The Jets’ defense was nowhere to be found on Sunday as the New England Patriots completely dismantled the Green & White, 38-14, in front of a sunburned Jets crowd. The 24-point loss was the worst season-opening home loss in franchise history.

If you bother to read blogs you are a true fan and don’t need or want to read about all the statistics you can get in several other places. So my goal in each post-game blog will be to point out things you didn’t see on TV or might have missed while running to the fridge at home or the bathroom at the stadium. Things that made a difference in the game that won’t show up in the box scores.

Tom Brady, who improved to 7-0 against the Jets in the Meadowlands, looked like a QB on the old statue of liberty play in the back yard, standing all alone for several seconds everytime he dropped into the pocket. The only difference was, unlike in the backyard, he was still holding the ball and picking apart the Jets’ secondary like a sharp shooter at a shooting range.

Randy Moss had 9 catches for 183 yards and a touchdown. It seemed like every time he was in the game and they needed a play, he made it.

The Jets’ defense held the Patriots to a 3 and out just one time the entire game, had zero sacks and only one or two questionable “hurries.” These hurries were countered by Brady stepping two feet to the left or right and firing the ball downfield for completions.  Brady’s all-pro day was highlighted by a ten minute drive in the second half that put the final nail in the Jets’ coffin.

Offensively, the Jets’ passing game looked good but the offensive line created no holes for the running backs, who racked up only 60 yards combined. Thomas Jones’ first run as a NY Jet was for a first down. Unfortunately, it was the only highlight of his debut.

Statistics aside, because you can read them anywhere, here are my A’s and F’s for the first game of the season as observed from row 10 of the west end zone lower mezzanine seats.

A ~ Chad Pennington looked better than average (16-21, 2 TD’s) and limped back into a game that was already decided and marched the Jets down the field for a TD. It wasn’t his fault the defensive front 7 was horrible, the special teams weak, or the offensive line couldn’t create holes.

A ~ Laveranues Coles had seven catches and two TD’s and did all that was asked of him.

A ~ The shuttle system from the satellite parking lots must have worked because nearly every seat was full for the opening kickoff. Although seeing the number of people in line for them after the game I’ll be interested to hear how the return trips were, especially after a loss. My guess is those sweltering school buses filled with sunburnt, sweaty, sobering-up, disappointed fans was not nearly as nice as the ride to the stadium.

A ~ The Jets Flight Crew. They look much better than the overweight men who used to run those flags around the field. And the end zone dances took our minds off the game itself ~ something we really needed. The only negative comment I would have is about the uniforms. Spandex is one thing. White spandex something else. Although my 15 year-old son enjoyed it, my guess is there were plenty of people (albeit all women) who were appalled by it. And if they put sneakers on the women instead of high-heeled boots, they would look more like athletes instead of hookers. Come on, wake-up PR department.

F ~ The defensive pass rush was brutal. The only person happy about the D-line’s performance is Raven’s QB Steve McNair, who gets to pick apart the defensive secondary next week while sitting in the pocket for what will seem like days.

F ~ Special teams. Justin Miller fumbled his first kickoff return and although the Jets made the recovery, it was a sign of bad things to come. Mike Nugent’s only kick into the end zone resulted in an NFL-record 108 yard TD return. Clearly the special teams assumed it would not be run out of the end zone. Clearly, there’s a reason you should never assume that. And rest assured, the Jets never will again.

F ~ The pre-game “show.” The singer skipped an entire segment of the national anthem which caused the flyby to be exactly 10 seconds late. That should have been the first sign of things arriving late (like the defensive line). Also, the Jets still haven’t figured out how great it would be to have individuals introduced rather than the team just run onto the field. It doesn’t get any less exciting than that. Once again, Jets PR department, wake up!

F ~ Fireman Ed’s replacement. Nobody seems to know where Ed was, other than missing. There was one lame attempt by a fan to replace him, and fortunately the person who tried it was smart enough to not try it twice. He was brutal. If anyone knows where Ed was, please email me (jonbuzby@hotmail.com).

F ~ The 70% of fans who cheered Pennington as he hopped to the sideline with an injury that would have sent most of us to the emergency room. These fans were voted the worst person in the NFL on Football Night in America.

A ~ The 30% of fans who cheered him when he returned on the very next series. Clearly, the smartest fans in the NFL.

Overall it was a very disappointing opening performance by the Jets. Yes, it’s a long season and only one game. But, unfortunately, seeing the Patriots play this well this early tells us only one thing ~ we are fighting for a wildcard spot.

Jon Buzby is a nationally-syndicated columnist. He can be reached through his website at www.jonbuzby.com.