Grade: A+
Round 1. WR - Lefi Anderson
Stats: 74 Receptions, 1,493 Receiving Yards, 14 Touchdowns, 17 Carries, 121 Rushing Yards, 7.1 YPC, 3 Touchdowns, 16 Games
Another first round pick, Lefi Anderson was so coveted by the Jets, that they were willing to trade back into the first round to get him. After a rocky start to his career, Anderson finally picked it up and solidified himself as the Jets number one wideout. They were patient with him and allowed him to grow through his mistakes. Anderson cemented himself as the AFC Best Wide Receiver and earned a Pro Bowl appearance.
Grade: A-
Round 4. WR - Rasean Bond
Stats: 40 Receptions, 737 Receiving Yards, 4 Touchdowns, 16 Games
Bond was a part of the "Wide Receiver Musical Chairs" early on in the season that may have really helped his production. Showing his versatility by playing all over the field, Bond locked down the slot position and showed his physicality and toughness playing inside. The knock on him will be his speed but when you can fight for the football as well as this kid, skies the limit.
Grade: B
Round 5. CB - Dion Owens
Stats: 12 Total Tackles, 1 P. Deflection, 1 Forced Fumble, 2 Blocked Kicks, 16 Games
Dion Owens is simply a depth player in this Jets secondary but that did not stop him from making an appearance when possible. Blocking 2 kick attempts and forcing a fumble, Owens showed his high motor and willingness to make a play despite not playing many snaps. Coaches say they view him as a quick learner and with CB Jalen Collins getting up their in age, it will be interesting to see how this pans out for the young Cornerback.
Grade: C+
Round 6. FB - Craig Copeland
Stats: 3 Carries, 8 Rushing Yards, 2.7 YPC, 1 Kick Return, 8 Yards, 16 Games
Craig Copeland was viewed as one of the best fullbacks in the draft and yet somehow fell to the 6th round. He was an bull dozier of a blocker. While his stats don't show much, don't be fooled. This kid has a gas tank like no other. He is a big reason why Shawn Reese was able to be so successful on the ground.
Grade: B
Round 7. DT - Rashaun Middleton
Not many good players come out of the 7th round. Middleton was placed on the Practice Squad during the preseason and has stayed there all year. Coaches has not seen much development out of him so there is no guarantee he will be back next season. Luckily, 7th round picks can be wasted as such with almost no remorse.
Grade: F
OVERALL GRADE: A
Why? The performance of Shawn Reese was out of this world and one of the greatest seasons in the history of the NFL and Lefi Anderson proving to be a number one receiver. The Jets needed playmakers on offense and they got them. Rasean Bond gives them depth and a big target inside. Craig Copeland will continue to lead block for Reese and may even help with picking up those hard yards.
Week 5 Recap:
Denver Broncos at New York Jets
Final Score: 7-50 (W)
With New York coming off a massive victory over the Patriots, they put their focus towards the visiting Broncos. The Broncos are coming off a Bye Week with a 2-1 record, hoping to get a spark to keep them in the playoff race. Last season, these two teams met in a snowy, low scoring match up in the divisional round of the playoffs.
Offense:
QB J. Dobbs - 9/15, 60%, 205 Yards, 3 TDs, 3 Carries, 32 Yards
HB S. Reese (R) - 22 Carries, 104 Yards, 2 TDs, 2 Receptions, 15 Yards
WR R. Bond (R) - 3 Receptions, 76 Yards, 1 TD
WR L. Anderson (R) - 2 Receptions, 73 Yards, 1 TD
WR S. Coates - 1 Reception, 30 Yards, 1 TD
Rasean Bond continues to show he deserves playing time. Starting in the slot, he was able to rack up a team high 76 yards through the air. The sure-handed receiver was definitely a great find for the Jets offense. The Broncos defense could not stop this offense as they let up 341 total offensive yards and 5 touchdowns. 2 of which came on the ground with Shawn Reese, averaging 4.7 YPC against what is supposed to be a very good defensive front.
Defense:
LOLB J. Whitehead - 8 Tackles, 2 TFL, 3.5 Sacks, 1 FF, 1 FR
FS N. Armstead - 6 Tackles
SS J. Adams - 5 Tackles, 2 TFL, 1 INT, 1 P. Def
LE L. Williams - 3 Tackles, 1 TFL, 2 Sacks, 1 FR, 1 Safety
MLB S. Wilds - 3 Tackles, 1 INT, 1 TD
Third year Quarterback Anthony Schroeder was under a lot of pressure, taking 6 sacks and throwing 2 interceptions in the process. The young QB couldn't get much going as he completed only 54% of his passes. The Broncos offense only ran the ball a total of 8 times for a total of -1 yards. They played from behind all game and did not get on the board until the 3rd quarter where they picked up their only score. This was a statement game for the Jets who needed to make up for the lackluster game in the playoffs last year.
Special Teams:
K G. McGoat - 2/2 Field Goals, 100%, 6/6 Extra Points, 100%
P K. Brindza - 3 Punts, 201 Yards, 67.0 AVG
WR A. Stewart - 1 Kick Return, 17 Yards, 1 Punt Return, 12 Yards
Jets Player of the Game: LOLB Josh Whitehead
Week 4 Recap:
New York Jets at New England Patriots
Final Score: 50-27 (W)
This is the first meeting between these two hated division rivals as the 2-1 Patriots hope to slow down the 3-0 Jets. In a match up that could potentially determine the division winner down the road, this is a must win for both teams.
Offense:
QB J. Dobbs - 19/24, 79%, 247 Yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 2 Carries, 26 Yards
HB S. Reese (R) - 18 Carries, 138 Yards, 7.6 YPC, 3 TDs, 4 Receptions, 28 Yards
WR S. Coates - 5 Receptions, 101 Yards
WR R. Bond (R) - 4 Receptions, 47 Yards, 1 TD
WR L. Anderson (R) - 5 Receptions, 62 Yards
The coaches liked what they saw out of rookie WR Rasean Bonds as they allowed him to stay as the number 2 wideout for this game. He made an incredible touchdown catch right before halftime, jumping over CB Malcolm Butler and going untouched passed the goal line for the only receiving touchdown for the Jets. Shawn Reese had a slow start on the ground but later picked it up allowing himself to finish with over 130 yards and 3 touchdowns. The offense as a whole was very efficient, converting on a score every time they visited the red zone.
Defense:
SS J. Adams - 4 Tackles, 1 P. Def, 1 FR, 1 TD
MLB D. Lee - 4 Tackles, 1 Sack
MLB S. Wilds - 4 Tackles, 1 Sack
CB J. Collins - 4 Tackles, 1 Sack, 1 P. Def
LOLB J. Whitehead - 2 Tackles, 1.5 Sacks
CB J. Agnew - 2 Tackles, 3 P. Def, 1 INT, 1 TD
CB R. Henry - 3 Tackles, 1 INT
CB D. Owens (R) - 1 Block
The defense fired back continuing to show it's inconsistency. 7 total sacks in this game coming from different positions. QB Jimmy Garoppolo finished with a 52% completion percentage and also threw 2 interceptions. Jamal Agnew snagged one of those interceptions and took it back 82 yards for a touchdown, while 2nd year CB Roy Henry picked him off in the endzone. Rookie CB Dion Owens made an appearance on special teams by blocking a kick to allow Jamal Adams to come through with the scoop and score for 77 yards. Overall, the offense of the Pats wasn't all too bad. The biggest issue was keeping Jimmy Garoppolo in a clean pocket.
Special Teams
K G. McGoat - 3/3 Field Goals, 100%, 5/5 Extra Points, 100%
P K. Brindza - 0 Punts
WR A. Stewart - 2 Kick Returns, 48 Yards, 24.0 AVG, 2 Punt Returns, 6 Yards, 3.0 AVG
Player of the Game: HB Shawn Reese
Name: Malcolm Gregg
Position: Outside Linebacker
Team: Carolina Panthers
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 260lbs
Draft Position: Round 1, #1, 2018
Malcolm Gregg is a third year player out of Tennessee. The Panthers traded up to get him in the 2018 Draft and made him the number one overall pick, and for good reason. In 2018, Gregg, who played as a Defensive End in a 4-3 scheme, was the NFC Defensive Rookie of the Year. That's not all. He was also named to the Pro Bowl as he was in the top 5 in sacks his rookie year.
2018 Stats: 56 Solo Tackles, 10 TFL, 18 Sacks, 1 P. Def, 6 Catches Allowed, 2 Forced Fumbles, 2 Fumble Recoveries
He had a tremendous rookie year. His combination of size and speed is unreal as a pass rusher. The kids upside has no limit. As his second year proved.
In year two, 2019, Gregg had a new coach who moved him to Outside Linebacker in a 4-3 scheme and it certainly worked as he won NFC Defensive Player of the Year along with being the league leader in sacks when he surpassed previous record holder, fellow 2018 draftee Josh Whitehead (30), with 36.5. Once again, Gregg was named to the Pro Bowl.
2019 Stats: 57 Solo Tackles, 20 TFL, 36.5 Sacks, 4 P. Def, 1 Safety
Malcolm Gregg is a unique talent, earning some of the highest awards in sports in just two seasons. Big things await the young kid as he will be terrorizing the league for many, many years.
Week 3 Recap:
San Francisco 49ers at New York Jets
Final Score: 24-30 (W)
MetLife Stadium is covered in Green and White for the first time this season as the 0-2 San Francisco 49ers came across the country to face the 2-0 Jets. Following their dominant defensive performance, the Jets look to carry that over on their home turf while improving on the offensive side of the ball. Meanwhile, Cam Newton and the 49ers need to cut back on the turnovers as he had 5 interceptions last week.
Offense:
QB J. Dobbs - 22/29, 75%, 367 Yards, 3 TDs, 3 Carries, 12 Yards, 1 Fumble
HB S. Reese (R) - 20 Carries, 54 Yards, 2.7 YPC, 4 Receptions, 9 Yards
WR S. Coates - 4 Receptions, 72 Yards, 1 TD
WR L. Anderson (R) - 4 Receptions, 86 Yards, 2 TDs
WR R. Bond (R) - 4 Receptions, 84 Yards
TE J. Leggett - 3 Receptions, 91 Yards
It was clear that the focus for the 49ers defense was to slow down Shawn Reese and they succeeded at that, holding him to under 60 yards on the ground. That defensive front did an incredible job at breaking through and stuffing him whenever he got the ball. Despite running the ball 20 times, he did have much of a chance to do anything. Josh Dobbs on the other hand took advantage of the defense focusing on the Runningback as he flung the ball for over 350 yards and completed a pass to 8 different receivers. 8 receptions went to the rookie receivers who finally burst. With Rasean Bond getting the start outside this game, Lefi Anderson shifted inside to the slot and it worked wonders for both players. Anderson was able to haul in a 41 yard touchdown pass as well. This offense did give up 6 sacks though. The time of possession battle wasn't even close as the Jets held the ball for almost 24 minutes to the 49ers 8 minutes. With how long the Jets had possession, it's a shame they couldn't take full advantage and score more.
Defense:
FS N. Armstead - 3 Tackles, 1 TFL, 2 P. Def
LOLB J. Whitehead - 3 Tackles, 1 TFL, 0.5 Sack
ROLB D. Doucet - 2 Tackles, 0.5 Sack
CB J. Agnew - 2 Tackles, 2 P. Def
LE L. Williams - 1 Tackle, 1 Sack
QB Cam Newton did a solid job in terms of ball security against this defense as he threw for 245 yards, 3 touchdowns and only 1 interception. Newton was sacked only twice due to him being able to get rid of the ball fairly quickly but his accuracy wasn't as efficient as he completed only 43% of his passes. The overall play of this defense wasn't as great as it was last week as they showed inconsistency. The biggest disappointment was allowing WR Doug Baldwin to break away for a 64 yard touchdown. Somehow the 31 year old still had some juice left. CB Jalen Collins recorded the only interception when Newton threw into double coverage.
Special Teams:
K G. McGoat - 3/3 Field Goals, 100%, 3/3 Extra Points, 100%
P K. Brindza - 0 Punts
WR C. Samuel - 4 Kick Returns, 112 Yards, 1 Punt Return, 6 Yards
FB M. Williams - 1 Kick Return, 6 Yards
The Jets did not punt at all this game, let's hope to continue that every game.
Player of the Game: QB Josh Dobbs
Now 3-0 and division rivals are in sight next week as the New England Patriots will be hosting us. This is an important game as it will have big implications on who may be the division winner as the end of the season.
Week 2 Recap:
New York Jets at Buffalo Bills
Final Score: 52-10 (W)
Following a crushing loss to the New England Patriots, the Bills look to rebound against another division rival, New York Jets. The Jets have had the Bills number in the past few seasons but following the off-season, the Bills, made some big moves in hopes of turning this team around. Trading for one of the most agile Runningbacks, Tevin Coleman, drafting a Quarterback, Hansen Rushing out of Texas in the first round and also bringing in a few more receivers to pick up the lackluster offense, there is a lot of hope up in Buffalo.
New York barely escaped Miami with a win, needing a huge turnover in the final minutes to turn the tide of that game. The Jets need to pick it up and brush off the rust as they head North and look to win two in a row.
Offense:
QB J. Dobbs - 7/12, 58%, 157 Yards, 1 INT, 2 Carries, 19 Yards, 1 TD
HB S. Reese (R) - 11 Carries, 188 Yards, 17.1 YPC, 4 TDs, 1 Reception, -4 Yards
WR S. Coates - 3 Receptions, 111 Yards
WR L. Anderson (R) - 2 Receptions, 34 Yards, 3 Carries, 30 Yards, 1 TD
WR R. Bond (R) - 1 Reception, 16 Yards
First round WR Lefi Anderson was given the start over Curtis Samuel and he showed his athleticism by rushing the ball a few times for solid gains but he did have about 2 or 3 critical drops. He has a lot to learn and needs to be smarter when trying to bring in the ball. WR Rasean Bond was given playing time in the slot where he only had 1 reception. Hopefully these young receivers pick it up. The best thing going on offense was rookie HB Shawn Reese who lit it up from the start of this game. The young back broke a big run after big run which kept a lot of pressure off QB Josh Dobbs.
Defense:
MLB D. Lee - 9 Tackles, 3 TFL, 1 P. Def
LOLB J. Whitehead - 8 Tackles, 1 TFL, 4 Sacks
ROLB D. Doucet - 4 Tackles, 2 Sacks, 1 INT
CB J. Agnew - 5 Tackles, 3 INTs, 6 P. Def, 1 TD
FS N. Armstead - 4 Tackles, 2 INTs, 1 TD
SS J. Adams - 8 Tackles, 1 TFL, 2 INTs, 2 P. Def
This is what a top defense looks like. Bouncing back from last weeks inconsistent play, the New York defense put up 7.5 sacks and 9 interceptions. They forced Buffalo to bench QB Matt Ryan, for rookie Hansen Rushing as neither could get anything going. The biggest hiccup of the Jets defense was the 75 yard touchdown run by Tevin Coleman, outside of that long run, Coleman only had 36 yards on the ground. Despite the Buffalo Quarterbacks trying to force the ball to standout WR, Marcus Norman, he was held to under 100 yards with 80 on 5 receptions. In two weeks so far, Free Agent acquisition, LB Dawson Doucet is proving to be a solid signee for this defense as he has had 2 sacks in back-to-back games.
Special Teams:
K G. McGoat - 0/0 Field Goals, 8/8 Extra Points, 100%
P K. Brindza - 2 Punts, 123 Yards, 61.5 AVG
WR C. Samuel - 1 Kick Return, 16 Yards
Player of the Game: HB Shawn Reese
Starting the season with two games on the road, the Jets have their home opener next week against the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers are 0-2 going into week 3. They lost a shootout last week by only 3 points against the Philadelphia Eagles in what seemed like a crushing defeat. They will look to get back on track against a playoff caliber team. This will be a true test for the 49ers.