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At long last, the Jets announced their full coaching staff Monday. The headline is Matt Cavanaugh, who was retained as the quarterbacks coach. Some quick thoughts on the staff:

1. The Cavanaugh move (or non-move) is a stunner, considering Mark Sanchez's struggles in 2011 and the fact that Cavanaugh's former boss, ex-coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, was shown the door. When a new offensive coordinator comes in (see Tony Sparano), he usually likes to surround himself with people he knows. This could be an awkward marriage.

2. Why keep Cavanaugh? Three possible reasons: A) They didn't want to create too much upheaval around Sanchez, B) They couldn't get anyone better; C) They didn't want to eat the final year of Cavanaugh's contract. I think there were elements of all three that factored into the decision.

3. The coaching staff lacks a so-called passing guru. Sparano, who made his bones as a line coach, is a run-first kind of guy. The new wide receivers coach, Sanjay Lal, has only three years experience as a position coach. That leaves Cavanaugh as the most experienced guy on staff in a passing-related role.

4. If the Jets are plotting a pursuit of Peyton Manning, they sure have a funny way of showing it. First, they hire Sparano, a run-oriented coach. Now, they retain Cavanaugh, Sanchez's personal coach. Based purely on these two moves, you'd think they have no interest in Manning. (Personally, I think they do, and will explore the situation.)

5. This isn't news, but they made a smart move by keeping RBs coach Anthony Lynn. Aside from being a good coach, he's familiar with Sparano, having worked with him in Dallas.

6. I'll be honest, I don't know much about the new DL coach, Karl Dunbar, but I do know this: At least he has experience coaching the defensive line (the last six years with the Vikings). His predecessor, Mark Carrier, was a secondary coach miscast as a DL coach. He was hired Monday by the Bengals to coach the secondary.

7. LBs coach Bob Sutton, who has been around here longer than anyone, was given the title of "assistant head coach" -- and deservedly so. Previously, the title belonged to former OL coach Bill Callahan.

Here's a breakdown of the coaching staff:

Head coach: Rex Ryan.

Offense: Tony Sparano (coordinator), Matt Cavanaugh (quarterbacks), Anthony Lynn (running backs), Dave DeGuglielmo (offensive line), Mike Devlin (tight ends/asst. offensive line), Sanjay Lal (wide receivers), Lance Taylor (asst. tight ends/quality control).

Defense: Mike Pettine (coordinator), Karl Dunbar (defensive line), Bob Sutton (asst. head coach/linebackers), Dennis Thurman (secondary), Mike Smith (outside linebackers), Jim O'Neil (asst. defensive backs), Brian Smith (quality control).

Special teams: Mike Westhoff (coordinator), Ben Kotwica (assistant special teams).

Strength and conditioning: Bill Hughan (head), Justus Galac (assistant) and Paul Ricci (assistant).

Rex Ryan sure gets around. He went from the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., to the Pro Bowl in Hawaii. (Much to his chagrin, there's only one Bowl not on his travel itinerary.)

In Hawaii, he talked to ESPN's Bob Holtzman, expressing confidence that the Jets' locker-room problems will be cleaned up and issuing another vote of confidence for QB Mark Sanchez.

"We're facing the fact that our locker room wasn't as close as it has been in the past and, obviously, one thing we know is we're going to fix it," said Ryan, wearing a Mardi Gras-like necklace with beaded Jets logos. "We might have been knocked down this year, but we're not knocked out. We're going to be swinging again, there's no doubt about it."

Asked how much of it is fixable, Ryan replied, "One hundred percent, that's all."

So much for the toned-down Rex.

He also was asked the obligatory Peyton Manning question, but he declined to answer, citing tampering rules.

"Mark Sanchez is the future of the Jets," Ryan said. "He's a great quarterback ... We're going to be together a long time."

Didn't he say something similar about Brian Schottenheimer?

Former Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, officially hired as the Rams' OC, said Tuesday he doesn't believe he would've returned to the Jets in 2012 even if they hadn't collapsed at the end of the season with a three-game losing streak.

"I don't think so," he said.

Schottenheimer, speaking to the St. Louis media via conference call, echoed the Jets' company line, painting it as a mutual parting with both sides looking for a fresh start.

Okay, so why did Schottenheimer receive a two-year, $3.2 million extension before the season? If he knew he was leaving before the season-ending mess, there must have been some nasty stuff going on behind the scenes when they were cruising along at 8-5.

Schottenheimer said he made some "great memories" with the Jets, adding, "But I was excited about the possibility of a change and I quite honestly couldn’t be more pleased of how it ended up, that I’m here in St. Louis working for a guy that is just a terrific head coach (Jeff Fisher)."

Schottenheimer wasn't asked about the dysfunction on the Jets' offense or the Mark Sanchez-Santonio Holmes feud. But he indirectly responded to Rex Ryan's claim last week that the terminology in Schottenheimer's playbook was too complicated.

"I do not think that the verbiage is a problem, and if it ever became that, I would (hope) that somebody spoke up and came to me and said, ‘Hey, the verbiage is too much,'" he said, using the word -- verbiage -- that Ryan used last week in a conference call with reporters. "But that’s never happened in my career."

The Rams visit the Jets next season. That will be interesting

"I’ll look forward to all the games, but it will be fun to go up against those guys," he said. "Being in New York for six years, I’ve got some great relationships back there. Really, really had a great time coaching there. We had a lot of success. I’m thrilled about the things we were able to do. I wish we could have gotten over the hump and made it to a Super Bowl, but it will a fun game to look forward to."

Former Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer didn't land the Jaguars' head-coaching gig, but he landed softly in a nice spot -- the Rams.

Schottenheimer will get a chance to prove himself away from the glare of a big media market, and he gets to start over in an organization that is starting over. He will work under the well-respected Jeff Fisher, who was hired recently to take over the 2-14 Rams.

Offensively, there's no place to go but up for the Rams. They ranked 31st in total offense and 32nd in scoring, averaging only 12.1 points per game -- a mind-boggling figure for the NFL.

Schottenheimer's cupboard is mostly bare, but the most important ingredient is in place -- a franchise quarterback, Sam Bradford. He will be Schottenheimer's No. 1 priority. Bradford flashed immense potential as a rookie, but much like Mark Sanchez, he regressed last season.

Schottenheimer will carry that stain with him to St. Louis, Sanchez's step back, but now he gets a chance to rebuild his rep with a young quarterback that obviously has skills. There isn't much around Bradford, except for RB Steven Jackson, who rushed for 1,145 yards last season. Their best receiver, Brandon Lloyd, is an unrestricted free agent and the line needs a lot of work.

This will be good for Schottenheimer. He needed a fresh start. So did the Jets, who underachieved this season on offense.

And, yes, the Rams face the Jets in 2012. That game will be played at MetLife Stadium (no date yet). The last time Schottenheimer was there, well, it was the Giants game. Sanchez threw 59 times and, no matter how the Jets try to spin it, Schottenheimer's fate was sealed then and there.

Rex Ryan and Mike Tannenbaum are taking a lot of heat for the way they handled the Brian Schottenheimer departure, which was clumsy to say the least.

Remember, Ryan and Tannenbaum were telling the world how much they wanted him back, that they expected him back if he didn't receive a head-coaching job. Well, Schottenheimer didn't get the Jaguars' HC job and, before you could spell "Schottenheimer" backward, he was gone and Tony Sparano was in.

On Friday, Ryan, commenting for the first time, called it a "mutual decision," which is closer to the truth than Schottenheimer saying in a statement he left on his own accord. Tannenbaum admitted "there were probably a couple of things that we could have handled differently."

When the season ended, the Jets had "a number of conversations" with Schottenheimer, according to Tannenbaum.

"During the course of a few conversations, he represented to us that a fresh start would be in his best interests," Tannenbaum said. "Coach Ryan and I agreed with him."

Ryan added: "What I will say is this, when Brian went out to Jacksonville, we needed to have things lined up for our football team, the best thing for us. Just like it was the best thing for Brian to interview for the head coaching position at Jacksonville, we had to make sure that we were taking care of ourselves."

So they interviewed Sparano and OL line Bill Callahan for Schottenheimer's job even though he still had the job. Why not just fire him? In that case, the Jets would've been on the hook for his remaining salary, $3.2 million. Our guess is, they're probably still going to end up paying a chunk of it, but not all of it. Sparano still is getting paid by the Dolphins, so the Jets will save some money on that end.

On Friday, Schottenheimer was scheduled to interview for the Alabama OC job. He also has been linked to the Falcons' vacancy.

Former Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer is becoming a popular guy.

In addition to interviewing for the Alabama OC job -- that reportedly will take place Friday -- he's drawing interest from the Falcons and Jaguars, according to various reports.

The Falcons are looking to replace OC Mike Mularkey, who was hired as the Jaguars' head coach -- a job Schottenheimer coveted. Now Mularkey is looking to hire his own coordinator. Funny thing, this coaching carousel.

From Schottenheimer's standpoint, you'd think the most appealing job would be the Falcons because he'd be working with a talented, Matt Ryan-led offense (didn't look so talented against the Giants) and for a defensive-minded head coach, Mike Smith.

But it sounds like Schottenheimer is really thinking hard about the Alabama job. He has told friends that he wouldn't mind getting into the college ranks, and he apparently has an excellent chance to land the Crimson Tide job. Wonder how famous Alabama alum Joe Namath would feel about that?

Presumably, Schottenheimer wouldn't have autonomy working for an offensive-minded coach in Jacksonville. Plus, he'd inherit Blaine Gabbert, coming off a rough rookie year.

Other candidates for the Atlanta job are former Ravens coach Brian Billick, Packers QBs coach Tom Clements and Jaguars OC Dirk Koetter, according to the NFL Network.

Meanwhile, David Lee, whom the Jets interviewed Wednesday (presumably for QBs coach), reportedly was hired by the Bills.

On his first day on the job, new Jets offensive coordinator Tony Sparano reached into his past to interview a potential staff member. He met Wednesday with former Dolphins QB coach David Lee, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Lee spent three seasons on Sparano's staff in Miami (2008-2010) before moving on last year to become the offensive coordinator at Ole Miss. In 2008, Lee was named "Innovator of the Year" by the Sporting News for introducing the Wildcat offense to the NFL.

Lee's presence doesn't bode well for current QB coach Matt Cavanaugh, who has one year left on his contract and is being evaluated. Sparano met with Cavanaugh, one of three holdovers from the previous offensive staff. The others are RBs coach Anthony Lynn and TEs coach Mike Devlin. All three are under contract for 2012.

The Bills also are showing interest in Lee.

Meanwhile, former coordinator Brian Schottenheimer is drawing interesting from Alabama, according to Al.com. Nick Saban is looking for an offensive coordinator and he's expected to meet with Schottenheimer. Schottenheimer was in New Orleans for the BCS championship game and was expected to meet Wednesday in Alabama with Saban, Al.com reported.

A quick take on the late-night news: Brian Schottenheimer is out as the New York Jets' offensive coordinator. Tony Sparano is in, according to ESPN's Chris Mortensen.

1. If you removed Sparano's name and inserted Ray Handley, you get the feeling that Jets fans still would be happy. They just wanted Schottenheimer gone.

2. Make no mistake, Schottenheimer didn't jump. He was pushed. Despite Rex Ryan's attempts to convince everyone he wanted Schottenheimer back, it was NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN. Just as I reported a few days before their last game.

3. Sparano is a well-respected coach in the business, but he has never been a coordinator and he called plays in only one season, 2006. That was when he was with the Dallas Cowboys (2003-07), working under Bill Parcells. He didn't call plays during his three-plus seasons as the Miami Dolphins' head coach.

4. Sprarano is an offensive-line/running-game coach, not a quarterback tutor -- and that's what the Jets need to fix Mark Sanchez. Presumably, they're going to hire a proven quarterback/passing-game coach to work with Sanchez -- or else this Sparano hire makes no sense.

5. Priority No. 1 is Sanchez. That's why Schottenheimer is out. His job was to groom Sanchez, who took a step backward in 2011. If Sanchez flatlines in 2012, they all could be out of jobs.

6. The Sparano hiring is a clear indication that Ryan wants to get back to being a run-oriented offense. They lost that identity last season, although Ryan deserves a lot of that blame.

7. Get ready for more Wildcat. Remember, it was Sparano's staff in Miami that introduced the Wildcat in 2009. Ryan likes the Wildcat and wasn't shy about telling everyone after the Week 13 win over the Redskins that it was his idea -- not Schottenheimer's -- to go heavy with the Wildcat.

8. Give Ryan some credit. He could've made the easy hire and promoted OL coach Bill Callahan, but he decided to go outside the organization for a fresh approach. Once Callahan found out he wasn't getting the job, he bolted to the Cowboys.

9. Schottenheimer did some good things in six seasons with the Jets, but it was time for a change -- for both parties. Let's be honest: He lost the offense over the final three games. Instead of getting better in the homestretch, it got worse, and he couldn't blame it on injuries. It was a dysfunctional unit that never jelled or found an identity.

10. Don't discount the Santonio Holmes factor. Holmes isn't a Schottenheimer fan, and it sure looks like he's going to be sticking around because the Jets don't want to eat $7.75 million in guarantees. This move will make Holmes happy.

11. Owner Woody Johnson is so predictable. Whenever the Jets don't make the playoffs, there's always a sacrifice or a blockbuster move to appease the fan base.

12. Don't think for a second the Jets won't enjoy knocking the Giants off the back pages for a day.

13. Why did the Jets wait until 11:15 p.m. ET to make the Schottenheimer announcement? Because they wanted to wait until the outcome of the Jacksonville Jaguars' head-coaching search. Once they discovered it wasn't going to be Schottenheimer, they proceeded. They didn't want to sabotage his chances, partly because they wanted to get his $3.2 million off their books.

14. Is Northern New Jersey big enough for two Tony Sparanos (even if their last names are spelled a little differently)?

Eventful night on the Jets' coaching front: Brian Schottenheimer is staying (for now); Bill Callahan is going.

Schottenheimer interviewed for the Jaguars' head-coaching vacancy, but Jacksonville has decided to hire Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey, the Florida Times-Union reported Tuesday night.

Meanwhile, Callahan was hired by the Cowboys to replace retiring offensive-line coach Hudson Houck, as first reported by ESPN's Chris Mortensen.

Let's try to make some sense of these moves.

This doesn't mean Schottenheimer is back for good as the Jets' coordinator because, no matter what they say, the Jets still are hoping/expecting he lands a job elsewhere. Now there are rumblings about him becoming Nick Saban's OC at Alabama. He had been linked to the Florida OC opening, but that reportedly went to Brent Pease of Boise State.

The key question is: Did the Jets lose Callahan because of this silly dance with Schottenheimer? If they did, they should be ashamed of themselves.

They're telling everyone Schottenheimer will be back as the coordinator if he doesn't get another job, but one league insider called that a "charade," suspecting the Jets don't want to fire him so they don't have to eat the last two years of his contract ($3.2 million). The Jets have been known to pinch pennies when it comes to coaches' contracts.

Meanwhile, Callahan had no contract, as ESPNNewYork.com reported a couple of weeks ago. He opted to become a free agent, turning down a contract extension a year ago and another offer about a month before the season ended, according to sources.

I'm told Callahan would've stayed if the Jets had offered him the coordinator job, but they either couldn't or wouldn't do that. There's a big difference between couldn't and wouldn't. If it's the latter -- if they told him he wouldn't be Schottenheimer's replacement -- it means they have a solid fallback plan in place.

They're interested in former Cowboys coach Tony Sparano and former Chiefs coach Todd Haley, according to sources. It's possible they could try to bring them in as a package deal, with Sparano (OL coach) handling the running game and Haley (WRs coach) the passing game. Haley is a strong personality, known to clash with players, so that would make for an interesting dynamic with Santonio Holmes.

Former Raiders coach Hue Jackson, fired Tuesday, also is available as a potential coordinator/QB coach. He and Rex Ryan worked together in Baltimore in 2008.

Callahan spent four seasons with the Jets, presiding over one of the league's best lines for the first three years. It took a big step back this season, in large part, because he believed he could turn RT Wayne Hunter into a solid starter. That didn't work out.

Callahan won't call the plays in Dallas, so he essentially made a lateral move, which always raises eyebrows. Two days before the final game, Callahan told me, "I absolutely love it here."

Meanwhile, the Jets also said goodbye to WRs coach Henry Ellard and OLB Jeff Weeks, sources confirmed. Like Callahan, their contracts had expired. The Daily News first reported their departures.

When the season ended, Ryan scoffed at an ESPN report that said he was planning to revamp his offensive staff. Well, guess what? He's revamping.

The coaching carousel continues to spin:

1. ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported Sunday that former NFL coach Marty Schottenheimer is in the mix for the Bucs' head-coaching vacancy. Three other former head coaches, Brad Childress, Mike Sherman and Wade Phillips, also are reportedly in play. How does this affect the Jets? If Schottenheimer landed the job, you'd think he'd want his son, Brian, to run his offense.

2. Contrary to reports, Brian Schottenheimer hasn't withdrawn as a candidate for the Florida coordinator position, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

3. The Jaguars are said to be very interested in Falcons coordinator Mike Mularkey for their HC opening, but the Falcons' no-show against the Giants isn't going to help his chances. Maybe that gives Schottenheimer a boost; he interviewed with the Jaguars on Friday.

Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer has a legitimate chance to land the head-coaching gig with the Jaguars, from what I'm told.

Schottenheimer reportedly interviewed Friday with Jacksonville officials. Clearly, the Jaguars are looking for an offensive-minded coach with the ability to groom a young quarterback, Blaine Gabbert. Schottenheimer has charisma, and it wouldn't shock me if he killed the interview. He also has ties to the area, as a former backup quarterback for the Florida Gators in the 1990s.

Plus, it's not like he's competing against a who's who? of coaching candidates. Various reports have linked Mike Mularkey (Falcons), Mike McCoy (Broncos), Rob Chudzinski (Panthers) and Jay Gruden (Bengals) to the vacancy. Interim coach Mel Tucker also interviewed.

Schottenheimer hasn't been linked with any other NFL openings, although the Florida Times-Union reported that he was briefly in the mix for the Gators' offensive-coordinator job.

Rex Ryan and GM Mike Tannenbaum have said numerous times that Schottenheimer would return as their offensive coordinator if he doesn't get a job elsewhere, but you get the feeling they know he isn't coming back. Schottenheimer has two years, $3.2 million left on his contract, but the Jets wouldn't be responsible for that if he lands a HC job in the NFL.

Rex Ryan has been defending his offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer all week. On Friday, after what could be the team's last practice of the season in Florham Park, Ryan was again asked if he expected Schottenheimer to return for the 2012 season.

"Yes, I do," Ryan said. "I'll say that, obviously, if he gets a head coaching job, then see you later. I'll be happy to see that. Do I expect him back? It's probably 50-50 on that because I think there is an opportunity for Brian to get a head coaching job this year. I thought it the first two years, but it wasn't to be. He certainly will be a qualified applicant to be a head coach, that's for sure.

What if Schottenheimer doesn't get a head coaching job?

"Then, I expect him back," Ryan said.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- After two straight fourth-quarter comeback victories, the New York Jets breezed to a 37-10 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday at MetLife Stadium.

What it means: The Jets (8-5) won their third straight, making the late-season charged that Rex Ryan predicted last month after a crushing loss in Denver. They moved ahead of the Cincinnati Bengals (7-6) in the race for the final wild-card spot.

Cheers, Mark: Two weeks ago, QB Mark Sanchez was booed by the home crowd in the pregame introductions -- and it became a big story. This time, he received a nice, but not overwhelming ovation -- and he responded by playing one of his most efficient games as a Jet.

Sanchez became the first quarterback in team history to rush for two touchdowns and pass for two touchdowns in the same game, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Sanchez (13-for-21, 181 yards, no interceptoins) made it look easy against a surprisingly inept Kansas City defense.

Nice plan: The Jets neutralized the Chiefs' outside pass rushers, using two- and three-tight end packages. In fact, they used backup OL Vladimir Ducasse as an extra tight end on at least 15 snaps through the first three quarters. They also gashed the Chiefs with a couple of long-gaining screen passes. This was power football, a well-designed game plan by coordinator Brian Schottenheimer -- and consultant Tom Moore, for the conspiracy theorists out there.

The Palko project: Bad quarterback or great defense? Yes, the Jets were terrific, but let’s not anoint them as an elite defense just yet. Chiefs QB Tyler Palko, making his fourth start for the injured Matt Cassel, was absolutely brutal. He was rattled, missed open receivers, made dumb throws and … well, we could go on, but we'll stop there. He was sacked five times and completed only 16 of 32 passes for 195 yards and an interception.

Rarely in the NFL do you see this kind of domination. The Jets outgained the Chiefs in the first half, 253-4. Defensively, the Jets did whatever they wanted to go, controlling the line of scrimmage against a solid rushing attack. The Chiefs (5-8), who began the day with faint playoff hopes, should be ashamed of their effort.

Bad break: For the second straight year, the Jets apparently will be without safety Jim Leonhard for the stretch run. Leonhard suffered a potentially serious knee injury on a fluke play in the second quarter. He made an interception, but his right knee was twisted when he tried to escape the grasp of WR Steve Breaston. Leonhard had to be helped off the field and was carted to the locker room. Leonhard slammed his fist as he left the field, an ominous sign.

This would be a major blow for the Jets. Leonhard is an every-down safety, the quarterback of the secondary. When he broke his leg last December, it wasn't easy for the defense to get acclimated without him. They'll go without Eric Smith and Brodney Pool as their safeties. They'd also lose their most sure-handed punt returner.

Greene is money: For the second straight week, RB Shonn Greene was the running back he was expected to be, rushing for a touchdown and 129 yards. He was patient, making excellent reads as he waited for the zone-blocking scheme to open holes. They also mixed in LaDainian Tomlinson, who scored on a screen pass.

What's ahead: The Jets travel to face the Philadelphis Eagles, a battle between two teams that faced enormous preseason expectations. The Eagles crumbled, the Jets still are battling.

Thoughts and observations after reviewing the tape of Sunday night's 37-16 loss to the Patriots:

SCHOTT IN THE DARK: This performance will be a stain on Brian Schottenheimer's record, which will be reviewed after the season. The Patriots, the lowest-ranked defense in the league, used a makeshift lineup and still had their way with the Jets.

Bill Belichick started two undrafted rookies, S Sterling Moore (who never played safety) and LB Jeff Tarpinian -- neither of whom had played A SINGLE DEFENSIVE SNAP before this game. Moore, a cornerback, appeared in his first game after being called up from the practice squad. In the second quarter, they lost CB Devin McCourty (shoulder) and replaced him with Antwaun Molden, a Texans castoff.

This would be like the Jets having to use S Tracy Wilson (practice squad), LB Nick Bellore and CB Ellis Lankster in prominent roles.

Incredibly, the Jets failed to exploit the patchwork unit. Schottenheimer should've used motions and shifts to create confusion for the untested players, but there was very little of that. The formations remained static. They should've used bunch formations, the way the Patriots did to the Jets' defense, but everything was pretty vanilla. This reminded me of the next-to-last game of the '08 season, when the Jets did nothing against a Seattle offensive line that played all backups -- the game that ultimately cost Eric Mangini his job.

NO PROTECTION: The Jets allowed five sacks. Yeah, that's bad, but it's how they happened that's alarming. Three sacks were four-man rushes and one was a three-man rush. It was nothing exotic, the Patriots just won their one-on-one matchups. QB Mark Sanchez showed no pocket presence whatsoever and contributed to at least two of three sacks.

A review of the sacks.

1. Andre Carter, minus-7: The Patriots rushed four, the Jets protected with six. The Jets were in shotgun, empty backfield. TE Matt Mulligan was assigned to Carter, a bad matchup, and he got beat on an outside rush. Instead of stepping up, Sanchez slid into Carter's path.

2. Carter, minus-8: The Patriots rushed five, the Jets protected with five. Sanchez failed to recognize the front and adjust, and Carter came free, unblocked. Once again, the Jets were in shotgun/empty.

3. Carter/Mark Anderson, minus-9: The Patriots showed a double-slot blitz, but rushed only four. Sanchez, in shotgun, seemed hesitant in his pre-snap read. The Patriots stunted, and LT D'Brickashaw Ferguson and RT Wayne Hunter each got beat.

4. Carter, minus-6. The Patriots rushed four, the Jets protected with five. Again, they were in shotgun. Carter beat Ferguson.

5. Carter, minus-8. This wasn't good -- a three-man rush vs. a five-man protection. Ferguson actually did a decent job on Carter, but Sanchez held the ball too long and scrambled into Carter. Bad pocket presence.

The Patriots played a coverage-based scheme and it neutralized the Jets. In fact, all of Carter's sacks came with six or fewer men in the box -- the most sacks by any player over the last two seasons with six or less in the box, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

SO MUCH FOR GROUND & POUND: The Jets' players and coaches talked all week about how they weren't going to deviate from their run-oriented approach just because the Patriots had the 32nd-ranked pass defense. Ah, but they threw us a curve ball.

The Jets came out throwing on their first possession, going to the air on five of seven plays. They did it on the second drive, too, employing a seldom-used personnel package -- 2 RBs, 0 TEs, 3 WRs. They had the Patriots off balance, but the Jets bailed out as soon as the second drive ended with a sack. After that, it was back to Ground & Pound.

NO-HUDDLE, NO ANSWERS: The Jets reacted to the Patriots' no-huddle as if they had never seen it before. It's a New England staple, and the Jets should've been prepared. They weren't, as Tom Brady went 5-for-5 for 65 yards and one TD in the no-huddle, according to ESPN Stats. The Patriots went no-huddle on 15 of their 67 plays, accounting for 105 total yards.

The Jets were paralyzed because they rely heavily on substitution and the ability to make pre-snap checks. They also confused the Jets with several bunch formations, a great way to counter a team that plays a lot of man-to-man coverage. No doubt, future opponents will go to school on that, hoping to create similar issues.

HOT BRADY: Brady put on a clinic in the second half, completing 14-for-17 for 135 yards, two TDs. He picked on everybody not named Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie. Smart cookie, Brady. Here's a breakdown of the second-half completions/burn victims:

S Eric Smith -- Four receptions for 46 yards
CB Kyle Wilson -- Four for 44, including a TD
DB Donald Strickland -- Two for 11, including a TD
Others -- Four for 33.

LESS BLITZING: In their previous two home wins over Brady, Ryan blitzed at least one DB a total of 42 times -- and the Jets won both games. This time, there were only 14 blitzes by DBs -- and Brady tore them apart. He completed 10 of 14 passes, averaging 9.2 per attempt, with one TD, per ESPN Stats.

NO TRAFFIC JAM: At 6-foot-6, TE Rob Gronkowski is a tough cover -- we get it -- but the Jets didn't do a good job of making it hard for him. On both his TDs, they gave him a free release, allowing him to get into his pass route with no difficulty. On the first TD, he beat Smith on a post route. On the second TD, Smith blitzed Brady from the blindside, and almost got there, but Brady made a great read, spotting Strickland on Gronk. No contest.

ON THE FLIP SIDE: The Patriots did a great job of jamming TE Dustin Keller. On Sanchez's second INT, returned for a TD by Rob Ninkovich, Keller was doubled at the line and knocked to the ground by LB Tracy White, another bottom-of-the-depth chart player. Sanchez, looking for Keller, turned his focus to LaDainian Tomlinson and ... well, you saw what happened.

Here's what tight end Matt Mulligan had to say about the tongue-lashing he received from Brandon Moore and, later, Brian Schottenheimer for his holding penalty in the Jets' win over the Bills on Sunday.

"Brandon had a really good game yesterday. Schotty coached a realy good game, a lot of play-calls. So I think there's a lot of positive things, never any negative," the tight end said.

Mulligan was asked if he "took offense" to anything Moore or Schottenheimer said.

"A lot of guys had a good game, we all played well," he said. "There’s a few things we could work on this week, little things we could fix."

One thing on Mulligan's to-do list this week should be "avoid penalties."

The third-year veteran is tied with Wayne Hunter for the team lead with five flags. The caveat is Hunter probably plays 50%-60% more snaps than Mulligan.

On Sunday, Mulligan was called for a false start and a holding penalty, costing the Jets 15 yards.

But the holding penalty cost the team much more than that.

The flag nullified a 41-yard run by Shonn Greene. It was a senseless penalty, as Mulligan wasn't even near the play.

Mulligan replaced Dustin Keller in the second quarter after Keller left the game with a head injury. Keller returned to the field in the second half.