Free fallin’ Gang Green will start Petty in final four

FINALLY, TODD BOWLES has seen enough.

Second-year quarterback Bryce Petty will start the final four games of this disappointing 2016 Jets season. Bowles announced the decision following an embarrassing 41-10 loss to the Colts at MetLife Stadium on Monday night. Petty replaced starter Ryan Fitzpatrick for the second half of the defeat.

Bowles said the Jets’ plan was to start Petty for the last four games, regardless of what took place Monday night.

“We could have won 45-0, and he was going to start the last four games,” Bowles said.

However, with his team facing a 31-3 deficit early in the third quarter, Bowles turned to Petty sooner than expected. Petty took over for the Jets’ opening drive of the second half and was hit-or-miss for the rest of the night.

Petty completed 11 of his 25 passes for 135 yards. He threw one touchdown, a 40yard bomb to rookie wide receiver Robby Anderson, and two interceptions.

Bowles said because of their massive lead, the Colts were playing a great deal of prevent defense, dropping numerous defensive backs into coverage.

Petty’s first interception came with less than a minute remaining in the third quarter. He tried to force a deep throw to Anderson down the middle of the field but didn’t see safety Mike Adams playing over the top. Adams jumped in front of Anderson and secured the pick, returning it 56 yards to set up the Colts’ final touchdown.

Petty threw another pick with less than two minutes remaining in regulation on another throw intended for Anderson.

“To be honest, I didn’t feel like I played to my ability tonight. I think I was pressing a little bit, whether I was trying to create a spark or trying to create a big play,” Petty said. “Sometimes, in those situations, you just got to take what the defense gives you and roll with it that way. We’re definitely going to learn from it.”

The final pass of Fitzpatrick’s Jets season will be an interception. The 34-yearold, who Gang Green signed to a one-year, $12 million contract this offseason, finished 5 of 12 for 81 yards. With the Jets trailing 24-3 late in the second half, Fitzpatrick fired an ill-advised pass over the middle intended for Brandon Marshall. Cornerback Darius Butler hauled it in for Fitzpatrick’s 13th interception this season.

“I didn’t get it done,” Fitzpatrick said.