Jets cut losses, let Gase go
Adam Gase came to New York with high hopes he would be the perfect f it to help quarterback Sam Darnold take the next step in his development and boost the Jets’ offense. And lead the team back to the postseason. None of that materialized. So, the search is on — again — for a frustrated franchise.
The Jets f ired Gase on Sunday night, ending a disappointing tenure after just two loss- filled seasons.
“While my sincere intentions are to have stability in our organization — especially in our leadership positions — it is clear the best decision for the Jets is to move in a different direction,” Jets chairman and chief executive Christopher Johnson said in a statement.
Gase went 9- 23 with New York, including an 0- 13 start that was the worst in franchise history. The move came hours after the Jets lost 28- 14 at New England to end the season 2- 14 — their second- worst record ever.
Darnold regressed in his third season before being sidelined twice because of an injured right shoulder. The Jets are unlikely to exercise his f ifth- year contract option worth about $ 25 million. But two wins in the last three games cost them the No. 1 pick in the draft in April — and likely a chance at taking Clemson star quarterback Trevor Lawrence. They’ll instead pick second.
Henry joins 2K club
Tennessee’s Derrick Henry became the eighth player to run for 2,000 yards in a season.
Henry, the f irst player to do it since Adrian Peterson in 2012, finished with a teamrecord 2,027 yards after rushing for 250 and two touchdowns in the Titans’ 41- 38 win at Houston to clinch the AFC South title.
Chris Johnson held the team record with 2,006 yards in 2009, making the Titans the only team to have two players eclipse 2,000 yards. Johnson shouted Henry out, tweeting: “2 2k’s!!!!”.
Henry already won his second rushing title in a row, the first to do so since LaDaianian Tomlinson in 2007.
It’s the f ifth career 200yard game for Henry, which ranks second behind Peterson and O. J. Simpson, who have six each. Henry also is the f irst player in the Super Bowl era to rush for 200 or more yards against the same team in three straight games. He had 212 in a Week 6 win against Houston and piled up 211 in last year’s season finale.
Injuries
Cleveland defensive end Olivier Vernon, second on the Browns with nine sacks, suffered an ankle injury in the fourth quarter Sunday. He was carted off.
Rookie wide receiver/ punt returner Donovan Peoples- Jones suffered a concussion late in the first half.
Other injuries of note: Seattle defensive tackle Jarran Reed ( abdominal); Tennessee guard Roger Saffold ( ankle); Kansas City linebacker Willie Gay ( ankle) and backup cornerback DeAndre Baker ( leg); Chicago linebacker Roquan Smith ( elbow) and receiver Darnell Mooney ( ankle).
Records
Las Vegas tight end Darren Waller caught reception No. 105 to break Tim Brown’s Raiders record for a season. He finished with 107. ... Miami cornerback Xavien Howard matched a Dolphins record with his 10th interception of the season. ... Detroit’s Matt Prater set the record for career f ield goals of 50 yards or longer, making a 54- yarder to give him 59, breaking a tie with Sebastian Janikowski. Prater has the longest f ield goal this season, a 59- yarder to beat Washington on Nov. 15, which earned his city free beer as part of a promotion.
Etc.
Tony Romo was not in the broadcast booth, sidelined because of “COVID- 19 protocols,” CBS said.